Cadillac Escalade vs Lexus TX

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport was a commanding presence on the road, with its substantial dimensions of 5,383 millimetres in length and 1,948 millimetres in height. It was available in Sport and Luxury trims, with the Sport version featuring a blacked-out exterior that included dark window surrounds, black roof rails, and a mesh grille, giving it a more aggressive look compared to its chrome-heavy Luxury counterpart. The Deep Sea Metallic paint and 24-inch seven-spoke wheels with Pearl Nickel and High Gloss Black inserts added to its striking appearance. Inside, the Sheer Grey and Jet Black semi-aniline leather with faceted quilting provided a premium feel, complemented by a 55-inch curved display that spanned the dashboard, offering a modern and screen-centric design.

The 2026 Lexus TX, on the other hand, offered a variety of packages tailored to different powertrains, including the TX 350 with its Luxury package and the TX 500h hybrid with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The exterior retained a large grille reminiscent of the older spindle grille design, paired with sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting that spanned the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided three interior colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. The redesigned door handles, which reacted to pressure rather than pulling out, were a unique feature, though some might have preferred more attention to detail in the cabin.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade was powered by a robust 6.2-litre V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard on non-V-Series models. The Escalade-V variant offered a supercharged version of the same engine, producing an impressive 682 horsepower. During a 500-kilometre road trip, the Escalade achieved a fuel consumption of 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly better than the estimated 15.0 L/100 km combined. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, absorbing road imperfections with ease, though the standard brakes lacked the confidence of the optional Brembo upgrade.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 featured a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid increased output to 366 horsepower. The gas model came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had electronically controlled full-time all-wheel drive, while the TX 500h utilized Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. The vehicle offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h also included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade offered class-leading cargo space, with 722 litres behind the third row, 2,064 litres with the third row folded, and 3,412 litres with both rear rows down. The long-wheelbase Escalade ESV further increased cargo capacity to 1,175 litres behind the third row. The Escalade could seat up to eight passengers, with generous second-row legroom of 1,060 millimetres. However, the third row was tight for adults, with only 886 millimetres of legroom. The vehicle's towing capacity was 3,580 kilograms, competitive but slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator's rating.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided excellent cargo space for its class, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom, making it comfortable for adults. The second-row captain's chairs featured a removable centre console, and the front seats offered good room, though more thigh support was desired. The TX could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade featured a 55-inch curved display that spanned the dashboard, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, a 35-inch central infotainment touchscreen, and a 20-inch front passenger screen. The system was responsive and logically organized, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Platinum Sport trim included a 34-speaker AKG audio system, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway driving system, was standard across the lineup. However, the voice recognition system lagged behind European rivals.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with a 14-inch colour touchscreen that was easy to use, though some features lacked polish. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues were noted. The vehicle required a subscription for in-dash navigation and other features. The backup camera offered a clear view, and the available Advanced Park system could handle parking duties. The TX included seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt/1500-watt outlet in the second row.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Teen Driver system allowed parents to set speed alerts and review driving reports. The Escalade received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had not been evaluated by the IIHS at the time of writing.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured the Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, which included forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though the Proactive Driving Assist feature was often turned off due to its random activations. The TX received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA and an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS for the small overlap front crash test on the driver's side.