2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented itself with a polished exterior, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and a sleek Stellar Black paint job. Inside, the Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior exuded a sense of luxury, reminiscent of a formal black-tie event. The XT6's design was conservative, with towering front running lights and simple vertical taillights that aligned with Cadillac's traditional styling. Despite its premium materials and sophisticated driving assistance technology, the interior felt more akin to a standard GM crossover, lacking the distinctiveness expected in a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX maintained a modern and sporty design, with sharp character lines and angular features that were both eye-catching and restrained. The RX offered a variety of trims, including the performance-oriented F Sport, which added sporty elements like 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia. Inside, the RX continued its luxury appeal with a range of color combinations and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the driving position was less than ideal, with seats that lacked comfort and adjustability.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 came with two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 235 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower. The V6, available in Premium Luxury and Sport trims, provided sufficient power but lacked the turbocharged punch found in some competitors. The XT6 offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with driving modes like Tour and Sport. While the XT6 was competent in handling and provided a quiet ride, it wasn't particularly engaging to drive. Fuel economy for the V6 AWD model was rated at 21 mpg combined, with real-world testing showing slightly lower results.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower, while the hybrid RX 450h combined a V6 with electric motors for 308 horsepower. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available for the RX 350 and standard on the hybrid. Despite the F Sport trim's performance-oriented branding, the RX lacked sporty driving dynamics, with an engine note that was more subdued than expected. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel economy for the RX 350 was 23 mpg combined, with the hybrid achieving 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior was narrower than expected, with comfortable front seats but limited adjustability. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was modest, with 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage options were decent but unremarkable.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space, with only 7.45 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. With seats folded, cargo capacity increased to 58.48 cubic feet. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the rear seats didn't fold completely flat, and the cargo load-in height was high.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered advanced features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision, and Super Cruise, but lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with intuitive voice recognition. However, usability issues arose from touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive controls. The available Bose audio system was impressive, but the head-up display was small.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. The screen's positioning created access issues, and the touchpad was frustrating to use. Despite these challenges, the RX offered a range of tech features, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 featured a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The standout feature was Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving-assist system. While impressive, it had limitations in certain conditions. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional headlights but missed the top-tier designation. It received four stars overall from the NHTSA.