Compare the2025 Ford Expedition MaxVS 2025 Lexus LX

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Expedition Max achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus LX has not been tested.

Both the Expedition Max and the LX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

There are almost 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition Max’s warranty.

The Expedition Max has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The LX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Expedition Max’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 31 more horsepower (440 vs. 409) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 479) than the LX 600’s standard 3.4 turbo V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Expedition Max uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The LX requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Expedition Max has 9.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX 700h’s standard fuel tank (27.8 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Expedition Max has 6.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX 600’s standard fuel tank (27.8 vs. 21.1 gallons).

The Expedition Max has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The LX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Expedition Max Platinum Ultimate’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (285/40R24 vs. 265/55R20).

The Expedition Max Platinum Ultimate’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Expedition Max Platinum Ultimate has standard 24-inch wheels. The LX’s largest wheels are only 22-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Expedition Max has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Expedition Max has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Expedition Max flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Expedition Max’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The LX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition Max’s wheelbase is 19.3 inches longer than on the LX (131.5 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Expedition Max is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the LX.

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the LX 600 F Sport Handling pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Expedition Max has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Premium (9.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Expedition Max to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Max’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches).

The front grille of the Expedition Max uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Expedition Max Platinum Stealth uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The LX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Expedition Max’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX.

The Expedition Max’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The Expedition Max’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The LX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX is limited to 8000 pounds. The Expedition Max 4x4 offers up to a 9000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition Max 4x4 can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Expedition Max can be unhitched and driven around locally. The LX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition Max’s available exterior PIN entry system. The LX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition Max is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The LX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition Max owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition Max will cost $4760 to $8135 less than the LX over a five-year period.

The Ford Expedition outsold the Lexus LX by almost 11 to one during 2024.