Compare the2023 Cadillac XT5VS 2023 Lexus RX

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 RX doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the XT5 and the RX 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.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XT5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 233 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX has not been fully tested, yet.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 third among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RX isn’t in the top three in its category.

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

Both the XT5 and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All XT5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

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 RX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 17.8 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 RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

For better stopping power the XT5’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

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

The Cadillac XT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 400 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

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 RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT5 has .2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The XT5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The XT5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The XT5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds).

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus RX isn't recommended.