While we doubt a ton of people are cross shopping the Lincoln Navigator and Lexus LX 570, these two SUVs may as well be brothers from a different mother. Both are successful takes on the “work truck in a tuxedo” formula, wherein the result is exponentially greater than the sum of their parts. The Navigator and LX are the flagship luxury vehicles for their respective brands, so if you’re looking to present an image of toughness to the world, but in reality just want to be bathed in comfort, these are the trucks for you.

Lexus LX 570

It almost seems unfair to pit the Navigator against the current Lexus LX 570. After all, its J200 Land Cruiser platform has been around since 2007, and an all-new LX is just around the corner. But Lexus is still loaning the LX out to us media types, and as this vehicle will forever be popular due to the fact that it’s a Land Cruiser, it’s not exactly outclassed here. It’s a true body-on-frame SUV, offering the toughness you’d expect from its storied, Toyota-sourced badge. This is also the last Land Cruiser/LX to be powered by a proper V8, which only adds to its desirability.

That V8 is admittedly low-tech. It’s Toyota’s venerable 5.7-liter unit, here pushing out a respectable 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque. But it’s built to last, and will likely outlive your grandchildren. And it’s mated to a much-more-modern 8-speed automatic transmission, which takes all that low-end grunt and transforms it into a gentle forward glide.

After having spent some time in the equally tough, but admittedly agricultural, Lexus GX, we’re shocked at just how refined this LX is. Material selection is superb, with buttery soft leather wrapping every major touch point. The seats look a bit basic, but for the front passengers at least, they hold in all the right places, and are heated and cooled. There’s an excellent refrigerator in the center console, there’s four-zone climate control, and even the outboard second-row seats are heated and cooled.

The driving position feels quite truck like, but the overall experience is serene. Engine, wind and road noise are kept to a minimum, and vibrations can’t seem to find their way into the cabin. Infotainment is controlled via Lexus’ mouse-type-thing, but real buttons and switches give you access to the bulk of the LX’s comfort and off-road modes.

ENGINE: 5.7-liter V8 / POWER: 383 hp, 403 lb-ft / MSRP: starting at $91,930

Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln’s transformation has been one of the feel-good automotive stories to come out of this past decade. Since we’ve been in the biz, we’ve seen Lincoln go from selling slightly warmed-over Fords to crafting a definitive take on American luxury. And nothing screams (or more accurately, strongly whispers) “American Luxury” quite like the current Lincoln Navigator.

This latest Navigator was engineered alongside the Ford F-150, and as such rides on a similar chassis and utilizes aluminum body construction for weight savings. What’s more, this luxury SUV gets the same powertrain as the mighty Ford Raptor.

We doubt anyone will want to yeet the Navi off any dunes. It’s an exquisitely elegant machine, living up to the old-school American ideal of luxury. It’s a true land yacht, massive in size and engineered to just float over the road. And with 510 lb-ft of torque and a 10-speed auto on tap, it’s got the guts to help it devour endless miles of highway.

But where the Navigator shines is its design. Lincoln has created a boutique hotel on wheels, with modern design, high-end materials, and infinitely adjustable massage chairs for the driver and front passenger. If you live your life one interstate at a time, it’s hard to find better.

ENGINE: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 / POWER: 450 hp, 510 lb-ft / MSRP: starting at $91,930

So, which one to get?

Both luxury SUVs are best-in-class, phenomenal machines. And both are built upon long-term, popular platforms, so you’ll never be lacking in parts when it comes to keeping these machines on the road. And these are still fundamentally dead-simple, indestructible work trucks, meaning you’ll be able to fix them with nothing more than a rock should the world suddenly come to an end. But before that happens, getting one new also gets you access to some pretty fancy concierge services, so buying into either one of these means buying into luxury.

Which one to get largely depends on your preference. Here are our thoughts.

Are you leasing?

Get the Navigator. Its on-road driving experience is superior in every way to the Lexus. It’s a newer machine, so it feels more refined. Its cabin feels more open, its greenhouse more airy. And it’s incredibly easy to drive. Lincoln – and Ford for that matter – have mastered making large trucks feel smaller than they are. The Navigator is easy to park, with great sightlines and a tight turning radius. And it never feels cumbersome on the highway, or in traffic. This is the ultimate luxury SUV for the road warrior.

Are you buying?

Get the LX 570. It’s a cruder machine, yes, but at the end of the day, it’s a Toyota Land Cruiser. This thing has a global following like no other, and once the warranty expires, you have a global supply of aftermarket support to transform your luxury SUV into the ultimate Instagram-friendly overlanding rig.

But more seriously, the combined Toyota and Land Cruiser taxes mean that the LX 570 will hold its value for years to come. Its off-road credibility is second to none, and when the pavement ends, it will literally leave the Navigator eating its dust. Damn near nothing is as valuable as a used Toyota truck, so if you’re even the slightest bit concerned with resale, the Lexus LX 570 is your only choice.

Two of a Kind: Lincoln Navigator and Lexus LX 570