2021 Cadillac XT4 Review

　　

2021 Cadillac XT4 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2021 Cadillac XT4 is the smallest SUV in GM's luxury division, slotting below the XT5 and XT6 SUVs. Changes for 2021 are minor, with additional features on certain trims. Overall, it's the same basic vehicle Cadillac released in 2019. As such, you're getting a spacious cabin with plenty of room for both people and cargo. We also like Cadillac's current infotainment system. Controls for the radio, media and navigation are huge improvements on what's in some older Cadillac models.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac XT4 Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$177/mo  for XT4 Luxury

　　XT4 Luxury

　　Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $35,795 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $38,295 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $39,795 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $42,295 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $39,995 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $42,495 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The XT4 competes in a very competitive segment, however. Some of our favorites include the recently redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3 as well as the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Lexus NX 300. Read our Expert Rating on the XT4 for our in-depth analysis.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the XT4 drive? The XT4 packs ample power, enough for quick passing maneuvers, but it's slow off the line (0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds in our tests) and it gets winded at higher speeds. A distinct lack of steering feel and an often slow-witted transmission further hamper the XT4's sporting pretensions. Other qualities, such as braking and handling, are average.

　　With a light foot, the XT4 stays calm and is usually in the right gear. But more aggressive driving can catch the transmission out, either trying not to downshift or downshifting too many gears at once.

　　

Comfort

6.0/10

　　How comfortable is the XT4? With a busy, often unsophisticated ride and a surprisingly noisy engine, the XT4 does not represent Cadillac's best effort. There's constant jitter from all four wheels on less-than-perfect roads and a never-ending stream of impacts on rough patches. This look isn't good for a luxury SUV.

　　Thankfully, the seats are comfortable for a variety of body types and offer plenty of lower lumbar support. Uniform air circulation keeps the cabin evenly warm or cool, aided by the optional heated and ventilated front seats. (The rear seats can also be heated.) But the XT4's engine is loud and unrefined, and in combination with excessive road noise at highway speeds, hardly seems up to traditional Cadillac standards.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The XT4 makes a strong initial impression with a stylish and modern interior. But some of the controls seem unnecessary or overthought and difficult to use without errors and frustration. The dash controls are easy to figure out, but the steering wheel buttons and multimedia knob are clumsy.

　　Hopping in and out of the XT4 is easy thanks to the wide front door openings. The rear door openings aren't as generous, but there's plenty of legroom back there. Headroom gets a bit pinched in the rear seat, especially with the optional panoramic sunroof, but there's enough room for two adults to sit comfortably. The front of the cabin feels open and airy, and it's easy to find a comfortable driving position with good visibility.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The XT4's infotainment system is quick, sharp and easy to use. The integrated navigation system looks a bit like Android Auto — a good thing — and the optional Bose audio system is impressive even at high volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with USB and USB-C connections. There's also a wireless charging pad and new wireless functionality for CarPlay and Android Auto if you want to go cable-free. The main drawback is that the multimedia control knob is clumsy and unnecessary; it can only scroll and doesn't work in some menus.

　　The forward collision warning and adaptive cruise systems are well calibrated and not overly sensitive. However, Cadillac has chosen to bundle electronic driver aids like those into option packages that aren't available on the base trim level. That's disappointing for this class of vehicle.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Cargo space is about average for the class. The split rear seats fold nearly flat and enhance versatility. There's also plenty of small storage spaces for drink bottles and personal items up front but less so in the back.

　　Child seats are easy to install thanks to easily accessible car seat anchors cleverly concealed under the leather upholstery. Large rear-facing seats may require taller drivers or front passengers to scoot up some. An inexpensive optional towing package allows the XT4 to pull up 3,500 pounds, which is about average for the class.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The XT4's EPA-estimated fuel economy is about average for the class. But we struggled to achieve the EPA numbers in our own testing, even with a substantial amount of highway driving. Like many other vehicles in this class, the XT4 requires higher-priced premium fuel.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the XT4 a good value? Luxury-car value comes from intangibles that create a premium experience, with price often a secondary concern. But the XT4 competes in a more affordable luxury class, where money is expected to go a bit further. Here, the Cadillac doesn't do much to distinguish itself. Interior quality is a mixed bag — the leather upholstery feels rich and pliable, but it's accompanied by low-grade plastic panels. Fully loaded, this baby Cadillac can cost almost as much as more luxurious SUVs such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC.

　　Warranty coverage (four years/50,000 miles) is consistent with the class, but powertrain coverage (six years/70,000 miles) is better than most. Roadside assistance coverage is also above average.

　　

Wildcard

6.0/10

　　With distinctive styling and a sleek interior, the XT4 does a good impression of a compact luxury SUV. But its performance and refinement come up short compared to European and Asian rivals, which are quieter, ride smoother and offer more dynamic performance. There's just not a lot of compelling evidence to land on the XT4. It's a solid choice for buyers who prefer to buy American. Although at this price, we'd give serious thought to a fully loaded Buick Encore instead.

　　

Which XT4 does zzdcar recommend?

Of the three available trims, we suggest going with the Premium Luxury model. It has plenty of standard features including leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.

　　

2021 Cadillac XT4 models

The 2021 XT4 is available in three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. Each one is powered by turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (237 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available across the board.

　　Luxury

　　The base Luxury trim comes decently equipped. Features include:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Keyless entry with push-button start Remote start Dual-zone automatic climate control Power liftgate Power-adjustable front seats Simulated leather upholsteryThe Luxury also comes with:

　　4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration 8-inch touchscreen display Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)Options include:

　　Cold Weather package Heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel Driver Awareness package Following distance indicator Lane keeping assist with lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane and can make minor steering corrections to keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Upgraded Bose audio system SunroofPremium Luxury

　　The Premium Luxury model builds on the Luxury trim, adding:

　　Memory settings for the driver's seat Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Hands-free liftgate Rain-sensing windshield wipersOptions include those on the Luxury trim plus:

　　Driver Assistance package Requires Driver Awareness package Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the XT4 and the car in front) Reverse emergency braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Comfort and Convenience package Massaging and ventilated front seats Technology package Air ionizer (helps filter air in the cabin) Head-up display Power-adjustable steering wheel Wireless phone charging Comfort and Technology Preferred package A single option that includes all features from those packages Enhanced Visibility package Rear pedestrian alert Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the XT4 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automatic parking assist (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention) Sport

　　The Sport trim level is basically an appearance package for the XT4. It generally mirrors the Premium Luxury trim in features and options. Changes include:

　　Seats with adjustable bolsters Sport steering wheel Body-colored exterior trim and accents including the grille, mirrors and door handles Red brake calipersOptions include:

　　20-inch wheels Sport suspension with adaptive dampers

　　

2021 XT4 Highlights

Trim: LuxuryPremium LuxurySportLuxury

　　

Base MSRP	$35,795
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$177/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles