2020 Cadillac XT4 vs 2021 Lexus NX

Cadillac's 2020 XT4 employed a "Y" trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trims. The test vehicle featured Premium Luxury trim, front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior was visually appealing, especially with the 20-inch alloy wheels, and had a crisp, tailored styling. The interior was pleasant with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

The 2021 Lexus NX, available in NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and NX 300h hybrid versions, carried over Lexus's familial design and styling attributes. The NX's sharp design lines and sculpted exterior gave it a familiar appearance, similar to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. The F Sport version, tested for this review, featured sportier elements like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. The interior of the NX F Sport included quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for Circuit Red, Black, and Arctic White/Black color schemes. The material fit and finish were excellent, though the gauge cluster design seemed outdated compared to newer models.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the FWD model achieving an EPA-estimated 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's driving character was lively, thanks to the fat band of torque, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps. However, the oversized wheels offered impressive grip, and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The standard six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but not as smooth as newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with the powertrain getting noisy under hard acceleration. The F Sport model included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically. The NX offered FWD as standard, with AWD available on all trims. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD model had similar figures. The NX's adaptive-suspension system provided a smooth and comfortable driving experience, though the steering lacked feedback. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, with ample legroom but a flat cushion. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, and the climate controls were elegantly arranged. The XT4 offered plenty of storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Lexus NX's interior was upscale and comfortable, with plenty of room for adults in both the front and second-row seats. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the NX offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The cabin was quiet, with minimal road and wind noise. The NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was easier to use than previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could be larger, and the climate system should be integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. The test car did not have a head-up display or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Lexus NX's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The system included HomeLink, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. The Lexus infotainment system was less user-friendly, with functions buried deep in menus and reliance on a touchpad. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system had eight speakers, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system. The NX was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app, which allowed remote control of various functions. Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts and a 10-year subscription was included.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system as standard equipment. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package added automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control was available with the Driver Assist Package, which also included high-speed automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, with "Superior" front crash-prevention technology and an "Acceptable" LATCH system rating. The NHTSA gave the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.