Compare the2026 Lincoln Navigator LVS 2026 Lexus LX

Both the Navigator L 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and driver alert monitors.

There are almost 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Navigator L’s warranty.

The Navigator L 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 Navigator L’s 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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Navigator L is faster than the LX 700h 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Navigator L 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 Navigator L 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 Navigator L has 6.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX 600’s standard fuel tank (27.8 vs. 21.1 gallons).

The Navigator L 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Navigator L higher (5 out of 10) than the Lexus LX (4). This means the Navigator L produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LX every 15,000 miles.

The Navigator L stops much shorter than the LX:

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

The Navigator L’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 LX 700h Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The Navigator L Black Label’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator L has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX 700h Overtrail. The Navigator L Black Label’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the LX.

For superior ride and handling, the Lincoln Navigator L 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 Navigator L has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Navigator L flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Navigator L’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 Navigator L’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 Navigator L is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the LX.

The Navigator L Black Label handles at .75 G’s, while the LX 700h Overtrail pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Navigator L Black Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the LX 700h Overtrail (26.4 seconds @ .25 average G’s vs. 29.4 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator L has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX (8.9 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Navigator L to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Navigator L’s minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (8.9 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Navigator L 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.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Navigator L 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 LX doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

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

The Navigator L’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 700h Overtrail.

The Navigator L’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 Navigator L’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 Navigator L offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Navigator L 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 L 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 Navigator L’s exterior PIN entry system. The LX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The LX’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Navigator L’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 L 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 LX.

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

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

The Lincoln Navigator outsold the Lexus LX by over five to one during 2024.