Compare the2026 Lexus GXVS 2025 Cadillac Escalade

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac Escalade doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Escalade doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX. But it costs extra on the Escalade.

Both the GX and the Escalade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 Lexus GX is safer than the Cadillac Escalade:

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

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the GX has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GX’s reliability 32 points higher than the Escalade.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 460) than the Escalade’s 6.2 V8.

On the EPA test cycle the GX gets better mileage than the Escalade:

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

The GX stops shorter than the Escalade:

The GX Overtrail has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Escalade doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The GX 550 Overtrail+ handles at .71 G’s, while the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GX 550 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Escalade Sport 4WD (28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 30.1 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GX’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Escalade’s (39.4 feet vs. 39.5 feet). The GX’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Escalade with 24” wheels’ (39.4 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GX 550 Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Escalade (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GX 550 Overtrail’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Escalade Air Suspension (9.8 vs. 8.9 inches).

The Lexus GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade.

The GX is 1 foot, 2.8 inches shorter than the Escalade, making the GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GX 550 Overtrail+ is quieter than the Escalade Sport 4WD:

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade’s third row seats don’t recline.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Escalade’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escalade’s (9063 vs. 7900 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Escalade is only 8100 pounds. The GX offers up to a 9096 lbs. towing capacity.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Escalade doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escalade doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac Escalade isn't recommended.