2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, yet it distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. It presented an upscale appearance, contrasting with the Grand Highlander's resemblance to a larger RAV4. The test model, featuring Luxury trim, boasted striking 22-inch silver wheels, an expensive option that significantly enhanced its visual appeal. The TX's styling was more subdued compared to other Lexus models, resulting in a conservative, almost anonymous look. This design approach might have appealed to those previously put off by Lexus's bolder aesthetics. The 2024 Lexus TX was available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid series, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350, including a $1,350 destination charge. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered both FWD and AWD options. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950, including destination, and featured several packages and upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $67,869. The interior, though dark, was luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge, with premium materials and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV, was Cadillac's largest and most expensive offering, embodying old-school luxury since its debut in 1999. The updated design further distinguished it from its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL. The most notable exterior change was a new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade stylistically with the Escalade IQ and other Cadillac EVs. The headlights were large vertical bars, complemented by smaller horizontal daytime running lights. At the rear, the Escalade retained its tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. For 2025, 24-inch wheels were introduced, enhancing the vehicle's imposing presence. Cadillac offered standard and long-wheelbase Escalade ESV body styles, with various trim levels, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac worked to conceal the shared platform with other GM SUVs, featuring a screen-centric interior design. The 2025 model replaced the 38-inch OLED curved display with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The Escalade offered a range of interior motifs and luxurious materials, with the Premium Luxury Platinum test car showcasing Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, impressively finished for a mainstream automaker.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial skepticism about its suitability for a midsize, three-row luxury SUV, the engine performed adequately in typical driving situations with up to four passengers. Lexus claimed the TX 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD), though it felt quicker due to the torque swell. The EPA rated the TX 350 FWD at 23 mpg in combined driving, a slight improvement over the previous RX L model. During testing, the TX 350 FWD averaged 20.4 mpg. AWD, available for an additional $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension provided a balanced ride, firm enough to convey road surface details while ensuring comfort. The steering was accurate, and the interior remained quiet on the highway. The test car's brake pedal felt soft but was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

For the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac discontinued the Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine, leaving the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 as the sole option. This engine delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V retained its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All Escalade models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing a balance of low ratios for acceleration and high ratios for efficient highway cruising. The transmission shifted smoothly, maintaining power flow. RWD was standard, with 4WD optional on most models. The Escalade-V had a performance-oriented AWD system. Most trims included an electronic rear limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on all but the base Luxury grade, offering adaptive damping for improved ride quality. Despite these features, the Escalade's handling couldn't match that of a Range Rover or BMW X7. The V8 provided quick acceleration and a pleasing sound, but the brakes lacked confidence. Cadillac offered a Performance Upgrade Package with Brembo six-piston front calipers, a performance air intake, and a cat-back exhaust system.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUV offerings. The GX and LX models were off-road-oriented, compromising on-road dynamics, while the RX L was too small for adult passengers in the third row. The TX resolved these issues, offering a more practical and affordable option. The TX 350 Luxury featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with heated and ventilated captain's chairs. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they provided a supportive driving position. The second-row seat, though comfortable, had a relatively flat lower cushion. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, with sufficient leg support and large side windows. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers reduced second-row comfort. The TX offered numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade was available in short and long-wheelbase configurations, with the ESV model offering increased cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade provided ample interior space, with best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom. The standard-length model offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 72.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet behind the front seats. ESV models further increased cargo capacity to 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 94.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 142.8 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Escalade's towing capacity was 8,100 pounds for the standard model and 8,000 pounds for the ESV, comparable to competitors. However, Cadillac lacked some towing features offered by Lincoln. The Escalade's interior featured power liftgate and power-folding seats for easy reconfiguration, and the optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for second-row passengers.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system. However, the package replaced well-marked steering wheel controls with unmarked dual-purpose ones, requiring drivers to reference the head-up display, which was often invisible with polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen, offered a complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription, providing cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect. The test vehicle had an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system, delivering impressive audio quality.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface. The new 55-inch display spanned the dashboard, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. Climate controls were managed by a separate touchscreen with a rotary dial. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available, along with an augmented-reality head-up display and night vision. Cadillac retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a hard button for vehicle operation. The Escalade's voice recognition system was less advanced than those of BMW or Mercedes. The optional Executive Second Row Package included 12.6-inch screens, a center console with wireless chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers, bringing the total speaker count to 40.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), featuring adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, provided braking and steering assistance but was not entirely transparent in operation. The TX also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The traffic jam assist system allowed hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking (front and rear), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations, and the Escalade featured teen-driver monitoring and Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system. Super Cruise allowed hands-free driving on mapped roads, though the handoff to manual control was abrupt in construction zones. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication.