2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, standing nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was designed to impress, with its massive body shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL. The Escalade's athletic appearance was enhanced by thin LED lights and darkened chrome elements in the Sport Platinum trim, masking its substantial size. Inside, the first row boasted a luxurious feel with a 38-inch curved screen and fine wood inlays, though some components borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from the overall luxury experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, offered a more conservative and upscale design. The Luxury trim featured 22-inch wheels that elevated its appearance. The TX's styling was toned down compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a subtler look. Inside, the TX 350 Luxury model provided a dark yet luxurious cabin with premium leather and suede upholstery. While the front seats lacked a massage function, the interior was comfortable and well-equipped, making it a worthy contender in the luxury SUV market.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing adequate power for towing up to 8,200 pounds. However, its acceleration felt heavy, and the 10-speed automatic transmission struggled in Sport mode. The Escalade-V variant addressed this with a supercharged V8 producing 682 horsepower, offering a more thrilling drive. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined with 4WD. The Escalade's magnetic dampers and air suspension enhanced its maneuverability, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in about eight seconds, feeling quicker due to its torque delivery. The TX 350 FWD achieved 23 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed 20.4 mpg. The AWD option improved traction and slightly enhanced acceleration. The TX's suspension provided a balanced ride, with accurate steering and a quiet interior, though the brake pedal felt soft in the test vehicle.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade excelled in interior space, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV variant provided even more room. Its independent rear suspension allowed for generous headroom and legroom in all rows. The controls were intuitive, and features like a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience. However, the second-row seats lacked power adjustment.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium materials and heated seats, though the front seats lacked a massage function. The second-row bench seat was less comfortable, but the third row was surprisingly spacious for adults. The TX offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with all seats folded. Storage options were plentiful, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a tech powerhouse, featuring OLED screens across the dash and a high-res front camera display. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered hands-free highway driving with eye-tracking cameras for safety. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with features like rear-seat entertainment and bright LED headlights.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls were frustrating, especially with polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TX offered free subscriptions to various connectivity services, and the optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system impressed audiophiles.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. It included standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking and a Safety Alert seat. Optional features included reverse emergency braking and Super Cruise.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. Proactive Drive Assist provided additional braking and steering assistance. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Traffic jam assist offered hands-free driving at low speeds, though the system slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.