2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood as a colossal symbol of luxury and sheer presence. This SUV had an imposing height nearing six-and-a-half feet and required between 18 to 19 feet of length to park. It was equipped with three rows of leather seats and a multitude of advanced computing systems that rivaled a tech command center. The even larger Escalade ESV extended an additional 15 inches, making this already massive vehicle even roomier.

The Escalade, sharing its three-ton body with the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, was designed for those who enjoyed making an entrance. Equipped with thin LED lights and a slightly athletic build, it masked its massive size with clever design, such as the thin lights that visually narrowed the vehicle's girth. The Sport Platinum trim added a sleek touch by darkening chrome bits around the grille, bumpers, and windows. Every trim came with 22-inch wheels and elaborate tail lights, enhancing its bold aesthetic.

Interior-wise, the Escalade exuded richness in the first row with its 38-inch span of OLED screens, various wood trims, and intricate perforation patterns on the leather seats. However, the overall allure diminished as passengers moved toward the back rows, where cheaper GM components became evident. Despite this, the Esclade's driver-focused luxuries remained top-notch.

Contrasting this, the 2023 Lexus RX presented a more refined and dynamic look. The RX appeared smaller thanks to its reduced rear overhang and softer, more elegant design lines. A floating roof effect was achieved through a down-sloping black trim on the rear pillar. Up front, a modern mesh spindle-style grille smoothly transitioned into an elevated hood that swept back into the windshield pillars.

The RX’s styling retained recognition while introducing freshness, particularly when parked next to its predecessor. The redesigned exterior included a light-blade tail light, block lettering, and a sporty-looking bumper. The RX interior showcased modernity with fewer physical controls, emphasizing digital interfaces, like the available 14-inch touchscreen and advanced voice-recognition technology for ease of use. The cabin options were stylish and sophisticated, with materials such as NuLuxe artificial leather, real wood, and aluminum trims, adding a high level of quality buyers expected from Lexus.

Driving the 2023 Cadillac Escalade was an experience of both grandeur and slight compromise. The standard 6.2-liter V8 engine delivered a moderate 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. It wasn't the swiftest, focusing instead on delivering a smooth cruising experience, including cylinder deactivation technology to conserve fuel, achieving a combined 16 mpg with optional 4WD. The Escalade shined in towing, handling up to 8,200 pounds for the RWD version, but felt its substantial weight in passing scenarios.

The Cadillac Escalade-V took performance to another level with a supercharged Corvette V8 engine producing a staggering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. Only this version had appropriately sized six-piston front Brembo brakes, making it more adept at handling its massive weight. For a balance between power and efficiency, Cadillac’s 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 delivered smooth torque immediately and boasted a combined 22 mpg with 4WD.

In terms of maneuverability, the Escalade featured superbly tuned steering and magnetic dampers to control body roll, providing a surprisingly nimble experience for a big SUV. However, at high speeds, the vehicle manifested its truck-based roots with noticeable wind noise.

The Lexus RX 350, tested in both AWD Luxury and F Sport Handling trims, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The RX now offered more torque than the previous V6, performing better at higher altitudes and delivering slightly improved fuel economy. However, the turbo-four didn't sound as smooth and refined as the V6.

On a varied test loop, the RX 350 Luxury demonstrated occasional torque steer and body motion over uneven surfaces, preferring a smooth and comfortable ride. The RX 350 F Sport Handling model, with adaptive damping suspension and sport-oriented settings, exhibited better control and reduced unwanted body motion, providing a more exhilarating drive. The AWD RX 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and had a combined fuel economy estimate of 24 mpg, though real-world results showed slightly lower numbers.

Cadillac’s 2023 Escalade excelled in space efficiency, boasting 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second, and an astonishing 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV outdid even the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L with 143 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. Passengers, even in the third row, enjoyed generous headroom and legroom thanks to an independent rear suspension.

The Escalade’s controls were user-friendly, featuring a combination of touchscreens and tactile knobs. Highlights included an optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps for easy roof access. However, the vehicle lacked powered second-row seats, a minor detriment to its otherwise thoughtfully designed interior.

The 2023 Lexus RX, while comfortable and luxurious, offered less space for cargo. The trunk measured 29.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with them folded down—still not ample for the segment. Both RX 350 variants tested were equipped with comfortable seats, with the Luxury trim adding a touch of sophistication through premium materials like semi-aniline leather.

Though the F Sport Handling model featured sportier aesthetics, both trims shared a high level of comfort. Rear seats provided good leg support and room, but taller occupants might find headroom a bit limiting. Lexus emphasized convenient storage areas, but overall, it couldn’t match the Escalade’s voluminous capacity.

Cadillac’s Escalade was a technological marvel, featuring an expansive OLED screen dash setup with the industry’s sharpest and clearest displays. The front camera’s high-resolution feed enhanced navigation by projecting directional arrows over the road in the driver’s field of view, surpassing similar systems from Mercedes and BMW. Additionally, Super Cruise, Cadillac’s advanced hands-free driving system, stood out with its superior performance, using infrared eye-tracking to monitor driver attention.

For audio enthusiasts, the 36-speaker AKG system immersed passengers in sound, while the front seats provided various massage options. The rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, and the LED headlights ensured clear visibility.

In comparison, the Lexus RX’s new Lexus Interface infotainment system included either a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system introduced functionalities like Intelligent Assistant, responding to voice commands with impressive accuracy. User profiles were another innovative addition, saving settings and preferences for different drivers. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality once adjusted properly. However, usability issues like the inability to view multiple data panels simultaneously were noted.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade achieved mixed results in safety ratings: four out of five stars from NHTSA, with specific areas like front-passenger protection in a frontal crash and rollover resistance scoring lower. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Cadillac's optional Super Cruise further enhanced highway driving safety. However, features like reverse emergency braking needed refinement, as it sometimes misinterpreted obstacles.

Lexus equipped the 2023 RX with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, an extensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. New features included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also introduced semi-autonomous technologies like Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. However, certain elements, like curve-speed reduction and driver monitoring, required adjustments for optimal performance.