If you’re digging into the luxury midsize SUV scene, odds are the 2025 Cadillac XT5 vs 2025 Lexus RX matchup is already on your radar. These two have been longtime rivals in the premium crossover world, and it’s easy to see why—they’re both stylish, loaded with features, and built to handle daily driving with a premium feel. But which one actually suits your needs better? Let’s break it down.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 XT5 starts at $45,790 and tops out at $58,690. The 2025 RX has a higher starting point at $50,475, with the top trim reaching $61,270 (as of June 2, 2025).
- Cadillac gives you a choice between two engines, while the Lexus RX offers just one.
- Fuel economy is pretty much neck and neck for both in their standard setups.
Trim Levels and Pricing: Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus RX
Cadillac keeps things clean and sporty with three trim levels—and they mostly undercut Lexus on price:
- Luxury: $45,790
- Premium Luxury: $52,090
- Sport: $58,690
Lexus offers more trims with luxury touches baked in at every level:
- Base: $50,475
- Premium: $52,725
- F Sport Design: $55,055
- Premium Plus: $56,215
- F Sport Handling: $59,325
- Luxury: $61,270
If you’re comparing by price, Cadillac gets you in the door for less and still brings the premium vibe.
Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus RX: Engine Options and Performance
Cadillac gives you two different driving experiences depending on the trim you choose. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims run on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Sport model dials things up with a 3.6-liter V6 delivering 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose between front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive.
The RX350 keeps it simple. You’ll get a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 275 horsepower, with standard front-wheel drive and optional AWD. It’s capable, sure—but it doesn’t offer quite the same range of power as the XT5.
Which 2025 Luxury SUV Offers Better Fuel Economy: Cadillac XT5 or Lexus RX?
Fuel efficiency is mostly even between the two, especially if you’re looking at base engines.
- 2.0L Turbo (FWD): 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway
- 2.0L Turbo (AWD): 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway
- 3.6L V6 (FWD): 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway
- 3.6L V6 (AWD): 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway
- 2.5L Turbo (FWD): 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway
- 2.5L Turbo (AWD): 21 city/28 highway
So if you’re sticking with the standard engines, you’ll see the same numbers at the pump. But go for the XT5’s V6, and you’re trading a little fuel economy for a noticeable performance bump.
Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus RX: Which Is Better on Tech?
This is where the XT5 really pulls ahead. Even the base model comes stacked with smart tech: an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard. Cadillac’s CUE system is intuitive and comes with voice recognition plus a rotary controller that makes it easy to scroll on the fly.
Higher trims sweeten the deal even more. The Premium Luxury and Sport models come with navigation, a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system, four USB ports, and a wireless charging pad tucked in front of the center console.
Lexus equips the RX with a 9.8-inch touchscreen by default, and you can upgrade to a 14-inch version if you want more screen real estate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard here too, along with optional extras like a head-up display, navigation, and a premium Mark Levinson audio system—but you’ll have to climb a few trims to get it all.
Which One Should You Pick?
If you’re going for dependable, traditional luxury with a quieter approach, the RX is a solid bet. But if you want a luxury crossover that feels more engaging behind the wheel, gives you actual engine variety, and loads up on tech without making you jump through trim-level hoops, the 2025 Cadillac XT5 makes a stronger case.
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