Compare the2023 Lexus GXVS 2023 Cadillac XT6

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac XT6 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lexus GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT6 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The GX has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XT6 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX. But it costs extra on the XT6.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GX’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The GX’s 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 XT6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GX and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Lexus GX weighs 436 to 830 pounds more than the Cadillac XT6. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GX’s reliability 63 points higher than the XT6.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Cadillac is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8 produces 66 more horsepower (301 vs. 235) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (329 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8 produces 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (329 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

The GX has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the XT6 FWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 19 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GX has a gallon more fuel capacity than the XT6 AWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 22 gallons).

For better stopping power the GX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

The GX stops much shorter than the XT6:

For better traction, the GX has larger tires than the XT6 (265/60R18 vs. 235/55R20).

The GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT6’s standard 65 series tires.

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XT6; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The GX has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XT6 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The GX 460 Luxury has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XT6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For greater off-road capability the GX has a 1.45 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (8.1 vs. 6.65 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The GX is 6.4 inches shorter than the XT6, making the GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GX has .5 inches more front legroom, 6.4 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more third row hip room and 1 inch more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle seats and third row seats (except Base/Black Line Edition) recline. The XT6’s third row seats don’t recline.

The GX’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

The GX has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The XT6 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the right swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XT6’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (6500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The engine in the GX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT6. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Cadillac. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 17% lower rating, Cadillac is ranked second.

The GX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT6’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the GX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT6 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT6 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the GX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XT6’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The XT6 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The XT6’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GX’s optional 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 GX has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GX will cost $2005 to $2935 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The GX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GX will retain 46.1% to 47.91% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 43.43% to 43.61%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GX is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $437 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the GX than the XT6, including $46 less for a water pump, $196 less for a muffler, $64 less for front brake pads, $2 less for fuel injection and $49 less for front struts.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT6 isn't recommended.

The Lexus GX outsold the Cadillac XT6 by 36% during the 2021 model year.