Ford Expedition vs Lexus GX

The 2025 Ford Expedition was a testament to the form-over-function design ethos, reminiscent of a modern school bus but with a more attractive flair. Its slab sides and rectilinear silhouette ensured no compromise on interior space, offering ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The Expedition's bold grille, framed by horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights, spanned the entire width of the fascia, giving it a commanding presence. The profile was simple, with a distinct character line running from the headlights to the taillights, and a range of wheel designs from 18 to 24 inches added to its appeal. The rear featured a new split-gate tailgate, replacing the traditional liftgate, which provided practical benefits like preventing luggage spillage and offering a convenient resting spot when parked.

The 2025 Lexus GX, redesigned for the 2024 model year, presented a striking departure from its predecessor. Its boxy shape evoked old-school Land Rover vibes, with a brawny facial expression accentuated by LED headlights and a large grille. The GX 550 Overtrail+ test vehicle featured 33-inch tires on matte grey 18-inch wheels, a raised ride height, and rock rails, all wrapped in a fitting brown colour called Earth. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with clean and elegant switchgear, quality plastic trim, and a chic dashboard design. The seats, a mix of stitched black and tan faux leather, offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, while the head-up display was perfectly adjustable. Overall visibility was excellent, thanks to tall windows and the elevated ride height.

The 2025 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque in its standard form. The Tremor trim, however, boasted a high-output version with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 2,628-kilogram curb weight, the Expedition's powertrain effortlessly handled highway speeds, making it ideal for long drives. The ten-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the multi-link rear suspension ensured a comfortable ride even on rough terrain. The Tremor trim, replacing the Timberline, offered increased ground clearance and improved off-road angles, making it suitable for adventurous outings. However, its fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 15.4 L/100 km in the city and 10.7 on the highway.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, allowed the GX to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds. The GX's performance was robust, with ample power throughout the rev band, making highway merges effortless. Its fuel economy, however, was less impressive, with ratings of 15.3 L/100 km in the city and 11.2 on the highway. The GX's chassis, featuring adaptive dampers and a double-wishbone suspension, provided a surprisingly athletic feel for its size. Off-road, the GX excelled, with features like a locking centre differential and downhill assist control, making it a formidable off-road contender.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 4,350 kilograms, surpassing the Chevrolet Tahoe's 3,810 kilograms. Inside, the Expedition offered generous cargo space, with 611 litres behind the third row in the standard model, expanding to 1,022 litres in the Expedition Max. With all rear seats down, the Expedition provided up to 3,072 litres of space, while the Expedition MAX offered 3,485 litres. The minimalist interior design featured touch-sensitive trackpads on the steering wheel and touchscreen-based climate controls, which some users might find too high-tech for a large SUV.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a spacious interior, with front headroom measuring 1,001 millimetres and rear headroom at 1,095 mm. Legroom was ample, with 1,047 mm up front and 933 mm in the second row. The GX's cargo space was impressive, with 291 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,138 litres with the third row stowed, and 2,177 litres with both rows folded. The Overtrail packages, without a third row, offered up to 2,563 litres of space. The GX's overall dimensions made it easier to park in tight spaces, with a width of 1,999 millimetres and a length of 5,005 mm.

The 2025 Ford Expedition featured a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, offering a Google Maps projection and a selectable widget. The steering wheel's flattened "squircle" shape was unconventional but functional. The 13.2-inch touchscreen, part of the Ford Digital Experience, required an active cellular data plan for full functionality, with options for a subscription or one-time purchase. Without the Ford Connectivity Package, the tech was limited, but wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were available.

The 2025 Lexus GX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen offering smooth operation and intuitive menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, with a Mark Levinson Premium Audio system available on higher trims. Six USB-C ports provided connectivity and charging options, while the Executive and Overtrail+ packages included cooling armrest storage.

The 2025 Ford Expedition had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS ratings were based on the 2023 model. However, it came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts. BlueCruise 1.4 was available on all trims, offering hands-free driving capabilities with a subscription.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, road sign assist, lane-departure alert, automatic high-beams, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. The Overtrail+ trim included pedestrian detection. A 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras enhanced visibility. The GX had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but included 10 airbags for occupant protection.