2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, including a new engine option and revised styling, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021. The SUV featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated and stylish appearance. Inside, the XT5's Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a more upscale experience than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, emphasized a minimalist and refined design. The NX's exterior featured a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The interior offered more passenger and cargo space, with NuLuxe simulated leather in most models and real leather in the Luxury trim. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique mesh-pattern grille and sport-bolstered seats. The NX's decluttered dashboard, however, integrated many functions into a 14-inch touchscreen, which could be challenging to use quickly.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came 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 smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, especially in Sport mode. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD or AWD. The NX 350 F Sport offered additional driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 achieved an estimated 25 mpg combined, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though the back seat's headroom was limited for tall occupants. The front seats, despite their appearance, were not as comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs reduced the width. The cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, 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 NX provided more interior room for passengers and cargo, though it felt cozier from the driver’s seat. The NX's front seats, especially in the F Sport trim, offered better bolstering and comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. The Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. The NX offered 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic, providing haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control system included a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments. The XT5 offered a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The infotainment system included a rotary controller, one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, and USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and a head-up display were also offered.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 14-inch screen. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands. The NX offered a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital key capability. The 14-inch touchscreen, however, collected fingerprints and dust and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 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 featured 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 NX came with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also featured an Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.