Compare the2023 Lexus LXVS 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Cadillac Escalade ESV doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lexus LX 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 Escalade ESV doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The LX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

The LX has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LX has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport has a rear cross-path warning system.

The LX’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 Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the LX and the Escalade ESV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and around view monitors.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the LX has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade ESV.

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 LX’s reliability 23 points higher than the Escalade ESV.

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 LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 460) than the Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8.

On the EPA test cycle the LX gets better mileage than the Escalade ESV:

The LX 600 F Sport handles at .75 G’s, while the Escalade ESV Sport 4WD pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (39.4 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The LX is 2 feet, 2.5 inches shorter than the Escalade ESV, making the LX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LX’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade ESV’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escalade ESV’s (8000 vs. 7800 pounds).

While the Escalade ESV 4WD Diesel can only tow 7700, any LX can tow a minimum of 8000 pounds.

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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LX has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the LX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the LX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Both the LX and the Escalade ESV offer available massaging front seats. The LX Ultra Luxury also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Escalade ESV.