2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Lexus GX

Cadillacs used to be the most refined vehicles in the General Motors lineup, but that changed over time. Recently, Cadillac had been working to reverse that trend, and the results were evident in the XT5. The 2021 Cadillac XT5 carried over the 40 upgrades introduced in the 2020 model year, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. The exterior featured a more snub-nosed design with standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a stylish and sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, especially in the Premium Luxury trim.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was designed for those who love black-on-black vehicles. This special edition eradicated almost all chrome from the GX’s exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. However, the GX’s design looked dated, resembling the first-generation 2002 GX 470. Inside, the cabin quality was high, with smooth, silky refinement typical of Lexus. The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but could benefit from additional low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in various driving conditions, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6 AWD version. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40% of the power to the front wheels and 60% to the rear. The GX’s drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to its EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg combined. During testing, the GX returned 16.8 mpg. The GX’s Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while reducing excessive body motions on pavement, making it stable and secure.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat offered good legroom but limited headroom for tall occupants. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared during extended road trips. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV had 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs reduced the width. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing loose items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. The test vehicle’s seats were comfortable, and the interior featured physical controls clearly labeled in white on a matte-black background. Black Line Special Edition models had NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. However, entering the rear seat was tricky due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults. The GX’s cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate made loading difficult.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The climate control system provided haptic feedback via hidden-button functionality. The XT5 had a rotary controller on the center console for infotainment system functionality, though it crowded the screen’s aesthetics. Standard features included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The rear camera mirror was useful at night but distracting during the day. A fully-digital instrument cluster and a head-up display were also available.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface (RTI) touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. A CD player and a Lexus app with smartwatch compatibility were also available. The stereo controls were located at the bottom of the center control panel, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also had Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5’s safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. The XT5 also had a rear-seat reminder, a rearview camera, and Cadillac’s Night Vision technology, which enhanced nighttime drivability. General Motors’ Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.

The 2022 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings due to its age. However, it featured Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors.