North Georgia Ford Compares 2019 Ford Expedition Max VS 2019 Lexus LX Near Chatsworth, GA

The Expedition’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Expedition and the LX 570 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 13 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition’s warranty.

The Expedition 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 570 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Expedition first among large SUVs in their 2018 Initial Quality Study. The LX 570 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

The Expedition’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Expedition Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 17 more horsepower (400 vs. 383) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Expedition (base engine) is faster than the Lexus LX 570:

On the EPA test cycle the Expedition gets better fuel mileage than the LX 570:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Expedition’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The LX 570 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Expedition 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 570 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Expedition’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX 570’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Expedition offers optional 22-inch wheels. The LX 570’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Ford Expedition’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lexus LX 570 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Expedition 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 570 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Expedition has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The LX 570’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Expedition’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 570 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition’s wheelbase is 10.3 inches longer than on the LX 570 (122.5 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Expedition is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LX 570.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the LX 570 (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX 570 (9.8 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Expedition may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Lexus LX 570.

The Expedition has 28.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LX 570 (171.9 vs. 143.4).

The Expedition’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570.

The Expedition’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570 Two-Row.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Expedition’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The LX 570 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Expedition’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The LX 570’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Expedition’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Expedition and the LX 570 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Expedition is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The LX 570 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition’s exterior PIN entry system. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The LX 570’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

The Expedition (except XLT)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition will cost $3690 to $4060 less than the LX 570 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition will be $15120 to $32386 less than for the Lexus LX 570.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Expedition third among large SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LX 570 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lexus LX 570 by over 9 to one during the 2018 model year.