2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, but its compact footprint and tall profile created an awkward appearance. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered different exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. Inside, the XT5’s interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, but lacked a strong design theme, failing to make a statement like its competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX, built in Canada, marked its fifth generation with a design that was shorter in height, broader in width, and longer in wheelbase than its predecessor. Despite maintaining the same overall length, it offered more cargo space and a modern aesthetic with a spindle-style grille and a floating roof effect. The RX’s exterior styling was familiar yet fresh, distinguishing it from the previous generation and the smaller Lexus NX. Inside, the RX boasted a modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice of touchscreen displays. The quality was high, with options for genuine leather and simulated suede, and the RX was available in multiple trims, including hybrid and performance variants.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided a smooth and quick driving experience, with linear power delivery and excellent body control thanks to the performance suspension with adaptive dampers. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering nimbleness without requiring constant corrections, and the cabin was notably quiet.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 Executive trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion over uneven surfaces, while the F Sport 3 trim, with its adaptive damping suspension, felt more secure and eliminated unwanted bouncing. The RX 350 AWD was estimated to average 9.9 L/100 km in combined driving, with real-world results slightly higher. The turbo engine offered better performance at higher altitudes and improved fuel economy, though it lacked the smoothness of the previous V6.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered favourable interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows, though the seats were not as comfortable as expected for a luxury vehicle. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the centre console featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating, with the F Sport 3 package providing sport seat bolsters for better support during spirited driving. The RX 350 Executive trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a sophisticated interior design. The back seat was roomy and supportive, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX provided useful storage areas and improved cargo space over the previous generation, with 838 litres available with the second row in place and 1,308 litres with it folded down.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While usability was improved, the tech still lagged behind competitors with larger screens and more sophisticated systems. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound, but the array of secondary controls and touchpads were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface multimedia system with a choice of 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen displays. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The Intelligent Assistant offered natural voice recognition, though it occasionally provided inaccurate results. User profiles could be set up for different drivers, and the system allowed streaming of Apple Music or Amazon Music. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. Digital instrumentation, Digital Latch door handles, and a colour head-up display were available, though the latter could be difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and new features like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Semi-autonomous driving technologies such as Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were available, though some features, like curve-speed reduction, were not predictive. The system required referencing the HUD for certain functions, which could be problematic with polarized sunglasses.