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What do our experts think of the 2023 Cadillac XT4? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Cadillac XT4?
Now in its fifth year of production, the 2023 Cadillac XT4 is the luxury automaker’s entry-level offering, slotting below the XT5 and XT6 SUVs. Corporate cousin of the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, the Caddy steps outside the shadow of half-hearted badge-engineering efforts from years past with distinctive sheet metal and a luxurious cabin befitting its station within the General Motors hierarchy.
Not much has changed for the XT4 since it arrived in 2019 and updates for 2023 are limited to new colors – Radiant Red and Argent Silver – plus the addition of a lane-change alert, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert to the list of standard driver aids.
2023 Cadillac XT4 – cadillac.com | Shop 2023 Cadillac XT4 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Stands out in a crowd
Plenty of standard driver aids
Large cargo hold
Comically complex packages
Heated seats are optional
Unimpressive powertrain
Looking forward to the 2024 overhaul
2023 Cadillac Specs
- 235 horsepower from base engine
- 258 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 22.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 48.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 3,500 lbs
- 5-Star overall rating from the NHTSA
- Bose Centerpoint 13-speaker stereo
- Six years of 12-powertrain coverage
2023 Cadillac XT4 Powertrain
The 2023 Cadillac XT4 relies on a single powertrain consisting of a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 that pairs with a 9-speed automatic to spin the front wheels with AWD available for an extra $2,500. This setup is good for 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is just okay for tugging the 3,600-pound XT4 around as Edmunds clocked a poky 7.6 seconds in the 0-60 mph test.
Given the XT4’s mission as a cushy transportation module, that’s fine, but the Lincoln Corsair comes standard with a 250-horse engine and the option for a 280-horse setup. It’s one of the reasons we put it on our list of the most reliable compact SUVs, making it a compelling alternative to the Caddy.
As for delivering that cushy ride, the XT4 delivers with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent rear suspension. All three trim lines come with 18-inch wheels standard, which lend a hand in absorbing harsh impacts thanks to fatter sidewalls. For those interested in an even smoother ride, the optional Active Sport Suspension on Sport models features dampers that adjust every two milliseconds to account for wonky road surfaces.
Towing & Payload
The base 2023 Cadillac XT4 can tow 2,500 pounds, which is decent for this segment. Adding the tow package box, which adds a heavy-duty cooling system, trailer wiring harness, and a 2-inch tow hitch, bumps that capacity up to 3,500 pounds. For those in need of even more hauling, check out this list of the best compact SUVs that can tow 3,500 pounds. The Jeep Cherokee takes top honors with a 4,500-pound tow rating.
2023 Cadillac XT4 Fuel Economy & MPG
Cadillac fits every 2023 XT4 with automatic start/stop technology and Active Fuel Management, the latter of which shuts down half the cylinders during low-load driving to improve fuel efficiency. It results in ratings of 23 mpg city and 30 highway for FWD models. Opting for AWD drops both figures by one mpg.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Befitting its position as a luxury crossover, every new Cadillac XT4 comes with a cozy cabin capable of seating five passengers. Standard amenities include active noise cancellation technology, dual-zone automatic climate control, piano black trim, and Interluxe faux leather upholstery.
Acoustic front glass is also standard fare, but genuine leather requires at least a Premium Luxury model as does ambient cabin lighting, a rear cargo shade, and real wood inlays. The best stuff – like a panoramic moonroof, ventilated and massaging seats, and a cabin air purifier – requires a package on all three models.
As for interior space, the Cadillac XT4 acquits itself well against competition like the Volvo XC40, a comparison of which you can read here. The Caddy offers 44 inches of front legroom and 40 inches for rear occupants versus 41 and 36, respectively, for the Volvo. Cargo space is another high point for the XT4, which offers 22.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear bench or 48.9 cubes with that seat folded. In the Volvo, those metrics are 21 and 47, respectively.
Entertainment & Technology
Regardless of which 2023 XT4 you choose, the infotainment touchscreen measures eight inches with no larger version available. However, it does have a redundant rotary controller for when swiping and pushing gets old along with plenty of physical buttons for vehicle systems like HVAC.
Across the board, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as is a 7-speaker stereo system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual USB ports for front and rear passengers. As with creature comforts, the best tech features are locked behind an optional package. That includes the $1,500 navigation system, $875 Bose 13-speaker audio system, wireless charging pad, and head-up display (HUD).
Safety Features
On the advanced safety front, the 2023 Cadillac XT4 stands tall with forward collision mitigation, lane-change alert, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and GM’s Safety Alert Seat all standard equipment. Eight airbags are also on hand, all of which help the XT4 earn a 5-Star overall crash rating from the NHTSA. Adaptive cruise control and automatic parking are both available via separate packages, but it will cost you an extra $2,600 between the two.
2023 Cadillac XT4 Trims & Pricing
Luxury – $37,490
The entry-level XT4 Luxury trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, remote engine start, full LED exterior lighting, and a power-operated tailgate. Cabin features include rear air vents, a power-operated driver’s seat, and leatherette upholstery. On the tech front, OnStar connectivity, four USB ports, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring are all standard.
Premium Luxury – $41,390
For a few thousand extra, Premium Luxury models add rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and driver’s side memory settings. It also includes a lane-keeping system, following distance indicator, and automatic high beams are added to the driver-aid roster. Though it starts at a reasonable $41,000, adding a high-end paint finish and ticking all the option boxes, ratchets that figure up to $54,000.
Sport – $41,990
Priced nearly the same as a Premium Luxury XT4, the Sport model is more of a package that includes black exterior trim, adaptive headlights, and red seat stitching. Like that cheaper model, there are loads of packages offered with the Sport. For $1,650, the Technology package brings wireless charging, an 8-inch gauge cluster screen, and a HUD. The Enhanced Visibility package, which costs $1,500, adds a digital rearview mirror and automatic parking assist. There is also a $950 Comfort and Convenience bundle that nets massaging and ventilated front seats.
Warranties
Cadillac’s warranty is on the generous side for the luxury segment with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic term and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain term. The Porsche Macan, which we review here, only includes four years or 50,000 miles of powertrain coverage. There is also a single complimentary service within the first year of ownership included in Cadillac’s warranty.
What we think
2023 Cadillac XT4 – cadillac.com | Shop 2023 Cadillac XT4 on Carsforsale.com
Though the 2023 Cadillac XT4 pulls you in with eye-catching styling, on the whole, it is a rather bland luxury crossover. Yes, it has ample cargo space, respectable towing ability, and a nice roster of driver aids. But the powertrain is far from exciting and Cadillac forces you to pay handsomely for the best content.
Clearly, the Premium Luxury model is where it’s at as it steps up a level from the base model in terms of amenities, while the similarly priced Sport is merely an appearance package. Be sure to consult the latest new car incentives if you go shopping for one, but consider waiting for the 2024 model as it will bring a much-needed overhaul.
