2021 Cadillac XT4 vs Lexus NX
The 2021 Cadillac XT4 is a luxury subcompact SUV with a modern interior and an impressive technology interface. It feels spacious, yet it is small enough to easily maneuver in and out of parking spaces. The 2021 Lexus NX offers a high-end and comfortable interior with lots of standard safety features. Let’s see how they both compare.
Design/Price
The XT4 seats five people in two rows, and offers a generous amount of rear legroom for tall passengers. Its expansive back seat and cargo area behind the rear seats are larger than most in its class. It features 22.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet of space folding down the 60/40 split rear seat. The front seats are supportive and comfortable and offer good visibility on the road. It comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The XT4 offers plenty of upgraded options including genuine leather upholstery and heated and massaging front seats. Three distinctive trims will suit your needs and personality: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. Starting price for this luxury SUV is an affordable $35,695 for the base trim and ranges to $39,795 for the Luxury and Sport trims.
The Lexus NX is a two-row luxury SUV with seating for five, sporting an upscale interior with quality materials and build. The seats provide comfortable, cushy seating with plenty of room for adults and ample head- and legroom. It comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats. Genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel are available, as well as power-folding rear seats, power liftgate, and a hands-free power-liftgate. It provides 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Lexus NX comes in three trim levels: base, F Sport, and Luxury, with starting prices at $37,610 for the base and ranging to $43,960 for the Luxury trim.
Safety and Technology
The Cadillac XT4 offers numerous advanced safety features including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, safety alert seat, and Teen Driver system. It also offers a long list of optional safety features; such as, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, reverse automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The XT4 features an easy-to-use infotainment system that comes with a crisp, responsive, 8-inch touch screen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes standard with a seven-speaker stereo, four USB ports, Bluetooth, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. An available rear-seat entertainment system, wireless device charging, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and navigation system is an option. For your convenience, a dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, and remote start are standard.
Standard advanced safety features on the Lexus NX include a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist. Available safety features include front and rear parking sensors, surround-view parking camera system, and adaptive headlights. Its Remote Touch infotainment system includes an 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and HD Radio. Additional standard features include a USB port, eight speakers, a Wi-Fi hot spot, keyless entry and push-button start. An available 10.3-inch infotainment display, navigation, and 10- and 14-speaker stereos, as well as a moonroof are available. Its infotainment system looks nice, but the Remote Touch can be distracting while driving, as it is operated using a touchpad on the center console.
Power, Fuel and Price
The XT4 comes with a 237-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that delivers a smooth ride. Its turbocharger will provide an extra boost, but it still struggles to get up to highway speeds and accelerate from a stop. The XT4 gets a respectable 24/30 mpg in the city and on the highway. Standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive is an option.
The Lexus NX delivers 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard; and all-wheel drive is available. It packs a punch with everyday driving, and; and it gets up to speed quickly, with good passing power at highway speeds. The Lexus NX gets an estimated 22/28 mpg city/highway, but dips slightly with the F Sport model.
Overall
The 2021 Cadillac XT4 features a comfortable ride, with great cargo room behind the rear seats, an impressive number of standard technology features, and an easy-to-use infotainment system, at an affordable price. The Lexus NX delivers great performance, a comfortable and relaxing drive, and plenty of safety features, but its Remote Touch infotainment system is less intuitive and distracting.