2023 Cadillac XT5

　　

2023 Cadillac XT5 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　, rating written byChristian WardlawAssociate Manager, Vehicle Testing and Operations

　　Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at zzdcar and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.

　　The 2023 Cadillac XT5 has the potential to hit the sweet spot for a lot of luxury SUV shoppers. It's bigger and roomier than the brand's XT4 but less expensive than the three-row XT6 and full-size Escalade. Low pricing is also part of its appeal, at least to start. But a base-level XT5 is sparsely equipped for a typical luxury buyer, so plan to pay for some upgrades.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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) - $44,195 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $46,195 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $49,995 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $51,995 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $57,095 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　More concerning is the XT5's age. Cadillac launched it back for the 2017 model year and it's behind the times compared to the Lexus RX that has a similar target audience but is freshly redesigned with the latest tech and features. You might also cross-shop the XT5 with slightly smaller alternatives such as the BMW X3, Genesis GV70 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. These small SUVs all have a distinctly sportier character than Cadillac's all-American midsizer. For more details about the XT5's pros and cons, be sure to read our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below