The XT5 is Cadillac’s mid-size SUV, a five-seater with decent available tech and a reasonable price tag so long as you don’t dive too far down its options list. Shop it against the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.
It lacks the upscale options found in German competitors, but the 2024 XT5 has distinctive styling, a strong V-6, and a composed ride. It’s a TK on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The XT5’s angular lines give it something of a humpback shape that stands out in this crowded field of competitors. It’s busy outside but cleaner inside, if a little light on personality. A relatively wide range of paint and upholstery colors (some of which cost quite a bit) help liven things up a bit, though.
Underhood, the standard 235-hp turbo-4 delivers competitive acceleration, but the better choice here remains the strong 3.6-liter V-6. This smooth, torquey engine is the kind of blast from the past we can appreciate compared to the occasionally clunky feel of some high-zoot turbocharged competitors.
All models use a 9-speed automatic transmission to send power forward or, optionally, to all four wheels. The XT5’s comfy ride means excellent composure in day-to-day driving. Turn things up and this model’s soft tuning reveals its non-sporty intentions. It’s no corner carver. But for road trips and daily driving, it’s plenty comfy.
Fuel economy doesn’t impress, either. Most versions earn somewhere in the mid-to-low 20s, and Cadillac wants you to use premium unleaded. Don’t look for a hybrid model as you might find in rivals from Lexus and Volvo, for instance.
The big interior offers good space for four or five passengers plus their luggage. Finishes inside are good, if not spectacular, in base form. Leather is a relatively inexpensive upcharge, though. The 8.0-inch touchscreen includes user-friendly infotainment and wireless smartphone projection. It’s not parent company GM’s freshest tech, but it works quite well overall.
Crash-test results have been good and the XT5 comes with basic driver-assistance tech as standard. Adaptive cruise really ought to be standard at this price point, though the XT5 is typical for a small luxury SUV when it comes to this kind of stinginess.
How much does the 2024 Cadillac XT5 cost?
The XT5 runs about $45,300 to start, though its price tag easily crests $50,000 with all-wheel drive, leather seats, and a sunroof. Opting for the V-6 means stepping up to the mid-level Premium Luxury trim level, which vaults the XT to around $55,000.
Where is the 2024 Cadillac XT5 made?
In Spring Hill, Tennessee.
