Cadillac XT5 Vs. Lexus RX Vs. Lincoln Nautilus | Vehicle Comparison

It's time to settle the long-standing Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus debate, and the Quantrell Cadillac team is up for the challenge. We've spent hours researching the latest specs, interior, and dimensions data on these three top-rated midsize SUVs to make sure you're equipped with all the information you need.

We know it's a tough decision: All three automakers are known for their high-class interiors, innovative technology, and elevated safety systems, and the Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus push these standards even higher.

Explore the gas-powered 2024 Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus and all their luxe details below to find your winner. We're partial to the new Cadillac XT5 crossover and its higher horsepower, bigger front headroom, and larger towing capacity, but take your own tour below to see which model you prefer!

Quick Facts: Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus Differences

• Compare Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus MSRP, and it's immediately clear that the Cadillac XT5 is the most affordable luxury SUV
• The 2024 Cadillac XT5 is the only SUV in this rivalry with a V-6 engine option
• The Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX have similar MPG ratings in front-wheel drive, though the Cadillac trims have a smoother shifting nine-speed transmission than their Lexus rivals
• Enjoy easier city parking in the new Cadillac XT5 thanks to its smaller exterior profile
• Charge up your cell phones with standard wireless charging in the Cadillac XT5 vs. Lincoln Nautilus, but you'll need to choose a second-tier Lexus RX to gain the same technology
• Loading kids or car seats in a 2024 Cadillac XT5 or Lincoln Nautilus will be far easier than in a Lexus RX trim, which has the smallest front and backseat legroom

Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus Specs

Powerful engines are only exciting if they're felt but not heard inside your SUV's cabin. Since the Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus have been on the market and the streets for many months by now, drivers have noticed a few critical aspects of each model's performance – namely, that the 2024 Cadillac XT5 delivers the biggest bang with the quietest cabin.¹

On sharp curves and corners, experts also note how the Cadillac SUV handles itself quite confidently, its body roll is well controlled, and it feels grounded and reliable no matter where the road takes you.² In sharp contrast, Car and Driver testing of the 2024 Lexus RX revealed sub-par acceleration and no confidence in handling sharp corners.³ Situated comfortably in the middle of the pack is the new Lincoln Nautilus, which is reported to offer an easygoing ride.⁴

Horsepower, Torque, and MPG

As the only model in this comparison with two powertrain options, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V-6 Cadillac XT5 engines offer higher horsepower than most of the Lexus or Lincoln models. Beneath every gas-powered 2024 Lexus RX hood, you'll find only one 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and the new Lincoln Nautilus also carries only one 2.0-liter four-cylinder across its 2024 lineup.

Front-wheel drive Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX variants can reach an EPA-estimated 22/29 MPG (City/Highway),^5,6 but the AWD-only Lincoln Nautilus MPG lags slightly behind with a 21 city fuel economy⁷. It should also be noted that while the Cadillac and Lexus models come in FWD and AWD configurations, the Lincoln Nautilus is an AWD-only SUV.

The 2024 Lexus RX does output the highest torque ratings, but truthfully, the on-road difference between these Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus torque specs will be minimal. According to Car and Driver test drives, all three SUVs will get you up to speed in roughly the same amount of time.^2,3,4

Transmissions and Drive Modes

As for Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus transmissions, the Lexus model has an eight-speed ECT-i, while the Cadillac XT5 vs. Lincoln Nautilus transmissions offer a nine-speed automatic and eight-speed automatic on gas-powered models, respectively.

Lincoln engineers like to boast about the new drive modes, but a real-world test drive reveals just how harsh the Lincoln Nautilus becomes in Excite mode, particularly when riding on larger wheels.⁴

The Cadillac XT5 comes with three drive modes – Tour, Sport, and Snow/Ice, which are extremely helpful as you drive your SUV in all types of weather. Lexus engineers haven't published any drive mode information, so it's unclear how you could customize the Lexus RX powertrain to icy winter conditions.

Side-by-Side Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus Specs Comparison

Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus Trims and Technology

The Cadillac XT5 specs take the title of most reliable in this comparison, but now let's take a closer look at each model's trim choices and technology. Cadillac XT5 vs. Lincoln Nautilus models offer three trims apiece, each offering high-level features in their entry-level options – it's just that the Cadillac XT5 does this at a much lower starting price. You'll find five trim levels when shopping the Lexus RX, but its luxury features don't grow much as you move through its lineup.

Cadillac XT5 Trims: Standard Features and Technology

• Cadillac XT5 Luxury: Wi-Fi hotspot, HD rear-vision camera, wireless phone charging, an Advanced Security Package, Cadillac navigation, a hands-free power liftgate, and a Bose® Performance Series audio system
• Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury: Leather seating in front and rear rows, Cadillac User Experience with Rotaty Infotainment Controller with jog functionality and navigation, and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Cadillac XT5 Sport: 3.6-liter V-6 engine with Twin Clutch Sport Control AWD and Brembo performance front brakes with red front and rear brake calipers

Lexus RX Trims: Standard Features and Technology

• Lexus RX 350: Wi-Fi hotspot, Drive Connect with Cloud Navigation, rear-view camera, Lexus sound system, Intuitive Parking Assist
• Lexus RX 350 Premium: 350-trim features, plus wireless phone charging, a moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel
• Lexus RX Premium+: Larger 14-inch touch screen, thematic ambient illumination, and a multizone auto climate control with smog-sensing recirculation mode
• Lexus RX Luxury: Most Premium+ comforts, plus a color Head-Up Display and heated and ventilated rear seats
• Lexus RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD: Most Luxury-trim options, plus a smaller 9.8-inch touch screen and F Sport exterior styling

Lincoln Nautilus Trims: Standard Features and Technology

• Lincoln Nautilus Premiere: Wireless phone charging, Google Maps™, Lincoln Digital Experience, Lincoln BlueCruise-equipped
• Lincoln Nautilus Reserve: Premiere-trim capabilities, plus adaptive suspension and leather-trimmed seats
• Lincoln Nautilus Black Label: Reserve-trim amenities, plus Digital Scent, a panoramic Vista roof, unique carpeted floor mats, and Auto Air Refresh

Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus Interior and Exterior Design

The next stop in this luxury SUV comparison is interior and exterior design. All three models deliver elegant aesthetics but in very different ways. Most notably, the Cadillac XT5 feels on-trend and upscale, while the Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus personalities are more predictable. Let's see which design you prefer!

Cadillac XT5 Design

Thanks to a few stylish 2024 updates, you can shop new Cadillac XT5 trims in two gorgeous new paint colors (for a total of seven exterior hues) and three new appearance packages, enabling you to customize your Cadillac SUV to your heart's content. On the inside, the Cadillac cabin is upscale and trendy, with gorgeous leather upholstery colors available in upper trims.

The Cadillac XT5 interior layout is practical, offering a plethora of helpful storage, and the back seat is beyond easy to fold when you need expanded cargo space. A humidity sensor keeps everyone comfortable, a reclining rear bench encourages little ones to nap on long trips, and front-seat occupants can stay warm with standard heated seats. Want to experience the Cadillac XT5 cabin in person? Contact us for a test-drive!

Lexus RX Design

The 2024 Lexus RX rolls into the new model year unchanged, leaving us wondering why Lexus engineers forgot about this SUV and didn't offer drivers any updates. Oddly enough, both the first two trims and the flagship Lexus RX come with NuLuxe upholstery, though the third and fourth trim levels feature leather and semi-aniline leather seats, respectively.

Heated front seats are standard in every Lexus RX, but unfortunately, the Lexus trims offer the smallest standard trunk space and the least amount of rear legroom. We'll discuss this in more detail below, but suffice it to say that taking longer road trips in this Lexus model won't be nearly as comfortable as it would be in a Cadillac XT5 vs. Lincoln Nautilus.

Lincoln Nautilus Design

The new Lincoln Nautilus refresh was much needed and shows off an updated cockpit and ambient lighting. You'll also find heated and ventilated front seats, though the Nautilus SUV's back bench doesn't recline like the Cadillac XT5. Soft Touch faux leather upholstery comes standard, as do Lincoln Symphonic Chimes and Lincoln Embrace – which are just the brand's version of audio notifications and ambient lighting – but you do gain leather seats in upper trims.

This new Nautilus iteration also comes with Lincoln BlueCruise, which calls for occasional hands-free driving. However, many of the Lincoln model's best cabin features are only available for an additional charge, like its Chalet- or Redwood-themed Lincoln Nautilus interiors.

Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus Dimensions

Though the Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus are all highly popular midsize SUVs with space for five passengers, you'll have an easier time parking a new Cadillac XT5. As the shortest luxury model in the bunch, the Cadillac XT5 measures only 189.6 inches long – ideal for snagging that last parallel parking space. In comparison, the Lexus and Lincoln models are 192.5 and 193.2 inches long, respectively, and they're wider than the Cadillac trims, too.

You might worry that the smaller exterior means less Cadillac XT5 cargo space, but the Cadillac SUV holds its own on the inside. In fact, as we're sure you've noticed in the comparison chart above, the Cadillac trims surpass the Lexus RX in standard cargo capacity, and the Lincoln Nautilus boasts the largest trunk at 36.4 cubic feet.

Front-seat headroom and legroom are fairly evenly matched across the Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus trim levels, but the back seat tells a different story. These SUVs are supposed to offer space for a small family, but try to squeeze a car seat or long-legged teen into the Lexus RX backseat, and you'll immediately notice a problem. Choose a Cadillac XT5 vs. Lincoln Nautilus instead and load kids of any age with ease.

Test-Drive the 2024 Cadillac XT5 at Quantrell Cadillac

Have we helped make this Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX vs. Lincoln Nautilus decision any easier? Are you ready to stop researching and start enjoying your drive? Visit the Quantrell Cadillac showroom to take your favorite Cadillac XT5 trim – or any of our stunning models – out for a test drive today!

While you're here, you can chat with our finance team about any upcoming new vehicle specials that might lower your MSRP or lease price even more. We know we're partial to Cadillac vehicles, but you truly can't go wrong when you shop our next-level inventory. Stop by today to get started!

¹Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.motortrend.com/cars/cadillac/xt5/

²Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/cadillac/xt5-2024

³Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/lexus/rx

⁴Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/lincoln/nautilus

⁵Based on EPA city estimate 22 for FWD and 21 for AWD and fuel tank capacity. Your range may be less. Based on EPA highway estimate 29 for FWD and 27 for AWD and fuel tank capacity. Your range may be less.

⁶EPA-estimated 22city/ 29 hwy MPG rating for 2024 Lexus RX 350 FWD, 350 Premium FWD, 350 Premium+ FWD, and 350 Luxury FWD. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle’s condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.

⁷EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

⁸Based on EPA city estimate 19 for AWD and fuel tank capacity. Your range may be less. Based on EPA highway estimate 26 for AWD and fuel tank capacity. Your range may be less.

⁹EPA-estimated 21 city/ 28-29 hwy MPG rating for 2024 Lexus RX 350 AWD, 350 Premium AWD, 350 Premium+ AWD, 350 Luxury AWD, and 350 F Sport Handling AWD. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle’s condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.

¹⁰Requires Heavy Duty Trailering Package. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.

¹¹Never tow beyond a vehicle’s published towing capacities. Rating based on testing requirements prescribed in SAE J2807. Rating referenced in Owner’s Manual may differ depending on testing standard used. Installation of accessories located near the rear bumper may require disabling or removing the kick sensor, and the sensor operation setting in your vehicle should be turned off. Follow all instructions in your Owner’s Manual.

¹²When properly equipped. Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers.