Compare the2025 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2024 Lexus LX

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade (except Luxury) 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 LX doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and the LX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

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 Escalade’s warranty.

The Escalade has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The LX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Escalade has a standard 800-amp battery. The LX’s 776-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade second among large premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The LX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 11 more horsepower (420 vs. 409) than the LX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac Escalade uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The LX requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Escalade has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX (24 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escalade 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 LX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

The Escalade stops shorter than the LX:

For better traction, the Escalade has larger standard tires than the LX (275/50R22 vs. 265/55R20). The Escalade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (285/40R24 vs. 265/55R20).

The Escalade’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX Premium/Luxury’s 65 series tires. The Escalade’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX Premium/Luxury. The Escalade’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the LX.

The Escalade 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 LX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Cadillac Escalade has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Escalade has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escalade flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the LX (120.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the LX.

For greater off-road capability the Escalade has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Base/Premium (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Escalade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Escalade Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (10 vs. 8.3 inches).

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

The Escalade (except Luxury) offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The LX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD is quieter than the LX 600 F Sport (66 vs. 68 dB).

The Escalade’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX.

The Escalade’s cargo area is larger than the LX’s in almost every dimension:

The Escalade’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX is limited to 8000 pounds. The Escalade offers up to a 8100 lbs. towing capacity.

The Escalade 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escalade can be unhitched and driven around locally. The LX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Escalade has a much higher standard payload capacity than the LX (1570 vs. 1285 lbs.).

The Escalade has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the LX (1580 vs. 1285 lbs.).

The Escalade’s available power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The LX doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The LX’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Escalade’s standard 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 Escalade Platinum has standard massaging front and optional massaging second row seats. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX.

The Escalade’s Adaptive Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Escalade is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The LX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Escalade owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escalade will cost $4350 to $7520 less than the LX over a five-year period.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its June 2022 issue and they ranked the Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD first. They ranked the Lexus LX 600 F Sport fourth.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade second among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LX isn’t in the top three.

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the Lexus LX by almost six to one during 2023.