2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a commanding presence on the road, towering nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The standard Escalade was already impressive, but the Escalade ESV extended the wheelbase by 15 inches, offering even more space. The Escalade was designed for show, appealing to a diverse range of drivers, from pop musicians to large families. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through clever design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality materials, though some components borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from the overall experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more understated design. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models shared a similar appearance with the standard RX 350, with only subtle differences like badges and wheel designs. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its performance-tuned features, including a blacked-out grille and matte-black wheels. The RX's design was not considered gorgeous, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic look with contemporary textures and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury model featured luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for towing up to 8,200 pounds. However, its acceleration felt heavy, and the 10-speed automatic transmission, while responsive, struggled in Sport mode. The Escalade-V addressed this with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, making it the only Escalade with appropriately sized front brakes. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offered better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, with a center differential that locked torque 50:50 front to rear. The magnetic dampers and air suspension improved maneuverability, but wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a more efficient powertrain. The RX 350h produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving an estimated 36 mpg combined. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, its fuel economy was lower at 27 mpg combined. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its athleticism, while the six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning common in hybrids. The RX 350h provided a more secure and comfortable ride, with a lower center of gravity and instant electric motor torque.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension allowed for generous headroom and legroom in all rows, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast infotainment system. Optional features included a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps for easy access. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and efficient interior. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather and standard seat heating and ventilation. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the back seat, resulting in excellent leg support but tight rear headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some rivals.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge infotainment system with a span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed of the road, overlaying directional arrows and street names. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system available, using infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention. The Escalade also offered night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, and the LED headlights were exceptionally bright.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring a credit card for connected services after trial subscriptions expired. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. However, the system had limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. It featured standard forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional safety features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery pack through regenerative braking. The RX also featured a new Traffic Jam Assist system for low-speed, hands-free driving and an available Advanced Park technology for semi-autonomous parking.