2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its grand proportions, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim, while the Sport trim had darkened accents. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, though its interior lacked a cohesive design theme, with a mix of leather, wood trim, and some less appealing plastic elements.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more understated exterior, with the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models offering subtle differences. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its 21-inch alloy wheels, maintained a clean look without overt hybrid badging. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX's design, while not traditionally beautiful, was functional, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach, with a new infotainment system and contemporary textures. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel-drive in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for various driving situations. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less comfortable experience compared to unibody SUVs. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator, and it lacked off-road capabilities found in some GM cousins.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It achieved a combined fuel economy of 6.5 L/100 km, with acceleration to 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control for an engaging driving experience. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 11.3 L/100 km. The RX 350h, with its lower centre of gravity and electric motor torque, provided a more secure and efficient drive.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious interior. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, providing 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the front seats, while adjustable, lacked the luxury feel expected in a high-end vehicle.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and efficiency. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, seat heating and ventilation, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support and legroom, though rear headroom was tight. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the back seat folded, an improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The display integrated well into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. However, the radio station carousel format and rotary controller were less user-friendly. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription-based connected services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. While the system worked well, it had limitations, such as viewing only one screen menu at a time and reflections on the display. The RX's head-up display, with dual-function touch-sensing control pads, posed challenges for users wearing polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the RX's technology represented a significant upgrade from previous models.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with standard driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available as an option, providing hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. While the system impressed with its smooth responses, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable for this model year.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist, a regenerative braking system, and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. While the safety features generally operated well, some aspects, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had room for improvement. The RX's driver monitoring system and Advanced Park technology added to its safety suite.