Cadillac XT5 vs Audi Q5 vs Lexus NX: Which Luxury Crossover Is For You?
Here’s a run down of the Audi Q5 vs Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus NX luxury crossover comparison. There isn’t really anything inherently bad to say about any of them. It’s more so just weighing which one works best for your purpose.
All three models have very distinctive, attractive looks, and that’s simply a matter of personal taste. For the sake of the comparison, we’ve narrowed it down to three categories: power, comfort and technology. At the end, you should have a better idea of what works for you.
The Promise of Power
Cadillac XT5
We’ll start with the 2018 Cadillac XT5, where the base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. That’s the only option the XT5 offers.
You can pick how you’d like your powertrain to be completed: FWD or AWD. It’s rated at 6.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.
Audi Q5
The 2018 Audi Q5 also offers just a single engine option, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder. It makes 252 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque.
Quattro all-wheel drive is standard equipment on all trims, and that’s certainly something to take note of. Despite lower horsepower, its 0-to-60 time is just 5.9 seconds.
Lexus NX
Then there’s the 2018 Lexus NX. The series starts at the base-level NX 300, producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger. You have your choice of FWD or AWD, and acceleration is slower at 7.2 seconds for 0 to 60mph. But, there’s an option!
The NX 300h is a hybrid powertrain, adding electric rear-wheel-drive to a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The combined power is just 194 horsepower, but the efficiency advantage is nice.
These three luxury crossover SUVs are going to be fun to drive. The XT5 is the only V6, and the engine sound is great. But the Audi Q5 beats it in performance with a lower HP rating, and standard-equipment Quattro AWD locks it in for the win in the performance category.
The Allure of Comfort
For the comfort category, we’re going to look at the top-end trim level each model has available. Hey, it’s a luxury comparison, so the best of the best should be highlighted, right?
Lexus NX
The 2018 Lexus NX F Sport AWD with Luxury Package won’t disappoint. It has perforated leather seating, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and stunning black shadow wood interior trim.
Power folding and reclining rear seats make passengers in the back nearly as comfortable as the front. Bolstered sport seats are in the F Sport trim, and you can choose bright red leather for a racy feel in the cabin.
Audi Q5
The 2018 Audi Q5 Prestige is the top end for this model. It includes your choice of walnut, aluminum, oak or ash trim. Ambient LED interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone climate control are standard.
In the Warm Weather package, heated front seats get the addition of ventilation as well, and manual rear window sunshades are included. Speaking of comfort, we have to mention that adaptive damping suspension greatly increases comfort while on bumpy roads, or any roads for that matter.
Cadillac XT5
The 2018 Cadillac XT5 Platinum tops out its trim selections. It includes a ton of comfort features including a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated premium leather front seats, tri-zone climate control, heated rear outboard seats, and GM’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat.
The UltraView panoramic power sunroof is standard, and it also includes a power sunshade. The XT5 Platinum also gets adaptive damping suspension for amazing road comfort.
It might seem like an unfair advantage to compare trim levels that are $10,000 or more apart. However, the Cadillac XT5 simply outshines the others with available comforts.
The Trance of Technology
Again, because luxury models are about wants not needs, we’re looking at the upper crust of each trim level.
Audi Q5
The 2018 Audi Q5 Prestige certainly offers an exceptional level of technology, short of driving itself. Its Driver Assistance Package includes adaptive cruise control, Audi Active Lane Assist, traffic sign recognition, and high beam assistant.
MMI navigation plus and MMI all-in-touch touchpad are incredible, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system with 755 watts and voice control system integrate with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a fully customizable digital dash system is one of the top features, and the Prestige trim’s head up display is a very close second.
Lexus NX
The 2018 Lexus NX 300 F Sport has a nice assortment as well. Its 10.3-inch dashtop Navigation screen is easily viewed and can be used as a split screen. The Premium Package adds Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, LED daytime running lights, and rain-sensing wipers.
A foot-activated liftgate is available, and intuitive parking assist and adaptive variablesuspension are both standalone options for the F Sport trim.
Cadillac XT5
The 2018 Cadillac XT5 Platinum is phenomenal in the equipment it offers. It includes as standard equipment a hands-free liftgate, head-up display, surround vision camera, and a configurable 8-inch in-cluster display. Add-ons include the driver awareness package with safety alert seat and other collision avoidance systems.
A 14-speaker Bose Studio Surround Sound system plays nicely with Cadillac CUE, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated also. The Platinum trim includes wireless charging, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, rain-sense wipers, front and rear park assist, and a rear camera mirror.
It’s far and away the most equipment offered of the three. The Lexus NX 300 doesn’t keep pace with Cadillac or Audi in the technology segment. Both the Q5 and the XT5 are going to astound you with tech options, but the Cadillac takes a slight edge.
Audi Q5 vs Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus NX: The Verdict
Taking two our of three categories, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 earns top honors in this luxury crossover SUV comparison. The 2018 Audi Q5 takes a very close second place. The Lexus NX 300, well, you can probably scratch this one off your list.
