Used 2021 Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 is a luxury 5-seater SUV/crossover. We described the XT5 above as straddling classes. The XT5 is on the large side of compact, so its closest rivals are really midsize contenders like the Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, both of which are more expensive than the XT5. The Lincoln Nautilus is more of a direct competitor.

Classy and stylish, the XT5 delivers decent performance from its standard turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Or the optional 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 is pleasantly muscular.

The XT5 also has an array of advanced driver assistance systems and technology like wireless smartphone charging, Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration (now wireless for 2021).

It’s worth stretching to Premium Luxury trim for its smooth and comfortable ride quality, extra visual impact, and maximum fuel economy from the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It also has access to most of the XT5’s optional equipment.

Sport trim brings the V6, a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, sport-tuned adaptive suspension, larger wheels, and more. This is the driver’s choice, creating a closer connection to the road and the fastest acceleration.

This Cadillac crossover/SUV offers plenty of comfort, especially on long trips, yet it retains excellent steering feel and solid grip, even when driven aggressively.

All-wheel-drive versions of the 2021 XT5 are particularly adept at tackling wet and wintry conditions. The 3.6-liter V6 and 9-speed automatic transmission are well matched. Together, they make a quick and responsive powertrain. Although we’d prefer it if the V6’s automatic stop/restart system were a little less obvious when restarting.

The Cadillac XT5’s cabin is quiet and elegant. The materials, including optional semi-aniline leather, aluminum, and real open-pore wood, exude quality, while the fit and finish are excellent.

Tasteful color schemes ensure the interior holds its own against the competition. And it’s wonderfully comfortable, thanks in part to a sliding 2nd-row seat. Additional highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard, an excellent infotainment system, color head-up display, and the terrific gotta-try-it-to-appreciate-it Rear Camera Mirror.

Too many SUVs have over-sized grilles. The Cadillac XT5 isn’t one of them. It looks assertive and gets noticed, but the XT5 doesn’t try too hard for attention.

Crisp, clean lines, hard-edged elegance, and a hint of wedge to its shape make the XT5 understated and unadorned, yet finely detailed. The version with the most visual appeal is the range-topping Sport, with more aggressive design details and 20-inch alloy wheels.

This year sees new paint choices of Wilder Metallic, Dark Moon Blue Metallic, and Infrared Tintcoat.

CADILLAC USER EXPERIENCE
The XT5’s Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system features Near Field Communication (NFC) pairing technology, plenty of scope for personalization, and user-friendly controls. However, it also uses an 8-inch touchscreen, which is small by modern standards.

DRIVER ASSISTANCE FEATURES
The 2021 XT5 comes with an array of advanced driver aids as standard, but the optional Driver Assist Package enhances those offerings with upgraded versions of the adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking systems, adding reverse automatic braking and automatic seatbelt tightening.

It’s great when the entry level is called Luxury. The 2021 XT5 Luxury comes with automatic on/off LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated/power-adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, and hands-free tailgate operation.

The CUE infotainment system includes wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, NFC Bluetooth pairing, satellite radio, two USB-A ports, two quick-charging USB-C ports, Wi-Fi (3-month/3GB trial subscription), and an 8-speaker Bose audio system.

Frazzled parents (or grandparents) at risk of leaving the XT5 with a child still strapped in are relieved of that worry by a rear seat reminder feature. They might also appreciate the XT5’s Teen Driver report card system.

Standard driving aids include forward-collision warning with automatic pedestrian and emergency braking, lane departure warning/lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates when the driver needs to pay closer attention.

The upper trims are Premium Luxury and Sport. Premium Luxury brings blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-changing assistance, leather seating surfaces, driver’s-side memory settings, wireless smartphone charging, panoramic sunroof, and a cargo management system.

Sport trim goes further, packing the 2021 XT5 with a V6 engine, all-wheel drive, performance-tuned adaptive suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, and the contents of the Driver Assist Package.

The top two trims are eligible for many extras. A Platinum Package that adds premium leather upholstery, simulated suede headliner, leather-wrapped interior panels, triple-zone automatic climate control, nicer mats throughout, plus special interior colors and materials.

An Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package includes a 360-degree camera system, camera-based rearview mirror, rear pedestrian detection, head-up display, 8-inch driver information display, and parking assistance with automatic braking.

Additional enhancements for Premium Luxury and Sport trims include ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, navigation, 14-speaker Bose audio system, rear-seat entertainment setup, and a Night Vision system using infrared technology to help the driver spot pedestrians and large animals while driving in the dark.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard in the 2021 XT5 Luxury and Premium Luxury models. It makes 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is a lower output than similar engines in rivals from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

A 310 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 is standard in Sport trim and optional in Premium Luxury trim.

Both engines have Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation, direct fuel injection, and an automatic engine stop/restart function.

A smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission powers the front or all four wheels (FWD, AWD); the XT5 Sport has a more sophisticated dual-clutch AWD system as standard.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg (FWD), 21/27 mpg (AWD)

3.6-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
271 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (FWD), 18/26 mpg (AWD)