Big Luxury Flagships! 2025 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2025 Lexus LX

In the world of 6-figure flagship SUV’s, the name that is known the most is the Cadillac Escalade. This luxury SUV has been tearing up the sales charts since it first launched, but there is another luxury SUV that’s also prestigious: the Lexus LX 700h. These two luxury land yachts have distinctly different personalities, along with unique strengths and weaknesses, and for 2025 both have been heavily updated, which is why we’re comparing them today. So, who wins in a 2025 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2025 Lexus LX battle? Let’s go ahead and find out!

Pricing and Equipment

While it’s not much of a consideration for people spending well over 6-figures on a vehicle, we will still go ahead and mention the pricing quickly.

Starting with the Cadillac, we have the Premium Luxury Platinum trim level, loaded with features and luxuries. All in, we’re sitting at a steep $122,000.

MSRP (Premium Luxury Platinum 4WD): $119,395 | Options: $700 | Destination: $1,995 | Total: $122,090

Not to be outdone, we have the equivalent trim called “Luxury” for the Lexus LX 700h. That model costs almost an identical amount to the Escalade, at $121,145. 

MSRP (700h Luxury 4WD): $118,500 | Options: $1,295 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $121,145

Exterior Design

Now walking up to these two certainly makes you feel special and demands attention from anyone near you. They are both big, bold, and fancy, which starts in the front. While the default for both models is to finish the large grilles with lots of bright work, our LX has the package that blacks it out. 

Regardless, both have fancy full-LED projector headlights, but only the Escalade has entry and exit animations and an illuminated logo and grille.  Lexus fights back since it also has LED fog lamps and headlamp washers – missing on Escalade.

Heading on around, you’ll begin to see a very big departure from the two at the side. The LX comes in 10 full inches shorter than even the standard wheelbase Escalade, which you’ll see later affects overall cabin space quite a lot. On the flip side, this platform allows the LX, which is based on the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser, to be incredibly off-road capable which will be discussed later on.

Lengths: Escalade: 211.9-inches | LX: 200.6-inches

Continuing with the wheels, both have large 22-inch alloys as equipped, and the Escalade can even get massive 24s from the factory this year.

The rears are also boldly styled with full-LED taillights and some chrome elements. It’s only the Escalade that hides the rear wiper to keep it from being weathered, and as far as towing, both do well and come in at 8,000 and 8,100 pounds respectively, which isn’t different enough to score a point.

Escalade: 8,100 lbs. | LX: 8,000 lbs.

Additional Features

Now as far as other individual features, both have fully loaded mirrors with auto-dimming, and they both also have every single active safety system as standard equipment in these loaded trim levels. The Escalade goes a step further with its standard SuperCruise system this year. This allows for fully hands-free highway driving on highways and many secondary roads, as well as automatic lane changing. The LX does not have a system like this.

Warranty-wise, both brands back up their craftsmanship for a pretty long time. The only difference is Lexus includes one more complimentary maintenance visit.

LEX: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Comp Main: 2 visits

ESC: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Comp Main: 1 Visit

Anyway, that’s the end of the exterior, but I promise there are very impressive cabins coming up.

Interior Design

So, walking up the vehicles, both are obviously going to have smart entry systems to unlock the doors, and only Escalade offers remote start on the fob free for life.

Note: Lexus remote start via fob or app requires a subscription after the trial period is up.

To make entry and exit easier, Escalade also has power running boards, plus it’s now also including 4 fully power-operated doors this year to make you feel extra fancy. Both SUVs have a soft-close function on the doors.

NOTE: Escalade power door functionality will be turned on via a software update soon.

Now glancing inside the interiors of these two, you’ll see very different design themes; the Lexus with a more traditional look and the Escalade with a tech-forward approach to say the least.

Regardless, though, both are incredibly luxurious and that starts with the seats themselves. They have quilted semi-aniline leather seating which is one of the nicest grades of leather. Of course, they are also heated, ventilated, have memory functions, and are highly adjustable. Both also include massaging front seats, which is a feature new to the Lexus for 2025.

Now breaking down the bigger point of overall material quality, these two both impress, but it’s the Escalade that shines brighter. While Lexus and Cadillac include extensive use of leather, real wood trim and metal, the Platinum Escalade includes a leather-covered dashboard which is soft-touch plastic on the Lexus, plus it has a suede headliner.

Like I said first getting into the cabin, the Escalade is tech forward to the maximum degree and you’ll notice that as soon as they start up. The Lexus gains a new full 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster this year, but that’s still a far cry from what Escalade has. We won’t award points just yet for technology sizing since the gauge cluster is a part of the larger pillar-to-pillar screen setup but know the Escalade’s gauges have a lot more customizability. Additionally, it has an augmented reality camera and night vision abilities.

Both have large head-up displays, and pulling back, they have heated, leather-wrapped, power-adjusting steering wheels. Only the Escalade has a leather airbag cover and only the LX has open-pore wood on the wheel.

Storage and Technology

Next up is the evaluation of interior storage, where, as you might expect, both do well. In addition to a lot of storage, each model has opted for the cool box console refrigerator to keep drinks cold. While both have wireless phone chargers, in the front area the Escalade has more storage space and little storage pockets on the side. For those slight advantages, we’ll give it a half point.

Both have new electronic shifters this year, and when you shift into reverse, they display advanced 360-degree cameras and can even park themselves.

For the climate controls, we have some big differences. The LX has an extra zone of climate, for 4 total, and the climate concierge system, which automatically decides to activate things like the heated and vented seats, and heated steering wheel depending on a variety of factors.

Additionally, its controls are physically rendered instead of the touchscreen the Escalade has switched to. That means it’s much easier to operate while driving.

Now if you like music, you’re in luck with these two. Both systems are phenomenal, and some of the best in any vehicle. We would say the Escalade has the edge with its elite sound, plus metal speaker grilles and speakers in the headrest.

LX: 25-speaker Mark Levinson Premium audio

Escalade: 36-speaker AKG Reference Premium audio

I mentioned it a little bit ago, but heading into the displays we have huge differences. The Lexus has a 12.3-inch upper screen paired with a 7-inch lower display. The Escalade, meanwhile, has switched to a massive 55-inch pillar-to-pillar display setup standard on all models. While not all of that is dedicated to the infotainment system specifically, we will give a point for it being significantly larger than the LX.

Fundamentally, beyond that, they have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but only Escalade adds in Google built in which allows for things like Google maps and Google assistant. Additionally, it is including a passenger display to keep those riding along entertained.

Up above, both have rear camera mirror systems, and strangely enough, the LX doesn’t offer a panoramic moonroof so the Escalade will have the advantage.

Rear Seats and Cargo

Now let’s head for the important back areas. First of all, the Escalade has a significant legroom advantage over the LX of about 15%, although their headroom is identical.

LX: 36.6-inches of legroom | 38.9-inches of headroom

Escalade: 41.7-inches of legroom | 38.9 -inches of headroom

Space aside, when you are sitting in the seats, you will be spoiled by both. They have heated back seats, USB ports, and climate controls which are expected for 6-figure vehicles. The Lexus additionally includes ventilated back seats, and only the Escalade has a household style outlet to keep everything charged up.

Continuing with the differences, the Escalade includes captain’s chairs, and the LX has bench seating. Escalade also has standard rear seat entertainment for this Platinum model which isn’t offered on LX until the $140,000 Ultra Luxury trim, and only the LX has rear sunshades since they’re strangely missing from Escalade.

We also must quickly point out Escalade is now offering an Executive Rear Seating package this year which brings it in line with the Ultra Luxury version of the LX. That’ll include massaging back seats and tons of fancy features for those of you looking for a true first-class rear seat experience.

Alright, now let’s move to the next row. Both require child seat removal to get into the third rows, and looking back there, you’ll see some big differences between these flagships. 

In the name of off-road capability, the LX sacrifices some of the comfort of the third row which means the Escalade has significant legroom and headroom advantages of 11 and 8%.

LX: 31.1 inches of legroom | 35.2 inches of headroom

Escalade: 34.9 inches of legroom | 38.2 inches of headroom

Overall thigh support is much better in the Escalade as well, plus it also seats 3 across back here as compared to two in the Lexus –improving overall seating capacity.

Features wise, they have USBs and vents.

Moving around back to the cargo, both have hands-free power tailgates, but only the Escalade can pop the rear glass independently.

Once open, the Escalade’s extra boxy design pays dividends with the max cargo capacity being larger in all three seating configurations than the LX. Behind the third row you won’t be able to put much in the Lexus at only 7 cubic feet, and at the maximum level, there’s about an eye-watering 54% advantage in the Escalade. Simply put, the Escalade is quite a lot more practical.

LX: Behind 3rd Row: 7.2 cu.ft. | Behind 2nd Row: – cu. ft. | Maximum: 62.4 cu. ft.

Escalade: 3^rd row: 25.5 cubic feet / Behind 2^nd row: 63.0 cubic feet / Max: 109.1 cubic feet

Both have power-folding third row seats and spare tires. 

But these two also take very different approaches when it comes to powertrains, so let’s take them out for a spin and see who comes out on top!

Powertrains

So, throughout the comparison, there are very few things these two have in common and under the hood won’t change that. The Escalade is sticking with a traditional 6.2L V-8 this year unless you want the fully electric IQ model. The Lexus goes a completely different route and receives a new hybrid variant for 2025. All told, its 3.5L Twin-Turbo V-6 and electric components make 457 horsepower which is an 8% advantage over the Escalade’s 420. Furthermore, it makes 583 lb. ft. of torque which is 23% better than Escalade and you’ll feel that out on the road.

LX: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V-6 + Elec: 457 hp | 583 lb.ft of torque

Escalade: 6.2L V-8: 420 hp and 460 lb.ft

As far as the transmissions are concerned, both have 10 speed automatics that are nice and responsive. Power is put to the ground by 4WD systems, but that’s not the end of the story. For those of you who don’t know, the LX is one of the most off-road capable vehicles money can buy. It comes standard with a center locking diff, crawl control, and a height adjustable suspension. Those things make it significantly more capable, even in its luxury trim, than the Escalade.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

Now even though the LX is designed to stray from the beaten path, the fact of the matter is that both the Lexus and Cadillac will likely be spending most their time on the pavement. As far as the street ride quality, there is a substantial discrepancy here since the Escalade has both the excellent magnetic ride control system AND an air suspension. Its ride is very isolated, while the LX is much more truck-like, and you feel both small vibrations and some larger bumps through its adaptive dampers.

It’s also important that luxury SUVs are very quiet, so let’s get into the sound level readings. We tested both out-of-state in Indiana and California respectively, so these can’t be scored officially. However, here they are for your reference, and keep in mind decibel readings are on a logarithmic scale and the smallest difference an adult can usually discern is 1 dB.

LX: 54.3 dB @ 55 MPH

Escalade: 56.8 dB @ 55 MPH

Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, the LX’s hybrid engine allows it to achieve 4 MPG better fuel economy, at 20 combined vs. 16 combined. That’ll definitely add up on the premium fuel both requests.

LX 700h 4WD: 19/22/20 MPG

Escalade 6.2L 4WD: 14/18/16 MPG

Value, Resale, Reliability

In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP. 

Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Cadillac ranks 3 slots above the industry average for all brands in reliability, while Lexus is a whopping 11 spots above average.

We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, the Lexus once again takes the lead. Cadillac retains a predicted 40.7% of its value while Lexus will retain 53.8% after 5 years.

For value, there is a $900 price difference between these two.

I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

2025 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2025 Lexus LX Winner!

Wow so these two SUVs really brought all they could offer to the table! These two fought hard and which one you choose really is going to come down a lot to personal preference. Now let’s discuss who should be “your” personal winner based on those preferences…

Escalade: 

• In-car technology (55-inch screen, audio system, power doors)
• Space (second, third row, cargo capacity)
• V8 powertrain

LX: 

• Off road capability
• Resale and reliability
• Traditional interior feel

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!