2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Lexus GX

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade continued to embody the essence of old-school Cadillac luxury, standing as the largest and most expensive model in the lineup, aside from the Celestiq EV. Its updated design further distinguished it from its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts, with a new front end that aligned it stylistically with Cadillac's electric vehicles. The Escalade's exterior featured large vertical headlights and tall taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, complemented by the availability of 24-inch wheels for the first time. Inside, Cadillac enhanced the Escalade's high-tech appeal with a 55-inch OLED curved display spanning the dashboard, offering a screen-centric interior design that masked its shared platform with other GM full-size SUVs. The interior boasted luxurious materials, with options for real leather and curated motifs, making it hard to believe it shared any lineage with a Chevy.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, presenting a striking new look that drew inspiration from boxy, old-school Land Rover models. Its bold exterior featured LED headlights and a large grille, while the Overtrail+ package added 33-inch tires, rock rails, and a distinctive brown colour called Earth. Inside, the GX offered a clean and elegant design with quality switchgear and chic dashboard elements. The seats provided ample headroom and were upholstered in a mix of stitched black and tan faux leather, complete with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The GX's elevated ride height and tall windows ensured excellent visibility, making it a comfortable and luxurious choice for both city driving and off-road adventures.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped its Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving only the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V variant boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing a balance of low and high ratios for efficient driving. In Canada, most models came with standard four-wheel drive, while the Escalade-V had a performance-focused all-wheel drive system. Despite its power, the Escalade's handling and ride quality couldn't match the polish of competitors like the Range Rover or BMW X7. The optional Performance Upgrade Package, including Brembo brakes, was recommended for improved braking confidence.

The 2025 Lexus GX was equipped with a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This power was distributed to all four wheels via a full-time four-wheel drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was notably faster than its predecessor, achieving 0-100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds. Despite its weight, the GX felt agile and responsive, with ample power throughout the rev range. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 19.0 L/100 km during testing. The GX excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a locking rear differential and Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, making it a formidable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the latter providing increased cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade ESV's extended length contributed to its impressive cargo capacity, with up to 4,043 litres available in the ESV model. Seating for up to eight passengers was available, with options for second-row captain's chairs. The Escalade boasted best-in-segment cargo space and a maximum towing capacity of 3,675 kilograms for the standard model. However, it lacked some of the towing features offered by competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2025 Lexus GX provided a spacious interior, accommodating tall passengers with generous headroom and legroom. The GX's cargo space was a standout feature, offering up to 2,563 litres with the Overtrail packages. Its towing capacity of 4,111 kilograms made it a versatile choice for adventurers. Despite its size, the GX was easy to manoeuvre and park, thanks to its well-designed dimensions. The absence of a third row in the Overtrail packages allowed for increased cargo capacity, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a capable and spacious SUV.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a futuristic interface, featuring a 55-inch door-to-door display that integrated a digital instrument cluster, infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. Additional tech included a 19-speaker AKG audio system, with an optional 36-speaker version, and features like an augmented-reality head-up display and night vision. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with user-friendly controls and haptic feedback. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers, including screens, wireless chargers, and massage seats.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a user-friendly infotainment system with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The system featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, included in higher packages, provided good audio quality. The GX also offered six USB-C ports for connectivity and charging, with cooling available in the armrest storage for certain packages. The tech was intuitive and easy to use, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. GM's Super Cruise system allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads, with improvements noted in its performance. However, crash test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, road sign assist, and more. The system operated smoothly, even on challenging roads. The GX also included a 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras for off-road visibility. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the GX was equipped with 10 airbags for occupant protection.