Compare the2023 Lexus NXVS 2023 Cadillac XT4

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus NX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Cadillac XT4 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The NX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the XT4.

Both the NX and XT4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the NX offers optional Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic.

The NX’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 XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the NX and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the NX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

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 Lexus NX’s reliability 32 points higher than the XT4 and the Lexus NX Hybrid is rated 54 points higher than the XT4.

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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 17th.

The NX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (240 vs. 235) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (275 vs. 235) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 450h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (302 vs. 235) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Cadillac XT4 2.0:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the XT4:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XT4:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The XT4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the NX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The NX stops shorter than the XT4:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XT4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For greater off-road capability the NX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (7.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The NX has 1.8 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear hip room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The NX’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in every dimension:

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 NX’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 XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The NX has a standard locking fuel and charge port 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 XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The XT4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The XT4 (except Luxury)’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The NX’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 NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 49.01% to 51.34% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 45.4% to 45.5%.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX 350h as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Lexus NX outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over two to one during 2022.