Compare the2023 Cadillac XT5VS 2021 Lexus NX Series

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XT5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The NX Series doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The NX Series doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Compared to metal, the XT5’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus NX Series has a metal gas tank.

Both the XT5 and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

	XT5	NX Series
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	147	209
Neck Injury Risk	24%	46%
Neck Stress	188 lbs.	509 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	24 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	213/542 lbs.	480/609 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	287	355
Neck Injury Risk	37%	42%
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	295 lbs.
Neck Compression	53 lbs.	70 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	22/17 lbs.	442/307 lbs.

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

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 Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

	XT5	NX Series
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	112	192
Hip Force	184 lbs.	352 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	183	317
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	49 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
HIC	399	542
Hip Force	799 lbs.	828 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XT5 has a standard 730-amp battery. The NX Series’ 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (235 vs. 194) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 75 more horsepower (310 vs. 235) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 258) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the NX 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	XT5	NX Series
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.4 MPH	90.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XT5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder FWD gets better fuel mileage than the NX 300 FWD (22 city/29 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The NX Series doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the XT5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the NX Series 300h.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series’ standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The XT5 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 NX Series doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT5 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the XT5 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XT5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX Series:

	XT5	NX Series
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	11.1 inches

The XT5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the NX Series are solid, not vented.

The XT5 stops much shorter than the NX Series:

	XT5	NX Series
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XT5 has larger tires than the NX Series (235/65R18 vs. 225/65R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series. The XT5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the NX Series.

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lexus NX Series only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the NX Series (112.5 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the NX Series.

The XT5 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 300h AWD (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XT5 has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (7.8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the XT5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XT5’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the NX 300 (7.8 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NX Series doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the XT5 AWD is quieter than the NX 300 F Sport AWD (68 vs. 69 dB).

Passenger Space

The XT5 has 32.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (104.5 vs. 71.6).

The XT5 has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the NX Series.

Cargo Capacity

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX Series with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 17.7 cubic feet). The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX Series with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

The XT5’s cargo area is larger than the NX Series’ in almost every dimension:

	XT5	NX Series
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	41.5”/75”	36”/71.5”
Max Width	51”	53”
Min Width	41.6”	44.3”
Height	30”	27”

Towing

The XT5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (1000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus NX 300h AWD is only 2000 pounds. The XT5 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The XT5 has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The NX Series doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The NX Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The XT5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX Series’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The XT5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the NX Series. The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the NX Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT5 is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $181 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the XT5 than the NX Series, including $9 less for a water pump, $173 less for a starter, $159 less for fuel injection, $135 less for a fuel pump, $73 less for front struts and $269 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Cadillac XT5 and the Lexus NX Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.