Compare the2026 Cadillac XT5VS 2026 Lexus NX

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 NX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XT5 and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 NX:

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 NX:

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.

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

The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 6 more horsepower (310 vs. 304) than the NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the NX 350 AWD 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 NX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the XT5 and the NX 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 NX 350h/450h+ 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 NX 350 AWD 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 NX (19.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (21.7 vs. 14.5 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 NX 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 NX.

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

The XT5 stops much shorter than the NX:

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

The XT5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the NX (112.5 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the NX.

The XT5 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the NX 450h+ Premium AWD (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XT5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD (7.8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the XT5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 NX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the XT5 AWD is quieter than the NX 350 AWD (68 vs. 70 dB).

The XT5 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (30 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The XT5’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in almost every dimension:

The XT5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus NX is only 2000 pounds. The XT5 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the XT5 and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the XT5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Cadillac XT5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the NX.