Compare the2025 Lexus RZVS 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac Escalade IQ doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The RZ 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 IQ 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.

Both the RZ and the Escalade IQ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Escalade IQ has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 16th.

The RZ has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Escalade IQ doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The RZ’s optional 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escalade IQ’s 50 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Escalade IQ’s (36.8 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Escalade IQ (7.9 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RZ is 2 feet, 11.1 inches shorter than the Escalade IQ, making the RZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RZ is 8.2 inches narrower than the Escalade IQ, making the RZ easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The RZ is 11.7 inches shorter in height than the Escalade IQ, making the RZ much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Escalade IQ with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 23.6 cubic feet).

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 14% lower rating, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

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

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.