Compare the2026 Cadillac XT5VS 2026 Lexus RX

The XT5 (except Luxury’s) optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XT5 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XT5 has a standard 730-amp battery. The RX’s 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 first among midsize premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The RX was rated second.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The RX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the XT5 and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All XT5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 17.2 gallons). The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 17.8 gallons).

The XT5 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

For better stopping power the XT5’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

The XT5 stops much shorter than the RX:

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lexus RX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The XT5 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The Cadillac XT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT5 has .2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The XT5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (30 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The XT5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The XT5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds).

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Cadillac XT5 and the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.