For years Cadillac watched the growth of the compact premium crossovers from the sidelines. It finally jumped into the fray in 2019 with the XT4. In 2020, it lightly updated the vehicle with some additional driver assistance features and it continues with only light changes for the 2021 model year.

Competition in the segment is fierce and the XT4 faces established rivals like the Acura RDX, BMW X1 and Lexus NX as well as more recent upstarts like the Volvo XC40. The handsome XT4 lands right in the middle of the price spectrum between these competitors, but charges extra for features that many of them include as standard gear.

In an age of “Crossover coupes,” the XT4 offers lots of style with its taut lines and hatchback-like rear end, but doesn’t compromise interior space. Cadillac

The 2021 Cadillac XT4 is offered in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. All are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, while all-wheel drive is available for $2,500 across all models.

The XT4’s four-cylinder powertrain won’t be propelling it to any wins at the dragstrip, but there’s more than enough power to make the little Cadillac feel lively and quick around town. It’s quiet, refined and does its job dutifully, if not enthusiastically. Power delivery is smooth, though the top end is lacking enough “oomph” to make highway passing as effortless as many of the XT4’s competitors make it seem. The nine-speed automatic transmission is well-matched to the engine, offering quick shifts and an eagerness to downshift when summoned.

The XT4 is much happier as a leisurely cruiser than it is tearing up the asphalt, despite its athletic looks and Cadillac’s efforts to portray it as a sporty machine. The ride is comfortable and composed, but can get choppy over broken pavement or rough surfaces, particularly with the upgraded 20-inch wheels.

The Cadillac XT4’s interior is a little plain and there’s some hard plastic, but it’s clean, comfortable and modern overall. Cadillac

They may unsettle the ride on occasion but the bigger wheels accentuate the XT4’s best features: it’s chiseled styling and crossover coupe-like profile. With other premium crossovers now selling on style as well as space and ease of use, the Cadillac’s handsome looks serve it well.

Though its dimensions scream compact from nearly every exterior angle, the XT4 is marginally larger than most of its competitors and its cabin is quite spacious. Headroom is generous in front and though the front cabin area is cozy, there’s never a time that either person feels cramped or caged in.

The same is true for the back seat, though the XT4’s size has a larger impact in the rear. Despite having 1.5 inches more rear legroom than Acura’s larger RDX, the back seat can feel tight, especially for taller adults. More than two people in the back seat can feel like one too many cooks in the kitchen. Cargo space is mid-pack for the class, with 22.3 cubic-feet behind the rear seat and 48.7 cubic-feet with the rear seats folded. There’s good news for parents, however, as the XT4’s door shape makes easy work of loading children in and out of the vehicle.

The XT4 comes in three trims, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. It’s more of a boulevard cruiser than a sporty machine, but it definitely looks athletic. Cadillac

Cadillac gave the XT4 a good amount of standard tech but made many features extra-cost options. An 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come standard, and the infotainment system is easy to use and runs well on the standard touchscreen. But features like navigation and wireless charging cost extra. The latter isn’t available on the base Luxury trim and requires a minimum of $1,400 in options on the other two models. Wireless charging costs extra on some competitors, but nearly all make navigation standard on their higher-level trims.

The same is true for advanced safety equipment, where buyers have to pony up extra for the best gear.

Automatic emergency braking and rear parking assist are the only assistance features offered on all trims, though rear cross traffic alerts, front parking assist, and blind spot monitoring are standard on the top two trims. Everything else is part of a package. Lane keep assist and lane departure warnings require the $470 driver awareness package, optional across all models. Rear pedestrian alerts and an HD surround vision system are part of the $1,500 Enhanced Visibility package. Adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking are part of the $1,100 Driver Assist package.

The XT4’s Cargo space is mid-pack among compact premium crossovers, but it uses the space it has well, and is easy to load and unload. Cadillac

Pricey safety tech aside, the XT4’s robust structure earned it a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety administration and good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Cadillac is refined and is certainly a looker, but the class is full of worthy rivals. The Acura RDX and Audi Q3 both win on driving dynamics and the BMW and Volvo offer nicer materials and more standard safety features. Even so, the XT4 is a good crossover that offers an intuitive tech experience, supremely comfortable front seats and striking style.