Compare the2023 Cadillac XT4VS 2023 Lexus UX

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the XT4 and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT4 is safer than the Lexus UX:

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 XT4 is safer than the Lexus UX:

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

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 XT4’s warranty.

The XT4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (235 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Cadillac XT4 is faster than the Lexus UX:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT4’s fuel efficiency. The UX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the XT4 and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The XT4 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (15.9 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT4 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (16.3 vs. 10.6 gallons).

The XT4 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 UX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

The XT4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

The XT4 stops much shorter than the UX:

For better traction, the XT4 has larger standard tires than the UX (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18). The XT4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (245/45R20 vs. 225/50R18).

The XT4’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT4 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The XT4 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The UX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The XT4 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The XT4 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The UX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT4’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the UX (109.4 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT4 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The XT4 Sport AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the UX 250h F Sport Handling AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XT4 Sport AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the UX 250h F Sport Handling AWD (26.3 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The front grille of the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT4 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The UX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The XT4 has 10.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (101.3 vs. 90.4).

The XT4 has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 6.4 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The XT4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (22.5 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The XT4 has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT4 uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The XT4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The XT4’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The UX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the XT4 and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the XT4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The XT4 Luxury’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the XT4 and the UX offer optional heated front seats. The XT4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the UX.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the XT4 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT4 will cost $95 to $1500 less than the UX over a five-year period.

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