2023 Cadillac XT5 Review, Pricing and Specs

The mid-level Premium Luxury model is the best value for money. It comes with leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, hands-free liftgate, wireless charging and more. We’d go for the more powerful optional V-6 engine, but stick with front-wheel drive. All wheel drive is available if you want it.

Engine, transmission and performance

XT5 standard turbocharged four-cylinder is 235 horsepower, and the optional V-6 produces 310 ponies. With neither engine can it match performance-oriented rivals like the 340-hp Porsche Macan S. However, the Caddy’s performance compares favorably to less aggressive models such as the Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC60. In everyday, light-footed operation, we found the V-6 Cadillac to be impressively quiet and well-isolated from the cabin. However, under heavy throttle, the voice of the larger engine makes itself known unflatteringly. Hit a twisty road and the XT5 will handle it with confidence, although the hairs on the back of your neck won’t stand on end even though it’s equipped with the optional adaptive suspension. Body roll is well controlled and the XT5 feels solid and solid, which is especially comfortable on long trails. However, on uneven sections of broken pavement, you can feel a tremor, and sharp shocks are reflected in the cabin. The steering is precise but lacks internal feedback – another missed opportunity to appeal to enthusiast drivers.

Fuel economy and real mpg

The front-drive XT5 with its standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine is EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. Stepping up to the V-6 drops mpg to 19 city, 26 highway and 21 combined. On both models, the addition of optional all-wheel drive lowers those ratings a bit – a small trade-off for added confidence in bad weather. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the all-wheel-drive XT5 with the V-6 engine returned 23 mpg, while the front-wheel-drive, turbocharged four-cylinder model returned 29 mpg. For more information on XT5 fuel economy, visit EPA website.

Interior, comfort and cargo

Passenger space is acceptable, but the rooms are not as luxurious as they should be in a modern Cadillac. The materials used throughout the XT5’s interior look premium when viewed individually, but when viewed as a whole, the result is a design that feels unfocused. The layout of the interior is good, and the driving position is pleasant. One area where the XT5 excels is practicality. Above-average cargo space, plenty of small-item containers, and an easy-to-fold rear seat make this Caddy the king of trucks. The XT5’s cargo area held an impressive 10 cases with the rear seat. When folded, we fit 24 pieces of hand luggage.

Infotainment system and communication

All XT5 models come with good connectivity right out of the gate, with standard benefits such as an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The CUE infotainment system offers intuitive controls, including a rotary controller and voice recognition. Built-in navigation is also standard on Premium Luxury and Sport models, as is a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. There are four USB ports located throughout the cabin for charging mobile devices, and a wireless inductive phone charging pad is available between the two front seats.

Safety features and driver assistance

Unfortunately, those who appreciate driver assistance functions such as blind spot monitoring, they will waste money. For information on XT5 crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Road Safety (IIHS) websites. Key security features include:

• Standard automatic emergency braking

• Adaptive cruise control is available
• Lane Keeping Assist is available

Warranty and maintenance

Cadillac’s standard warranty matches or exceeds that of most XT5 competitors. Caddy also offers free scheduled maintenance, but it only covers the first visit, which is less than the three years or 36,000 miles that Volvo covers.

• The limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• The transmission is warrantied for 6 years or 70,000 miles
• Free scheduled maintenance is paid at the first visit

More features and specifications