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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot2023 Cadillac XT5: A Luxury Crossover That is Showing its Age
What do our experts think of the 2023 Cadillac XT5? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Cadillac XT5?
Cadillac has added an 18-inch spare tire to the XT5 across the lineup. The top two trims also get navigation and a 14-speaker Bose sound system as standard equipment.
2023 Cadillac XT5 – cadillac.com | Shop 2023 Cadillac XT5 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Excellent interior layout
Spacious cabin
Attractive exterior
Underwhelming driving dynamics
Meager visibility
Lacking features
Can’t wait for 2024
2023 Cadillac Specs
- 237 horsepower from base engine
- 258 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 30 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 63 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Standard 4G LTE Hotspot
- 5-Star Crash Test Rating
- 4-Year Limited Warranty
2023 Cadillac XT5 Powertrain
The base XT5 comes with a four-cylinder engine that develops 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It sends that power to the front wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The mid-tier trim level unlocks a V6 that’s factory-rated at 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It also uses the nine-speed automatic but it can be paired with all-wheel drive. On the top trim, the V6 and AWD are standard.
In practice we found the XT5 to be a fine driver without any big issues. It’s smooth enough and responds well to inputs. Braking performance is particularly good with strong bite when you need it and linear travel too. The biggest issue with the XT5 is simply that other competitors have surpassed it by this point in its lifecycle.
Cadillac has sat this SUV on the fence so to speak. It’s not a sharp driver like the Porsche Macan or the Alfa Romeo Stelvio but it’s also not super luxurious and bank-vault-quiet like the Lincoln Aviator or the Genesis GV70.
2023 Cadillac XT5 Fuel Economy & MPG
At its best, the EPA estimates that the XT5 will get up to 22 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. Adding the V6 and AWD will drop those figures by four each resulting in 18 in the city and 25 on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Slipping into the XT5 is easy thanks to big doors and well-laid-out cabin space. The front seats are fairly comfortable though we wish that the seat pad had more cushioning. Once seated the dash, door cards, steering wheel, and center console make for an attractive environment. There’s no confusion about where controls are placed and it’s easy to adapt to the XT5.
What we don’t like is the cheaper plastics found in the cabin. GM can’t seem to get away from dull plastic switchgear and it’s everywhere in the XT5. The center console is another great example as it might as well have come out of a Chevrolet Equinox. The differentiation between those two brands should be a lot more obvious than it is here.
If you can get past the dull interior materials, the rest of the XT5 is practical enough that it should satisfy most buyers. Cargo space is a highlight with 30 cubic feet of storage behind the back seats.
Entertainment & Technology
Every XT5 comes with an 8-inch infotainment system. It’s equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with a 4G LTE WiFi Hotspot. As user interfaces go, it’s one of our very favorite units in the business. A 14-speaker Bose sound system that was optional last year is standard on the top two trims and really rounds out the entire package nicely.
Four different USB power points are also included in the cabin so that all passengers have a way to charge their devices. A wireless charger sits between the front seats too.
Advanced driver safety aids are a bit of a disappointment though. Automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning are all standard but at this price point, we expect Cadillac to keep up with rivals by offering more like adaptive cruise control.
Safety Features
The NHTSA has awarded the XT5 five stars in its crash testing. The IIHS hasn’t tested this SUV since 2019. Back then it didn’t get any awards but scored very well overall. Like many other vehicles, the headlights were the only blemish in IIHS testing.
2023 Cadillac XT5 Trims & Pricing
Luxury – $45,590
The base XT5 gets 18-inch wheels, an 8-inch infotainment system, LED headlights, power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight speakers, and faux leather upholstery.
Premium Luxury – $51,340
The mid-tier XT5 opens up access to the V6 and AWD. It also adds automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free liftgate, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, and driver’s seat memory settings as standard equipment.
Sport – $58,490
The top trim is only available with the V6 and AWD. It also adds a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded Brembo brakes, 20-inch wheels, a heavy-duty cooling system, adaptive dampers, and access to more packages. That includes the Technology package with a 360-degree camera system, a heads-up display, and a digital instrument panel.
A Platinum package adds upgraded leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and everything from the tech package. A towing package bumps towing capacity from 1,000 pounds to 3,500.
Warranties
Cadillac provides a very slightly longer warranty period than some rivals. The XT5 comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. One maintenance visit is covered.
While we appreciate extra warranty coverage it’s still not as good as you’ll get with Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis. Some competitors like Lincoln offer a lot more complimentary maintenance too.
What we think
2023 Cadillac XT5 – cadillac.com | Shop 2023 Cadillac XT5 on Carsforsale.com
When the XT5 first arrived in showrooms back in 2017, it was a serious step up from the SRX that it replaced. Today, it’s still a nice vehicle to own and drive but its rivals have caught up and surpassed it in terms of value for money. We’d struggle to put it in our top five recommendations in the segment. Still, for those who can find the right deal, the Cadillac XT5 should provide years of comfortable luxury.
