2018 Cadillac XT5 Road Test and Review

There’s little hotter on the market now than mid-size crossover suvs, and Cadillac is not going to let that market get away. The XT5 (which stands for Crossover Touring 5) replaced the aging SRX crossover for the 2017 model year as Cadillac’s mid-size offering, and now Cadillac is bringing out the compact XT4 crossover for 2019.

Cadillac needed to score a home run with the XT5 to stay strong in the crossover SUV market. Read on to learn if it included the right stuff to earn your business.

Cadillac is known for its distinctive designs, with features like headlights, grille, and body lines that are a little bit bolder than other brands. That’s still true of the XT5, but this SUV doesn’t stand out as much as, say, the Escalade. However, there is no doubt that the XT5 is a Cadillac. From the prominent grille and striking boomerang-shaped LED headlights to the 20-inch wheels and angular lines, this SUV shows the same Cadillac design cues that have characterized the brand since its reinvention in 2003.

The XT5 presents a substantial, but not heavy appearance. This is an SUV that commands respect, but also has the look of performance. To go with that image, the color palette offers six shades that range from black through gray and silver to white, plus a deep red and a deep blue.

There would be little point in buying a Cadillac if the interior was the same as in other GM crossovers. As a result, the interior of the XT5 in any trim level is a high-quality experience. You won’t feel slighted even if you choose the base trim. At the most affordable level, the XT5 still comes with an eight-speaker Bose audio system, for which other brands charge extra. The base trim also includes zone climate control, power liftgate, and keyless access with remote start. 

Moving up the trim levels nets you advanced comfort and convenience features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Cadillac’s Ultraview sunroof in the mid-grade Luxury trim. The Premium Luxury trim adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a special 14-speaker Bose audio system. The top Platinum trim includes features like a hands-free liftgate and a host of tech gear not found on any other XT5.

luxury suv buyers expect technology inside their vehicle — and plenty of it. That’s why the base XT5 comes with Cadilac's 8-inch touchscreen CUE infotainment system with navigation. It supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Every XT5 also comes with OnStar support with 4G/LTE data capability and the ability to generate a Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle. The Luxury trim adds parking assist and a rear cross-traffic alert. The next step up, to Premium Luxury, adds a 14-speaker Bose audio system. Choose the top Platinum trim and you’ll get the whole enchilada, including the camera-based rearview mirror, a surround-view dash display, and a head-up display projected onto the windshield.

Optionally, buyers can add the Driver Assist Package, which gets you adaptive cruise control; automatic parking assist, which will parallel or perpendicular park the XT5 for you; and forward and reverse automatic braking.

Cadillac doesn’t give you a bunch of different engine options with the XT5, and frankly that’s a relief. There’s just one engine, and it’s a good one. The XT5 is powered by GM’s reliable 3.6-liter V6 engine, tuned up to produce 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Similarly, there’s just one transmission on the XT5: an advanced 8-speed automatic that shifts smoothly and has the right gear ratios to move the XT5 along smartly. The XT5 weighs in at 3,985 to 4,356 pounds depending on the trim level, so it needs a good engine/transmission combo.

The one decision you have to make is whether to select front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. AWD is a $3,000 option on any trim level of XT5, and it takes away 1 mpg of fuel economy. The XT5 gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with FWD, and 18/25 with AWD.

The XT5 is a family vehicle, so safety is a big part of the value proposition. Every XT5 includes a full suite of airbags and stability controls. The Luxury trims come with Cadillac’s Driver Awareness Package, including a haptic (vibrating) safety alert seat, a forward-collision alert with low-speed forward automatic braking, following distance alert, front pedestrian braking, automatic high beams, and lane-departure assistance.

As usual, the top Platinum trim is where you get the good stuff. This model comes with the Advanced Security Package, featuring an alarm system, a locking steering column, door lock and latch shields, and even a vehicle inclination sensor. NHTSA gives the 2018 XT5 with AWD the full five-star safety rating, or four stars when equipped with FWD. IIHS rates the XT5 as Good throughout and prefers the LED headlights. Front crash prevention is rated as Superior.

The 2018 XT5 offers 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear row seat, which is far from the most you can get in the mid-size SUV market, but better than some of Cadillac’s luxury competitors. For example, the Audi Q5 offers 27 cubic feet, while the Lexus RX 350 has just 18 cubic feet.

Fold down the rear seat and the XT5 provides up to 63 cubic feet of capacity, compared to 60 cubic feet in the Audi and 56 in the Lexus. It’s also worth noting that the XT5 comes with large storage compartments in the center console, in the doors, and under the floor in the back. There are also convenient rails installed to allow you to use Cadillac’s flexible cargo management system back there.

One of the best reasons to choose a mid-size SUV over a compact model is towing capacity. Many compacts can tow only up to 2,000 pounds, and often less than that. The XT5 can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which puts a lot more camping trailers, toy haulers, and boats within reach.

Cadillac’s hitch trailering package for the XT5 costs just $395, and comes with a standard 2-inch hitch receiver. The kit also includes the wiring to provide a four-wire trailering adapter, which is the standard for light-duty trailers without electric brakes. The hitch is installed by removing a central panel in the rear bumper area of the SUV. The XT5 trailering package can be installed at any dealership.

The Cadillac XT5 is a solid drive and handling contender among luxury mid-size SUVs. Obviously, performance-oriented models from Porsche and Audi will fare better in cornering and acceleration, while softer brands like Lexus and Buick will focus more on comfort. The XT5 has a respectable 6.6-second zero-to-60 time and plenty of power to make a pass on a freeway. Cornering performance is good for a mid-size SUV. The XT5 won’t scare you or your passengers.

All-wheel drive makes a difference in the year-round driving experience. Cadillac has given the XT5 a twin-clutch system that continuously monitors wheel slip and automatically engages the rear wheels as needed to deliver excellent traction. The system can allocate up to 100 percent of available torque to the front or rear axle as needed in slippery or off-pavement conditions.

The market for mid-size SUVs is large, and filled with the best efforts from every luxury automaker. Buyers who are shopping the XT5 should also consider competing luxury mid-size SUVs that include the Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X5, Buick Envision, Infiniti QX60, Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX 350, Lincoln MKT, Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, Porsche Cayenne, Tesla Model X, and Volvo XC60.

Direct head-to-head competitors with the Cadillac include the Acura, Audi, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, and Volvo products. These will deliver about the same levels of luxury and performance as the Cadillac at about the same price. The BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Tesla SUVs cost more, while only the Buick is substantially less expensive. Here’s a wildcard for you — cross-shop the Mazda CX-9 for unexpected luxury at a lower price point.

If we were buying a 2018 Cadillac XT5 for our own use, we’d be tempted to get the base trim, as Cadillac is offering $2,000 in incentives this year, bringing the MSRP to $39,590. The base trim is very well equipped and would be a pleasant and useful SUV. As tested, the XT5 carries a sticker price of $66,510. That’s for a top Platinum trim with AWD and the Driver Assist and Trailering packages. If you’re going all-in, buying Driver Assist makes sense. Once you’ve experienced adaptive cruise control and automatic parking assist, you’re going to want those features forever.

From basic XT5 to Platinum or at any level in between, this SUV delivers an authentic Cadillac experience. If that’s what you want, the 2018 XT5 is a great choice.