The XT5 is Cadillac’s midsize SUV. It was originally the SRX, but then got a makeover and a name change for the 2017 model year. For 2018, it gets a few updates. Cadillac says this crossover combines luxury and high-tech convenience features with a lightweight build that improves driving dynamics and fuel economy.
The XT5 competes against some heavy weights in the category including offerings from Audi, BMW, Lexus, Porsche and Volvo. While the XT5 doesn’t have the performance and opulence of many of its rivals, it does have one of the lowest starting prices in the class and gives buyers a lot of bang for the buck.
The five-passenger XT5 comes in four trims: XT5, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum. The base XT5 starts at $40,995, which is one of the lowest starting prices of any midsize luxury SUV. My tester, the top-of-the-line Platinum, starts at $62,995. It comes standard with all-wheel-drive. All other trims have front-wheel-drive with AWD available for an additional $2,500 to $3,000.
The XT5 has one powertrain: a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XT5 is all about delivering a smooth ride, not about athletic driving dynamics. If you want punchy acceleration and sporty handling that will put a grin on your face, the XT5 is not for you. If you want a smooth, surefooted and comfortable cruiser, the XT5 delivers.
Fuel economy is better than most rivals. EPA mileage estimates for my tester are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with a combined rating of 21. I got 21 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The classy interior boasts high-end materials as you’d expect in a Cadillac. My tester has quality leather seating accented with stitching and real wood inlays. Seats are comfortable and supportive. The back seats recline and slide. Taller passengers may want a bit more headroom as the gigantic sunroof eats up some space.
Standard features in all XT5 models include faux leather seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, eight-inch touch screen, eight-speaker Bose audio system, Cadillac’s CUE infotainment interface, Bluetooth, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot, and wireless charging for mobile devices.
Available features include leather seats, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear-outboard seats, panoramic sunroof, navigation, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.
The CUE infotainment system has intuitive menus. But the volume control takes some getting used to. Instead of a knob, there’s a slider on the bottom of the touchscreen.
Many driver assistance technologies are available including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, front parking sensors, active park assist, rear cross traffic alert, a safety alert seat, forward collision alert, forward and reverse automatic braking, front pedestrian braking, automatic high beams (called Intellibeam by Cadillac), surround-vision camera, and a head-up display.
The XT5 has 30 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows of seating in place, and 63 cubes with the back row folded. The second row has a 40/20/40 split providing flexibility in hauling cargo and passengers, and the wide opening makes it easy to load bulky items. A power liftgate is standard and a hands-free liftgate is optional.
The good:
Low starting price for the class
Smooth, comfortable ride
Elegant interior
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard
Lots of available driver assistance technologies
The not-so-good:
Meh handling
Price can climb in a hurry with packages and options
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $62,995. The Driver Assistance Package is $1,595 and adds adaptive cruise control, auto safety belt tightening, forward automatic braking, forward/reverse automatic braking, and automatic parking assist. Trailering equipment is $575. Compact spare tire, cargo net and lateral mesh are $350. Destination charge is $995 bringing the grand total to $66,510.
Bottom line:
If you want a midsize luxury SUV but you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, the XT5 is a good option, especially if you want a comfortable cruiser with a classy interior.
