2021 Cadillac XT5 Review

　　

2021 Cadillac XT5 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The XT5, Cadillac's midsize crossover SUV, is getting a bit dated. This current generation debuted for the 2017 model year. Most rivals, including the Lincoln Aviator and Mercedes GLE, benefit from fresher designs. Still, Cadillac has done a nice job keeping the XT5 up-to-date. For instance, the 2021 XT5 now comes with wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That means you no longer have to use a cord to connect your phone to make these systems work.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac XT5 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

　　$188/mo  for XT5 Luxury

　　XT5 Luxury

　　Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $43,995 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $45,995 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $48,795 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $50,795 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $55,095 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　We do like the Cadillac XT5. Strengths include a stylish exterior, a sizable cargo area, and easy entry and exit. Yet the reality is that other SUVs offer a more complete luxury experience. You can read more of our take in our XT5 Expert Rating.

　　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.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the XT5 drive? The Cadillac XT5 has usable performance for everyday driving. Our test vehicle had the V6 and all-wheel drive. The V6 engine is strong, but you'll need to firmly press on the gas pedal to get it going. In zzdcar testing, our test XT5 did 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is an average time for a midsize luxury SUV. The transmission is smooth and downshifts appropriately when needed.

　　Around turns, the XT5 is coordinated and compliant. As an SUV, it doesn't exactly encourage you to seek out winding roads, but it's competent enough once you're there.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the XT5? The XT5 is comfortable, but so are the others in this competitive luxury class. The seat comfort and smooth ride are the highlights. The front seats have decent bolstering and offer plenty of adjustments, while the ride feels planted and is smooth during daily commutes.

　　The tri-zone climate control is nice to have, but it takes a little while to get going. It's the same for the heated and ventilated seats. Oddly, the XT5 isn't as quiet as it ought to be, particularly at low speeds. Around town, you'll hear engine accessory drive noises, creaking interior panels and slight wind noise.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The interior looks nice, and the controls are easy to understand. Cadillac uses an 8-inch touchscreen, which is now on the small size for a luxury vehicle. Having knobs for volume and menu selection helps with ease of use, but some buttons aren't always responsive.

　　The design of the XT5 compromises some visibility, primarily the rear three-quarter view and the narrow rear window. The XT5's driving aids such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are very helpful. And while the XT5 offers generous head- and legroom up front, it does not feel that spacious across the width of the cabin, particularly at the elbows.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The infotainment and technology included in the XT5 are competitive in its class. For example, the optional 14-speaker Bose audio system sounds crisp and powerful, and Bluetooth pairing is easy and straightforward. The XT5 also provides a useful number of charging ports for your devices.

　　The standard voice controls aren't the best, so we recommend using CarPlay or Android Auto. As for advanced safety systems, Cadillac gives you a few as standard, but you'll have to pay extra to access others, such as adaptive cruise control.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The XT5's fold-flat main cargo hold is well shaped and accommodating for a majority of items. It's definitely one of the roomier spaces in the two-row midsize luxury SUV class. But the cargo floor's liftover height is a bit on the high side. The power liftgate allows you to program the height of the opening.

　　Sadly, small-item storage is lacking, particularly in the front of the cabin. The center console is not nearly as big inside as it appears, and the door pockets are a bit on the small side. Front and rear cupholders are just big enough to fit a soda can. Car seat access is decent even though the anchors are tucked pretty tight in the crack of the seats. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds even with the optional tow package, which is below average.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Cadillac XT5 AWD with the V6 has an EPA rating of 20 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway), which is on the lower end of fuel economy for the small and midsize crossover SUV classes. On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, our test XT5 averaged 20.2 mpg. That's about where we'd expect it to be, so the EPA's estimates should be achievable.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the XT5 a good value? Adding options can significantly boost the XT5's price, but that's par for the course in the luxury SUV class. Considering what you're getting, there's some value in the XT5. The exterior looks decently upscale, and the interior materials feel better than in previous models but they're still below what most European rivals offer. The warranty stacks up with the rest of the competition.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The XT5 is a nice-looking SUV that wears Cadillac's older styling theme. The newer XT6 makes the design look a lot fresher, but it's not a far removal from the XT5's design. It evokes the upscale personality that Cadillac's after. This SUV is well behaved day to day and enjoyable when you want to pick up the pace.

　　

Which XT5 does zzdcar recommend?

The Luxury trim is attractively priced, but it excludes desirable features such as a blind-spot monitor or power-folding mirrors. There aren't any packages for the Luxury either, so there's no way to upgrade. Since that's the case, we think it's worth stepping up to the Premium Luxury for those features as well as its versatile lineup of packages.

　　

2021 Cadillac XT5 models

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 is a two-row midsize SUV sold in three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. Luxury and Premium Luxury models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Optional for the Premium Luxury and standard on the Sport is a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft on tap. Both engines are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

　　Front-wheel drive is standard on Luxury and Premium Luxury models, and all-wheel drive is optional. The Sport has AWD as standard.

　　Luxury

　　The base Luxury trim starts you off with:

　　18-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Remote engine start Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Heated front seats Simulated leather upholstery 8-inch touchscreen Eight-speaker Bose audio system Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Four USB ports (two USB-A and two USB-C) Wi-Fi hotspotStandard driving aids include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Safety Alert Seat (vibrates the driver's seat to alert you when any of the safety systems activate)Premium Luxury

　　The Premium Luxury trim adds a few features and opens the door to several notable option packages:

　　Automatic wipers Power-folding mirrors Panoramic sunroof Hands-free liftgate Driver-seat memory settings Auto-dimming rearview mirror Heated, power-adjustable steering wheel Front-seat lumbar adjustment Leather upholstery Interior ambient lighting Wireless charging pad 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)Optional extras for the Premium Luxury include:

　　Smart Towing package V6 engine Seven-pin wiring harness for trailer connection Heavy-duty cooling system Tri-zone climate control (paired with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats) Navigation system (paired with 14-speaker Bose audio system) Enhanced Visibility and Technology package Digital instrument panel Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the XT5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention) Driver Assist package Enhanced Visibility and Technology package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Cadillac and the car in front) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Platinum package Driver Assist package Tri-zone climate control (paired with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats) Navigation system 14-speaker Bose audio system 20-inch wheels Sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers Upgraded leather upholstery Leather dash and door trim Faux suede headliner Illuminated front sill plates Night vision system (displays an infrared image of the area in front of the vehicle in the infotainment display)Sport

　　Includes all of the Premium Luxury trim's standard features and the V6 engine. The above options are also available for the Sport. Specific enhancements include:

　　20-inch wheels Sport-tuned all-wheel-drive system Sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers Heavy-duty cooling system

　　

2021 XT5 Highlights

Trim: LuxuryPremium LuxurySportLuxury

　　

Base MSRP	$43,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles