2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 aimed to restore the brand's status in General Motors' lineup through design refinements. Updated in 2020, the XT5 received 40 upgrades, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. This model showcased a snub-nosed exterior with distinct trim levels and a stylish posterior akin to other XT-named vehicles. Standard LED lights both at the front and rear, combined with 20-inch wheels, accentuated its robust yet refined proportions.

Inside, the XT5, especially in the Premium Luxury trim, exuded elegance rivaling even the Escalade. The car featured cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, creating an upscale atmosphere. Horizontal design lines simplified the traditionally busy GM style, favoring straightforward materials thoughtfully arranged throughout the cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX showcased Lexus’ familial design with sharp lines and sculpted exterior akin to its smaller sibling, the UX, and larger RX. With dimensions similar to the Toyota RAV4, it featured standard power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The NX F Sport model added sportier elements, including a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, laser fog light housing, and 18-inch F Sport wheels.

Inside, the NX F Sport version boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats and exclusive interior color options like Circuit Red. Lexus ensured excellent material fit and finish, familiar gauge clusters with 3D speedometer and tachometer displays, a 4.2-inch multi-information display, and an optional G-Force meter. However, the overall design, while functional, appeared a bit dated compared to newer competitors.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth upshifts but somewhat clunky downshifts.

In Sport mode, the shifts felt jitterier. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but lacked low-end torque. Front-wheel drive was standard in Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, while all-wheel drive was available. The XT5 AWD achieved about 25 mpg, outperforming its 21 mpg combined EPA estimate. The FWD base engine got 23 mpg combined, and AWD versions achieved 21 mpg.

On the other hand, the 2021 Lexus NX, although not designed for sportiness, proved capable. Both the NX 300 and 300 F Sport shared a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the NX accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about seven seconds. While the powertrain could get noisy under hard acceleration, the ride was relatively quiet overall.

Front-wheel drive was standard, but AWD was an option. The NX’s AWD system, however, lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy for FWD models was EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. AWD models achieved similar city/highway numbers but had a slightly lower combined rating of 24 mpg.

The F Sport's adaptive-suspension system could make up to 650 instant adjustments, promising a smoother ride, but the steering remained numb with limited feedback. Lexus equipped the NX with three drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—that subtly altered the throttle response and steering curve.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 comfortably seated four adults in two rows, with a technically five-seat capability thanks to a three-seat bench in the second row. While legroom was sufficient, taller rear-seat occupants found headroom lacking. The front seats, despite their appearance, proved uncomfortable on long trips due to hard bottom cushions. Heated front seats were standard, with automatic climate-responsive ventilation or heating when the car started.

The XT5 had a reasonable 30 cubic feet of cargo space, although less than the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus. The deep rear cargo area could be utilized effectively despite wheel bump-outs that reduced its width. The cargo-management system and a programmable height liftgate added practicality. However, for small-item storage, the XT5 was lacking, with no good place for phones in view and limited cubby space.

Lexus NX’s interior focused on comfort and style, particularly discounting the center stack. Front seats provided ample space for adults, and the second-row seats accommodated two adults comfortably. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats added versatility. Engine noise could filter into the cabin, but road and wind noise did not, maintaining a serene environment.

Cargo space in the NX was limited. Behind the second-row seats, it offered 17.7 cubic feet, expanding to 54.6 cubic feet when folded down, positioning it among the smallest in its class. Optional power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats added convenience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured an elegant design for its infotainment system, set within Piano Black plastic that provided haptic feedback through hidden buttons. The tri-zone automatic climate control used a chrome toggle switch for front-seat adjustments, though it often ran colder than indicated. Rear-seat occupants had separate controls. Available features included a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and sliding/reclining rear seats with 60/40 split-folding capability.

Cadillac streamlined the infotainment functionality with a rotary controller, 8-inch screen, one-touch phone pairing, Bose sound system, wireless charging, and USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Options included a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system. The rear camera mirror, while useful at night, proved distracting during the day.

The 2021 Lexus NX raised its infotainment screen high on the dashboard, far from the driver. An 8-inch screen was standard, with a 10.3-inch option available as part of the Navigation package. This package added predictive traffic information, ETA calculations, and fuel station guidance, new HomeLink integration, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist.

Standard features on the NX included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. Lexus Premium Audio with eight speakers was standard, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker system on the top-tier NX. The car supported the Lexus Enform Remote app, offering remote start/stop, climate adjustment, and other vehicle monitoring features. Lexus Enform Services Connect allowed for maintenance alerts with a complimentary 10-year subscription.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of non-intrusive safety features including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The car’s system did not overly invade driving but provided adequate alerts. Standard safety features included a rearview camera and rear-seat reminder. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime driving visibility, showing hazards before headlights illuminated them. General Motors’ Teen Driver software allowed parental control over vehicle features and provided a driving habits report card.

For the 2021 Lexus NX, Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 was standard, featuring a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional extras included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights.

The NX earned top safety scores from the IIHS, including "Good" ratings in all crash tests, "Superior" front crash-prevention technology, and "Acceptable" for LATCH system ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus offered a competitive warranty package with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.