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Cadillac XT6 vs Lexus RX

2025 Cadillac XT6 vs 2025 Lexus RX — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Cadillac XT6

2025 Cadillac XT6

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Lexus RX

2025 Lexus RX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Lexus RX is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $900 a year less in fuel for the Lexus RX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Cadillac XT6 is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Cadillac XT6 has had fewer recall campaigns (12 vs 26).

The two cars

The 2025 Cadillac XT6 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,689 lb.

The 2025 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (350 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 XT6 and the 2022 RX have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 XT6 and the 2017 RX.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
37 city
$3,200
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,300

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
275 hp
198.8 in
Length
192.5 in
77.2 in
Width
75.6 in
68.9 in
Height
67.3 in
4,689 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,288 lb

Safety & reliability

★★★★★
NHTSA overall rating
–
10
Driver-assist features standard
14
1
Recalls (2025)
4
12
Recalls, all years since 2005
26
8
Owner complaints (latest year)
24

Interest

4,045
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,684

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2022
2020
Year to avoid
2017

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Cadillac XT6 if…

  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (12 vs 26 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Lexus RX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2025 Cadillac XT6

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 21% below the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG.

2025 Lexus RX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 41% better than the average 2025 small SUV (25.6 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2025 Cadillac XT6 specs →Full 2025 Lexus RX specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →