2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 struck an intriguing balance between futuristic and traditional design elements. It was positioned somewhere between the high-tech angularity of the Lexus NX and the more classic stylings seen in vehicles such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The XT5 showcased Cadillac's signature design cues, which included a commanding grille, and daytime running lights that extended downward past the headlights. Additionally, the vertical taillights were a subtle nod to older Cadillac models. Despite these iconic features, the XT5’s compact stature and heightened profile resulted in a somewhat clumsy appearance. It was unmistakably a Cadillac, although not one of the more elegantly designed ones.

Cadillac adopted a distinctive trim scheme for the XT5, with both the Premium Luxury and Sport models featuring unique exterior touches to underscore their individual personalities. The Premium Luxury trim boasted a generous amount of bright chrome, lending it a more traditional Cadillac look. Alternatively, the Sport trim was adorned with darker accents and a mesh grille, subtly hinting at performance without crossing any boundaries. Standard equipment included 18-inch alloy wheels for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, while the Sport models came equipped with 20-inch wheels. Cadillacs also offered Onyx and Radiant styling packages, providing options of dark and bright chrome respectively, and included 20-inch wheels.

The interior of our test car felt appropriately luxurious, predominantly due to the optional Platinum Package that embellished it with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped dashboard and door trims, a microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. These features were available on both the Premium Luxury and Sport models. The overall interior lacked a defining design theme. Unlike the Volvo XC60’s Swedish minimalism, the Lincoln Corsair’s Midcentury Modern aesthetic, or the Genesis GV70’s Steampunk look, the XT5’s interior didn't make a strong, unique statement. It also lacked distinct brand features that are commonly seen in Audi, BMW, or Mercedes models, making it easy to forget one was sitting in a Cadillac.

Conversely, the 2022 Lexus RX continued its run with a modern, sporty design that was established with its 2020 model-year facelift. The RX was offered in base 350, F Sport, and L trims for the gasoline variants, with a hybrid model identified as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport catered to five passengers, while the L signified a three-row, seven-passenger option. Compared to its key competitors in the midsize luxury crossover category, like the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the RX was noted for its aggressive styling.

The exterior of the RX was dominated by razor-sharp character lines that stopped just short of being excessive. This restraint resulted in a design language that was both satisfying and attention-grabbing, even in subtler paint options like Nebula Gray Pearl, as seen on our RX 350 F Sport test vehicle. New colors for 2022 included Cloudburst Gray and Iridium, with F Sport models also adding Grecian Water to the palette, bringing the total to seven attractive paint choices.

The F Sport trim, as anticipated, presented the most athletic appearance. While the base and L models came with 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights, the F Sport trim upgraded to 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trims, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. Both the front and rear bumpers on the F Sport models differed from those of the base and L versions, adding a touch of subtle sportiness to the high-fashion exterior.

The RX's interior followed a similar narrative. The RX F Sport added sporty features like model-specific badging, Scored Aluminum trim, pedals, and footrests, coupled with NuLuxe synthetic leather in either black or dark red. Other RX models offered nearly a dozen color combinations with the option of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats and a mix of metal and wood trim. Despite the high quality of soft-touch surfaces and hard plastics, the center stack felt somewhat dated, likely due to the dense array of buttons and unchanged structure since the 2020 refresh. However, the new infotainment touchscreens were a welcome upgrade positioned atop the center stack.

In terms of comfort, the NuLuxe seats in the RX F Sport were less than satisfactory. The driver's seat lacked a cushioned layer and comprehensive lumbar support, making the ride less comfortable. Furthermore, it took multiple attempts behind the wheel to find an ideal driving position, and even then, we often felt too close to the steering wheel.

The Black Line trim of the RX was geared towards those who prioritized high-end looks over handling. Limited to 2,500 units in North America, the Black Line was offered in both gas (RX 350) and hybrid (450h) versions with Premium Package plus black-colored exclusivities on the grille, outside mirrors, lower front bumper, wood interior trim, NuLuxe seats, and badging, augmented by contrast gray stitching throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured two powertrains. The base engine, standard across the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. Meanwhile, the 3.6-liter V6 that churned out 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque was standard on the XT5 Sport and optional on the XT5 Premium Luxury trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

In our Premium Luxury test model, which came equipped with the optional V6, acceleration felt satisfactorily brisk. It was not designed to rival Cadillac’s V-Series performance models, but the XT5 V6 provided ample power for daily driving. We were particularly impressed by the linear power delivery of the V6 and the smooth, prompt shifts from the nine-speed automatic transmission. The transmission, despite having numerous gears, didn’t suffer from the common issue of hunting for the right gear or delaying downshifts when the accelerator was pressed hard.

Our test vehicle also included the Platinum Package, which featured a "performance suspension" with adaptive dampers. Contrary to what the name might suggest, this suspension setup excelled in providing a smooth, comfortable ride suitable for relaxed driving, a hallmark of traditional luxury cars. It effectively absorbed bumps while maintaining excellent body control to prevent excessive bouncing and sway.

The steering, akin to the suspension, was tuned for a luxury ride. It had a quick ratio that made the XT5 feel agile without being excessively sensitive, requiring minimal corrections to stay on course. Lastly, the cabin's quietness was another testament to the XT5’s luxury credentials, creating a serene driving environment.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 308 horsepower. All RX models deployed an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the RX 350, with all-wheel drive available as an option, while the RX 450h came exclusively with all-wheel drive.

Despite its outwardly sporty appearance, the Lexus RX’s real-world performance was underwhelming. The engine emitted a hum more reminiscent of a four-cylinder than a V6 and could be quite subdued. The acceleration felt lethargic, as though the vehicle was slowly waking from a deep sleep, and it often lacked assertiveness during driving.

The F Sport model included front and rear performance dampers and, with the additional F Sport Handling package, borrowed adaptive variable suspension from the LC500 sports car, included a sound generator, sport steering, and the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. Also, the drive mode options included Sport+ alongside Eco, Normal, and Sport. Hybrid models came with an EV mode.

While drive modes were meant to alter throttle response, gearing, and steering, the differences between Normal and Sport/Sport+ modes were minimal. Only the transition from Eco to Normal was noticeably distinct. Sport and Sport+ seemed more like branding aspirations than actual performance improvements, even with the paddle shifters. Consequently, Normal mode became our default because it was the most balanced setting.

Where the RX shone was in comfort and quietness. The vehicle effortlessly absorbed bumps and rough patches, creating the impression that every road was recently repaved. Even though the engine sound was not thrilling, the overall cabin noise isolation contributed to a serene driving experience, making the RX a pleasant companion on long journeys.

Regarding fuel efficiency, the 2022 RX 350 delivered 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined per EPA estimates. Models with all-wheel drive or the three-row L configuration saw a minor decrease of 1 mpg across these metrics, with the 350L AWD being the least efficient at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The hybrid RX 450h provided a significant improvement, achieving 30 mpg combined (31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway), with the 450L seeing a slight drop to 29 mpg city but maintaining 30 mpg combined thanks to highway efficiency.

When it came to interior space, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 held its own against major German luxury crossovers. It offered more front headroom compared to the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, although it trailed the BMW X3. However, it lagged behind all three German models in rear headroom. Legroom figures were more favorable for the XT5, offering more space in both rows, although it fell short of its American counterpart, the Lincoln Corsair, in front legroom.

The seats of the XT5 were fairly comfortable but left room for improvement. The front seats featured narrow bottom cushions that could benefit from additional padding, and the rear seats needed more cushioning overall. While the seating would be commendable in a mainstream SUV, it fell slightly short of luxury-vehicle standards.

Cargo space in the XT5 was quite competitive. Cadillac quoted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded down. These figures surpassed the cargo capacities of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, although the Infiniti QX50 offered more cargo room with both rear seats up and down. A hands-free power liftgate was available, adding a touch of convenience.

For small storage, Cadillac included a handy cubbyhole below the touchscreen, which was useful for items like loose change or a small bottle of hand sanitizer. However, the center console space was somewhat limited due to the presence of a rotary controller for the infotainment system and the shifter.

In contrast, the two-row 2022 Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably accommodating four adults, though the middle seat in the rear was best for short trips. The front seats offered 39.4 inches of headroom and 44.1 inches of legroom, while the rear seats provided 39.1 inches of headroom and 38.0 inches of legroom.

Three-row L models shared the same wheelbase as the two-row versions, making them cramped for passengers and more suitable for carrying groceries. The RX 350L came with a standard 2/3/2 seating configuration, with an option for second-row captain’s chairs, which were standard on the 450h L.

Cargo capacity in the RX was somewhat limited compared to the XT5. The two-row RX offered 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. In the three-row variants, cargo capacity dropped to 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down. Importantly, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made it less convenient for hauling larger items.

The RX’s interior featured thoughtful additions like a dedicated smartphone slot within the center console, an adjustable-height cup holder, a quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net to secure items.

In technology, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 included a standard 8-inch touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available via the optional Technology Package.

Although usability was a significant improvement over previous Cadillac systems, the XT5’s tech was merely adequate compared to competitors offering larger screens, sleeker graphics, or more sophisticated voice-recognition capabilities. The array of secondary controls posed some challenges. The rotary controller did not simplify interactions, and the buttons scattered on the center console were hard to locate while driving. Capacitive touchpads were included but were poorly placed and lacked physical feedback, making it hard to confirm successful inputs.

The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system produced good sound, but the optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent audio quality, especially appreciated in the quiet interior of the XT5.

The Lexus RX matched its rival with an 8-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, and an optional 12.3-inch display. Despite Lexus attempting to make the touchscreens more driver-friendly by moving them 5.5 inches closer during the 2020 refresh, the positioning remained ergonomically troublesome.

The screens were housed within a cove atop the center stack, creating a lip that partially blocked bottom-positioned icons. This layout forced drivers to tap down on the screen, sometimes hitting the wrong settings due to the awkward angle.

If the touchscreen wasn’t sufficiently responsive, alternatives like voice commands and a touchpad were available. While voice commands were useful mainly with specific instructions, the touchpad was infuriatingly hypersensitive and unintuitive, proving difficult to use both while parked and driving. Misinterpreting the drive mode selector for an infotainment control knob added to the confusion.

However, the RX wasn’t devoid of useful tech features. It offered six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- or tri-zone climate control, various premium audio systems (nine, 12, and 15 speakers), navigation with cloud-based updates, heated and ventilated seats across both rows, and more. The Lexus App facilitated remote engine start, vehicle settings adjustments, and service scheduling, adding a layer of customization and convenience.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 excelled in safety features, providing a comprehensive suite of standard systems. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The XT5 also featured Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated when a warning system was activated.

An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking, while the Technology Package introduced rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available but the more advanced Super Cruise driver-assist technology, present in other Cadillac models, was not included for the XT5.

The 2022 XT5 achieved top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a top “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech (with the optional enhanced automatic emergency braking). Nonetheless, it received a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” score for child seat anchor ease of use from IIHS. NHTSA awarded the XT5 a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash testing.

For the 2022 Lexus RX, the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ came standard, incorporating advanced driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping and lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams.

Additional standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which offered GPS vehicle tracking in the event of an accident or theft. The Lexus app provided added benefits like Collision Assistance for documenting and filing accident reports.

The 2022 RX earned a Top Safety Pick title from IIHS, contingent on the optional triple-beam LED headlights. It missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation due to its headlights rating. Similarly, NHTSA gave the RX four out of five stars overall, with perfect scores in side crash tests but four stars in frontal crash and rollover resistance areas. Despite its near-decade-old architecture, the RX maintained competitive safety credentials against newer models.