Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus TX

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its cabin materials fell short of expectations for a luxury brand, resembling those found in a Buick or high-end Chevy. Despite this, the XT5 offered a well-organized interior with ample space in both rows and above-average cargo capacity of 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the cabin intuitive but somewhat dated. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, with options for a panoramic sunroof and upgraded leather upholstery in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, presented a more upscale appearance with its Luxury trim and 22-inch wheels. The TX's styling was more conservative than other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a subtler design. The TX 350, the likely volume seller, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and options for FWD or AWD. The interior, though dark with its Peppercorn color scheme, felt luxurious with premium leather and ambient lighting. The TX offered a comfortable third-row seat, a significant improvement over previous Lexus models, and provided ample cargo space with seats folded.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered FWD or AWD, with 0-60 mph acceleration in the high-seven-second range. An optional V6 engine delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, but the XT5 lacked driving excitement. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with noticeable cabin noise and vibration. The XT5's fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city to 29 mpg highway with the turbo-four and FWD, and 18/25/21 mpg with the V6 and AWD.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD) and offered a smooth ride with commendable body motion control. The TX 350 FWD had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 mpg combined, slightly better than the previous RX L model. The AWD option, costing $1,600, provided better traction and slightly quicker acceleration. The TX's suspension balanced road feel and comfort, and the interior remained quiet on highways.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered practical storage spaces, including a deep center console bin. Front-seat ergonomics were good, with easy access to controls, while rear passengers had seatback pockets and cupholders. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with seats folded, surpassing many competitors in its class.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous Lexus SUV shortcomings with a spacious and comfortable interior. The TX 350 Luxury trim included premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, a significant improvement over past models. The TX offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with seats folded, and an impressive 97 cubic feet with all seats down. The interior featured numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical controls for climate and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available options.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, and a surround-view camera. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX offered free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available for audiophiles.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5, last tested in 2021, earned top "Good" scores in crash tests but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to "Marginal" headlights. It featured standard safety tech like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a vibrating safety alert seat. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Drive Assist provided additional braking and steering support. The TX also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional parking sensors with automatic braking. Traffic jam assist offered hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.