The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The SRX doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Highlander and the SRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Cadillac SRX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Cadillac SRX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The SRX has not been fully tested, yet.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 60% better than the SRX.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fourth.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better fuel mileage than the SRX:

The Highlander stops much shorter than the SRX:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the SRX (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

The Highlander's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SRX's standard 65 series tires.

The Highlander's front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the SRX's (57% to 43%). This gives the Highlander more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander's turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the SRX's (38.7 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the SRX (8 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the SRX can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 44.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the SRX (144.9 vs. 100.6).

The Highlander has 1 inch more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the SRX.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the SRX.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SRX's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac SRX is limited to 3500 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander has a much higher standard payload capacity than the SRX (1455 vs. 1243 lbs.).

The Highlander has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the SRX (1455 vs. 1249 lbs.).

The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The SRX's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The SRX doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the SRX's headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The SRX doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $190 to $1990 less than the SRX over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Highlander will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the SRX.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $11925 to $12270 less than for the Cadillac SRX.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The SRX isn't in the top three in its category.