The Cadillac XT5 has been on the market for seven years, yet it still has a beautiful, stand-out look. It succeeded Cadillac’s initial crossover, the SRX, and was the luxury automaker’s best-selling vehicle in the late 2010s when it was introduced as a 2017 model. After a successful facelift in 2021, the large Escalade surpassed the XT5 in sales, although it is still doing well. The XT5 provides midrange room at a price far below larger midsized like the BMW X5 and is just marginally larger than small luxury crossovers like the BMW X3. The only flaw? It’s hard to call this old SUV “affordable.”
The XT5 hasn’t seen much modification since its minor update in 2020, which included a four-cylinder basic engine and additional technological features in 2021. Since the brand is dedicated to electrification and the midsize Lyriq is currently on the market, there won’t be any significant alterations until at least 2025. Cadillac now offers two engines—a 310-horsepower V6 and a 235-horsepower four-cylinder—along with three XT5 trims—Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
The tiny X3 is only 3.7 inches longer than the XT5, 189.6 inches long, while the Genesis GV80 is 5 inches shorter. These tweeners include the Jaguar F-Pace, Lexus RX, and Lincoln Nautilus, whereas Cadillac focuses on cheaper models like the X3, Audi Q5, and Genesis GV70. Although their base models are more affordable than Cadillac’s, Lexus and Lincoln’s top trims are more expensive. The XT5 offers lots of room and holds its own against Lincoln and Lexus in several ways, but other rivals seem more plentiful and exciting.
The XT5 isn’t very athletic, but it’s also not a couch potato. The optional V6 (which begins at more than $54,000) is the engine to have, even if the four-cylinder is acceptable. The 4,200-pound vehicle will reach 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is decent but not astonishingly quick. Even though it discourages spirited driving, the Cadillac can manage winding roads well. Although it rides as silently and smoothly as you would expect from a Cadillac, the optional huge 20-inch wheels may make the ride harsher on uneven roads.
The XT5 is exceptionally comfortable inside, with lots of space in each seat and plush yet firm seats. The inside is a mix of expensive and inexpensive materials. Although there aren’t many cheap plastics, they don’t seem as plentiful as a Genesis or Lincoln or as technologically advanced as a Lexus or a Jaguar. Although many connection options and an easy-to-use infotainment system are running on the primary 8-inch screen, the display feels undersized compared to many more recent rivals. Despite being only roomy, the cargo compartment is much larger than the X3’s.
With a large selection of active safety systems, a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, Cadillac offers a good quantity of standard equipment. The weak point about it, however, is that some of the most excellent features are only provided as extras on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims. A $1,300 option includes adaptive cruise control, which is standard on Genesis and Lexus vehicles. Even the most basic Luxury models lack navigation. The XT5 has many positive aspects. However, this lowers its perceived worth.
Performance: Cadillac XT5
The 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder standard engine is the first of two available engines from Cadillac for the XT5. It has 258 pound-feet of torque and 235 horsepower. These days, the carmaker often refers to outputs in Newton meters, and four-cylinder vehicles have a little “350” logo on the tailgate to indicate those “Nms.” A 3.6-liter non-turbo V6 with 310 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque is the available engine, and those numbers get a little “400” for their Newton meters. Both are connected to nine-speed automatic gearboxes that vary somewhat.
Expect not much speed from the four-cylinder XT5, although it does get better gas efficiency than the six-cylinder and weighs roughly 300 pounds less. With zero-to-60 times of about 8.0 seconds, this engine will be more than acceptable for most drivers but not performance enthusiasts. We timed the V6 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, making it much faster. Additionally, it has a bit larger towing capacity. Both XT5s aren’t great at towing, but the V6 can pull 3,500 pounds compared to the four’s 1,000.
The XT5 excels at highway cruising and comforting its passengers with its quiet interior and comfortable ride, but unlike the wafty Lincoln Nautilus, it doesn’t wholly forgo handling. The XT5 feels relatively accurate and retains its composure on winding roads. It helps that the Premium Luxury grade also has an optional adjustable suspension system. Even in pretty difficult cornering, the XT5 doesn’t understeer excessively for a large front-drive car despite the regular suspension being less flexible and responsive. The tires don’t roar in disapproval, either.
The top-tier Lexus and the V6 Lincoln are faster, while Jaguar and BMW have them all beat in performance. The XT5 is undoubtedly a more eager driver than most RX or Nautilus models.
Fuel efficiency:
With either engine, the 2023 Cadillac XT5 offers essentially average fuel efficiency. The EPA rates Front-wheel drive four-cylinder vehicles at 24 combined mpg (22 cities, 29 freeways), while all-wheel drive four-cylinder models get 23 combined mpg (21 cities, 27 motorways). The four-cylinder X3, RX, and F-Pace achieve 24 or 25 mpg combined even with AWD, which is better than the Lincoln Nautilus’s combined maximum of 23 mpg. With a combined fuel efficiency of 36 mpg, the four-cylinder hybrid Lexus RX is the most economical car.
According to the EPA, V6 XT5s get a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg with front or all-wheel drive, although front-drive vehicles achieve 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, compared to 18 and 25 for AWD models. In over 200 miles of testing, the V6 XT5 Sport delivered slightly under 20 mpg in the real world. This is almost on par with the V6 Lincoln Nautilus, while the inline-six X3 M40i xDrive from BMW gets 23 mpg combined compared to the six-cylinder F-Pace’s 22.
Safety and driver support technology:
The 2023 Cadillac XT5 is rated five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Still, it only receives a few “good” ratings across various tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Direct rivals of the XT5 get the organization’s top ranking, Top Safety Pick+.
Although Cadillac provides a wide range of active safety features, not all are available on every model. The Luxury model has automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, frontal collision warnings, lane departure alerts with lane keeping, and a following distance indicator. Blind-spot recognition and rear cross-traffic signs are also available on premium Luxury and Sports versions, although they cannot be added to the basic model.
The same applies to improved automated emergency braking, surround view monitoring, reverse automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. You’ll need to fork up $1,300 for the driver-assist package and $2,275 for the technology package, which also comes with a head-up display, to obtain all of them. Only with the wheel kits with 20-inch wheels is night vision an option.
Comfort and Space
The XT5’s well-bolstered yet comfortable seats first seem firm but lose that feeling as the kilometers pass. Because they are so supportive, almost any driver should be able to find comfort in the front. Only NBA players can distinguish between the Nautilus’s 42.8 inches and the Caddy’s 41.2. However, there is still more excellent front legroom than most of its immediate rivals.
The rear seat also sparkles. There is space for even tall people in the back, with 39 inches of rear legroom and 38.4 inches of rear headroom, so there is no need to make accommodations for the driver or front passenger. The Nautilus is the leader in comfort in this category and has one of the most comfortable back seats in the class, while the XT5 offers up to 2 inches more rear legroom than its direct rivals. Fitting large kid seats is also made simple by the large doors and open interior.
Infotainment: Cadillac XT5
The infotainment system in Cadillac, like that in many other GM models, is quick, colorful, and simple to operate. A bright, clear 8-inch touchscreen that seems a little tiny in the large dash of the XT5 runs the software flawlessly. Larger displays are now available from several rivals, including Lexus and Jaguar. Bose eight-speaker premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, near-field communication pairing capabilities, four USB ports, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and GM’s teen driver mode are just a few of the excellent standard tech features.
All controls are odd or awkward except for the volume knob (placed on the console). With no irritating pushbuttons, a rotary infotainment controller, touchscreen and steering wheel controls, and shifter functions, it even looks like those in the BMW X3 and X5. The screen in the Cadillac may not be the largest in its class, but it is one of the most user-friendly.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Although Cadillac gives the XT5 more excellent interior room for passengers than for freight, it can tote many goods. When the back seats are folded, 63 cubic feet of storage space are available behind them. That is much higher than the Lexus RX350h, which has 46.2 cubic feet overall and 29.6 cubic feet behind row two, but less than the Jaguar F-Pace (31.5 and 69.1), the Nissan Nautilus (37.2 and 68.8), and about on par with the BMW X3 (28.7 and 62.7).
Storage for small items is adequate but not superior to any of this vehicle’s main rivals. The console behind the shifter has an almost hidden cubby, although it isn’t practical.
Design Cadillac XT5
The XT5’s design language has developed from that of the SRX, which it replaces. Even while it still stands out from the competitors, it is now well-known after all this time. It has nothing wrong with it, but it blends in more than it should. Like the new red tone, bright colors are beneficial but more expensive. There are more unique choices like Jaguar, Lexus, and Lincoln, but not everyone loves the Lexus’ massive “spindle” grille, and the XT5 has a more cohesive, expressive look than the BMW X3.
Although the XT5’s interior isn’t as luxurious as those from Genesis or Lincoln, the materials are nonetheless decent. However, the pattern feels a touch dated, particularly in plain black. The materials utilized in the XT5 are undoubtedly finer and more expensive than those in Buick and Chevrolet’s interiors. Still, without color distinction, the similarities to its corporate relatives are eerily striking. Although you have to pay more for them, Cadillac does offer several contrasting colors that draw attention to its design.
Is the Cadillac XT5 worth it?
Since the first release of the XT5s for the 2023 model year, Cadillac has increased its pricing; the basic model XT5 Luxury now costs $45,590 (with a $1,395 destination charge).
Even though the Luxury trim includes many basic amenities, it prevents prospective owners from accessing the vehicle’s top-tier capabilities. Instead, we’d avoid that grade for the Premium Luxury ($51,340) trim. While we would forego AWD (which adds $2,000 to the price), we would also add the V6 for $1,000.
The XT5 line’s most excellent deal is here, and the preceding AWD makes space for the driver assistance package’s upgraded automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and reverse automatic braking ($1,300). Additionally, buyers can purchase the $2,275 technology package, which features a head-up display, upgraded digital instrument cluster, and rear pedestrian detection. The Sport’s adaptive suspension, semi-aniline leather, and other luxuries are included in the $4,850 Platinum package, but you’ve spent over $60,000.
Adding additional upgrades also puts it in competition with quicker, more prominent, or more abundant rivals, sometimes with more equipment and interiors that seem far more unique. The top-spec Sport ($58,490) has the most equipment, making the V6 standard.
How Much Does the Cadillac XT5 Cost to Insure?
The Cadillac XT5’s insurance rates are comparable to those of its top rivals. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record ranges from $2,052 to $2,277, depending on the model. The Lexus RX costs between $2,283 and $2,579. The Audi Q5 costs between $2,543 and $2,654, the Lincoln Nautilus between $2,118 and $2,356, and the Lincoln MKZ between $2,118 and $2,355.
Our Finding
The Cadillac XT5 boasts a unique style, ample room, high-quality materials, and many included connection capabilities. It is more significant than most compact luxury crossovers but smaller than most midsized ones. While it isn’t incredibly athletic, the 310-horsepower V6 makes it elegant, quiet, and competent. However, it rapidly becomes pricey, and several desired amenities (like adaptive cruise control) are additional costs and only available on the top versions, even if they provide more space than small competitors at a price lower than midsize ones. Even with the most excellent options selected, the XT5 doesn’t seem as plentiful or as good of a deal as some of its competitors.
