Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2025 Cadillac XT4

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Cadillac XT4 has not been tested.

The NX’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 XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the NX and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Lexus NX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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 Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 31 points higher than the XT4 and the Lexus NX is rated 50 points higher than the XT4.

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’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (240 vs. 235) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (275 vs. 235) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 450h+ AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 69 more horsepower (304 vs. 235) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

As tested in Consumer Reports the NX 450h+ AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Cadillac XT4 2.0:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the XT4:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XT4:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The XT4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The NX has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 450h with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

The NX stops shorter than the XT4:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XT4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (7.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The NX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the XT4 (8.1 vs. 6.7 inches).

The NX has 1.8 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear hip room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The NX’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in every dimension:

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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.

The NX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The XT4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The NX 350/350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The XT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 57.75% to 60.19% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 52.41% to 53.95%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus NX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Lexus NX outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over three to one during 2024.