2021 Cadillac XT5

Cadillac launched the XT5 for the 2017 model year, and the midsize five-seat crossover has been its best-selling model ever since. 

The market for premium crossovers is growing rapidly and the XT5 must defend itself against popular entries like the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5, which are continuously upping their game. Cadillac lightly refreshed the XT5 in 2020 with new trims, new features and a new engine option. The hot-selling crossover moves into 2021 with only minor changes. 

The 2021 XT5 is offered in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims (starting at $44,990 and $49,790 including destination charges, respectively) come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The $56,090 Sport comes standard with a potent 3.6-liter V6 making 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is a $1,000 upgrade on the Premium Luxury.

Both engines come paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and the two lower trims come with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is standard on the Sport, but a $2,000 extra on the other trims.

The four-cylinder XT5 gets slightly better gas mileage than the V6—22 mpg in town and 29 on the highway compared with 19 city and 26 highway on the larger engine with FWD—but it doesn’t move the hefty SUV with much urgency. Still, it’s quiet and refined.

The larger V6 engine is much more powerful and feels that way in daily operation. It’ll hustle the XT5 to highway speeds and beyond without breaking a sweat but there is a catch: it’s not as modern or refined feeling as the engine in many of the XT5’s competitors. There’s more noise and strain involved with acceleration, but the nine-speed automatic transmission is capable of finding and holding a gear without hunting; though it can sometimes be slow to downshift when asked.

Comfort is the XT5’s strong suit and its ride quality and handling go a long way toward helping the Caddy overcome any gripes with its power delivery (or lack thereof). Even the worst broken pavement and rough roads don’t seem to present much of a challenge for the XT5’s independent rear suspension. While larger wheels can sometimes transmit more vibrations, the Sport model’s adaptive suspension system more than compensates for its 20-inch alloys.

Four people can ride comfortably in the XT5 with little hassle, but five is pushing it, especially with somewhat tight rear headroom. Standard power-adjustable front seats make it easy to find a comfortable and commanding driving experience, and higher trims’ available eight-way adjustments make it even simpler.

The front seats offer generous head and leg room, though the bulky armrest cuts into the space considerably and makes things feel tighter. Tall passengers in the rear may struggle with the XT5’s sloping roofline, but it’s not drastic enough to make it uncomfortable. That same slope cuts into the ability to load and unload large car seats, and an awkward rear door shape doesn’t do busy parents any favors.

Like Chevrolet and GMC, Cadillac’s infotainment system is easy to use, colorful and responsive. The software runs smoothly on the XT5’s 8-inch touchscreen, which looks a bit small but offers wide viewing angles and a clear display. Standard tech gear includes a Bose eight-speaker premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, near field communication pairing abilities, SiriusXM radio, a 4G LTE hotspot and GM’s teen driver mode.

A Platinum package brings a variety of upgraded interior materials and is optional on the top two trims. It adds performance suspension the Premium Luxury model a slightly higher premium ($4,850) compared with the Sport ($3,650).

The XT5 gets good crash scores from NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for highway safety. As it should at this price point, Cadillac offers a handful of advanced driver assistance safety tech for all models. Forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist and departure warning as well as front and rear park assist come standard on all XT5s. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert are standard only on the top two trims. 

A variety of additional driver assist features are available as packages on the top two trims. The $1,300 driver assist package brings adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. The $2,275 enhanced visibility and technology package includes a surround-view camera and front and rear parking assist with braking.

It’s easy to rave about the XT5’s standard features and comfort, but it’s not something that should earn Cadillac extra credit with its buyers. At the near-$50,000 starting price, there are several other vehicles with mainstream nameplates that carry all of the XT5’s gear and more. Cadillac could have at least loaded it’s XT5 with a slew of safety tech and entertainment functions for premium buyers. That said, the vehicle’s sharp but tasteful styling and sublime ride are more than enough to warrant a close look at the Cadillac against its competitors.