Compare the2027 Lincoln Navigator VS 2026 Lexus GX

Both the Navigator and the GX 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, 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all-wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Navigator is safer than the Lexus GX:

	Navigator	GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	25
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
HIC	134	332
Hip Force	569 lbs.	702 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 76 percent more Lincoln dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Navigator’s warranty.

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

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 91 more horsepower (440 vs. 349) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Navigator is faster than the Lexus GX:

	Navigator	GX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	91.1 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Navigator gets better mileage than the GX:

			MPG
Navigator
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	15 city/22 hwy
GX
	AWD	3.4 turbo V6	15 city/21 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Navigator’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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

The Navigator has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX (23.6 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Navigator 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 GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the GX (275/50R22 vs. 265/55R20). The Navigator Reserve/Black Label’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (285/40R24 vs. 265/55R20).

The Navigator’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX 550 Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The Navigator Reserve/Black Label’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the GX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX 550 Overtrail. The Navigator Reserve/Black Label’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the GX.

The Navigator’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 GX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Navigator is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GX.

The Navigator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the GX’s (52.2% to 47.8%). This gives the Navigator more stable handling and braking.

The Navigator Black Label handles at .79 G’s, while the GX 550 Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Navigator Black Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the GX 550 Luxury+ (27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX 550 Premium (9.2 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

The Navigator offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry up to 7.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Navigator when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the tailgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The GX doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

	Navigator	GX
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	10.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	60.8 cubic feet	40.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	107 cubic feet	76.9 cubic feet

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX 550 Overtrail.

	Navigator	GX
Third Seat Folded	60.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	45.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	107 cubic feet	90.5 cubic feet

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Navigator’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The GX doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Navigator 4WD with optional equipment 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 Navigator can be unhitched and driven around locally. The GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Navigator has a higher standard payload capacity than the GX (1360 vs. 1235 lbs.).

The Navigator’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the GX.

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

The GX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Navigator’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Navigator has standard heated front, second and third row seats (third row heated seats on Black Label), which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lexus doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the GX.

The Navigator Reserve/Black Label has standard front air conditioned seats and the Navigator offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Navigator has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GX.

The Navigator has standard massaging front seats. Massaging front seats are only available on the GX Luxury/Overland+. The Navigator Reserve/Black Label also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the GX.

The Navigator’s standard oscillating air vents move back and forth and distribute air evenly inside the vehicle, making everyone more comfortable. The GX doesn’t offer oscillating vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lincoln Navigator has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GX. The Navigator also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The GX doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The GX has never been chosen.