2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its bulk, evoking the grandeur of classic Cadillacs. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive, emphasizing the vehicle's substantial presence. The Escalade's 22-inch wheels appeared small against the vast expanse of sheet metal, but the overall styling set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. Different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models added to its appeal, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim and wheels, while the Sport trim had darkened trim and a mesh grille.

Inside, the Escalade offered luxury features like leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme. While the materials were generally high-quality, some cheap-looking plastic bits detracted from the overall impression. The Escalade's interior didn't have a distinctive design to match competitors like the Lincoln Navigator, which boasted a midcentury-modern-inspired look. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade's interior was spacious and well-equipped, making it a comfortable place to spend time.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, presented a more refined and contemporary look. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its Iridium (silver) exterior and 21-inch wheels, looked identical to the standard RX 350, save for the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model stood out with its Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling details. The RX's design, while not traditionally beautiful, was modern and functional, with a cleaner, more minimalistic interior. The new Lexus Interface infotainment system was a significant improvement, and the RX featured contemporary textures and detailing, along with backlit ambient lighting.

Inside, the RX 350h Luxury model featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The RX's interior was comfortable and well-appointed, with features like ten-way power-adjustable front seats, seat heating and ventilation, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX's interior design and materials were a step up from the previous model, making it a more appealing choice for luxury SUV buyers.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivetrains. The Escalade-V performance model, available in 2023, featured a 682-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, and its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels made it less comfortable than unibody SUVs like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain for the RX 350h, based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. The RX 350h was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving and could accelerate to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but was expected to get no better than 27 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering, making it more fun to drive. However, accessing the drive modes required navigating through the infotainment system, which could be cumbersome.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous cabin. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV version was 227 inches long. The Escalade offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. Cargo space was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the front seats, while adjustable and equipped with massage and lumbar support, felt like they could have come from one of the Escalade’s GM cousins.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and well-appointed interior. The RX 350h Luxury model featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids’ battery packs were housed underneath the back seat, resulting in excellent leg support for rear passengers but tight headroom. The RX had decent storage space, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. This was a significant improvement over the previous model but still fell short compared to some rivals.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward to use, and the rotary controller seemed like an afterthought. The Escalade’s OLED screens provided unparalleled resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard but difficult to tune properly.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, Lexus Interface, which required a subscription for connected services after the complimentary trial. The system included Service Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, with a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. The touchscreen was large but could only display one menu at a time, and the screen suffered from reflections. The RX also had an available head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting to use. The new Traffic Jam Assist system allowed for low-speed, hands-free driving, and Advanced Park was available for semi-autonomous parking.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist tech, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (front and rear), front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trim levels, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on Premium Luxury Platinum trims and above. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and used a driver-facing camera to check for distraction. While the system occasionally disengaged for unknown reasons, it provided smooth and natural responses. However, the IIHS and NHTSA did not publish safety ratings for this model year.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist automatically slowed the RX when the accelerator pedal was released, maintaining a safe following distance and recharging the battery pack in hybrid models. The front cross-traffic alert system provided visual indicators on the HUD, but these were not visible with polarized sunglasses. The curve-speed reduction tech was reactive rather than proactive, and the driver monitoring system could be blocked by a driver’s forearm. The new Traffic Jam Assist system allowed for low-speed, hands-free driving, and Advanced Park was available for semi-autonomous parking.