2023 Cadillac XT5

Pros:

• Plenty of legroom and headroom in the front and back
• It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other midsize SUVs.

Cons:

• Small windows and mirrors make it hard to see what’s behind them.
• There is little space in the cabin to store small things.
• There is little space in the trunk for a midsize SUV.
• Too much noise from outside gets inside.

How does the XT5 move? The performance of the Cadillac XT5 is good enough for everyday driving. The test car we used had a V6 engine and all-wheel drive. The V6 engine is strong, but you have to push down hard on the gas pedal to get it going. Invoice Pricing  says that our test XT5 went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is typical for a midsize luxury SUV. The transmission shifts down smoothly when it needs to.

The XT5 is well-balanced and easy to turn in. As an SUV, it doesn’t make you want to find twisty roads to drive on, but once you’re there, it’s okay.

How is the XT5 for comfort? The XT5 is comfortable, but so are all the other high-end cars in this market. Both the seat itself and the ride itself are really comfortable. The front seats have enough support and can be changed in many ways. The ride feels solid and smooth on regular trips.

The tri-zone climate control is helpful, but it takes a while to get going. The seats that are heated and calm are the same. Surprisingly, the XT5 isn’t as quiet as it should be, especially at slow speeds. Around town, you’ll hear noises from the engine’s accessory drive, creaking from the interior, and a little noise from the wind.

How does the inside look? The inside looks great, and it’s easy to figure out how to use the controls. The touchscreen in a Cadillac is only 8 inches, which is too small for a luxury car right now. The volume and menu selection knobs make it easier to use, but some buttons don’t always work.

The design of the XT5 makes it hard to see out, especially from the back three-quarter view and the short rear window. Features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert that help the driver in the XT5 are beneficial. The front of the XT5 has plenty of head- and legroom. The rest of the cabin doesn’t look as wide, especially at the elbows.

How good is the tech? The infotainment and technology in the XT5 are on par with other cars in its class. For example, the optional 14-speaker Bose music system sounds clear and loud, and it’s easy and quick to connect to Bluetooth. The XT5 also has a good number of ports for charging your devices.

Because traditional voice commands aren’t the best, we recommend connecting your phone through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Some high-tech safety features, like adaptive cruise control, come standard on a Cadillac, but you’ll have to pay extra for others.

What about putting things away? The main cargo area of the XT5 folds down flat and is a good size for most items. It’s one of the more roomy two-row midsize luxury SUVs. But the liftover height of the cargo floor is too high. The power liftgate can be set to open at a specific size.

There needs to be more space to store small things, especially in the front of the cabin. The center console is smaller on the inside than it looks, and the door pockets are not very big. The front and back cup holders are big enough to hold a Coke can. Even though the anchors are tight in the crack between the seats, getting a car seat in and out is not too hard. Even with the optional tow package, the most weight it can pull is 3,500 pounds, which is below average.

How well does it use gasoline? The EPA says that the V6 Cadillac XT5 AWD gets a combined 21 mpg (18 city/25 highway), near the bottom of the charts for compact and midsize crossover SUVs. On our 115-mile mixed-driving test route, our test XT5 got an average of 20.2 mpg. We’d expect it to be about there, so the EPA’s predictions should be correct.

Is the XT5 a great deal? Adding options can make the XT5’s price go up by a lot, but that’s normal in the luxury SUV market. It has some value when considering what you get with the XT5. The outside looks very nice, and the materials inside are better than in earlier models, but they still need to be better than most European competitors offer. The warranty is on par with what other companies offer.

The XT5 is a stylish SUV that stays true to the classic design style of Cadillac. The new XT6 looks a lot more modern, but it doesn’t look too different from the XT5. It gives off the image of sophistication that Cadillac wants to have. During the day, this SUV is well-behaved, and when you want to go fast, it’s a joy.

You can go with the base Luxury trim level, but it doesn’t offer many upgrades besides more paint colors, wheel styles, and extras. If you like leather and other signs of luxury, we recommend the Premium Luxury because it has more features and options. The Driver Assist package is a must-have if you want adaptive cruise control.

Cadillac XT5 models

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 has two rows of seats for five people and comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The XT5 Sport has a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque (310 hp, 271 lb-ft). All XT5s come with a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims come standard with front-wheel drive and can add all-wheel drive. The Sport always comes with AWD.