Used 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 is a 5-passenger luxury SUV/crossover that straddles the line between compact and midsize. That’s good for buyers because they can have plenty of space without paying extra for a midsize SUV.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is standard. There’s also a choice of engines and front- or all-wheel drive. Compared with the typical European fare, the XT5 is an interesting American-made alternative. Then again, so is the Lincoln Corsair, with a lower starting price and a more powerful base engine.

We’d be happier if the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine had a bit more than 237 horsepower. This is below the outputs of German (and Swedish) rivals. But it’s adequate for life in the suburbs and the occasional longer journey. Fuel economy is better than the optional V6 as well.

Naturally, the Sport model is the most entertaining variant, with an adaptive suspension to complement its 310-horsepower V6. It also gains Brembo brakes this year. Brembo is an Italian third-party supplier whose client list includes most manufacturers of expensive, exotic, high-performance cars.

Buyers seeking maximum space for their money really ought to check out the 2022 XT5. It has one of the longest wheelbases in its class (the distance between the front and rear axles), plenty of rear legroom/headroom, and a generous cargo area.

It’s also comfortable and quiet, the materials are of suitably high quality for a luxury crossover, and everything has been put together well. One more change for 2022 is that the XT5 gains new color-keyed mats.

The trade-off between rear legroom and cargo is negotiated with sliding seats. Behind those rear seats is a luggage area of 30.2 cubic feet that can expand to 63 cubic feet when the seats are folded down.

Not everyone likes a massive grille. Thanks, Cadillac, for providing an alternative. One with a distinct styling approach that works just as well as anything else in this class.

Roof rails are standard, finished in bright brushed aluminum for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, black for the Sport. This top trim also has body-colored door handles and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The new Radiant package for the two lower trims adds chrome-finished 20-inch alloy wheels, a similarly shiny grille, and an illuminated scuff plate at the cargo area. Cadillac also offers an Onyx package with gloss black exterior elements and alloy wheels.

Latte Metallic and Rosewood Metallic are new additions to the paint choices.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
For starters, it’s user-friendly. It also comes with wireless smartphone integration as standard, which is super-handy. Wi-Fi is also included.

REAR CAMERA MIRROR
Optional in the top two trims, this looks like a regular rearview mirror but displays the feed from a rear-facing wide-angle camera with the flip of a switch. This gives drivers a clear view behind, regardless of tall passengers in the rear or a full cargo compartment.

LED headlights with automatic high beams, 18-inch alloy wheels, remote start, keyless entry/ignition, heated/power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a powered tailgate all come with the 2022 XT5 in entry-level Luxury trim.

Its infotainment system is replicated across the range, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, natural voice recognition, four USB ports, Wi-Fi, and an 8-speaker Bose audio system.

Safety equipment includes Cadillac’s Smart System array of safety features, which includes forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, following distance indicator, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates the driver’s seat if there’s a hazard approaching either the side. Teen Driver, which allows parents to set parameters (such as audio volume) for beginning drivers, is also standard, along with a rear-seat reminder that warns parents to check the back seat when they leave the vehicle.

Premium Luxury gains blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, real leather upholstery, sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, power-adjustable steering column, heated steering wheel, memory settings for driver’s seat/side mirrors/steering column, rear camera mirror, wireless charging, alarm, cargo management system, and hands-free tailgate operation.

Premium Luxury is our recommended pick of the 2022 XT5 range because of its extra equipment and its eligibility for more options than the Luxury trim, like an adaptive sport suspension. And really, we wouldn’t need the V6. Sport trim has the adaptive suspension, plus Brembo brakes with red calipers.

The top two trims qualify for 3-zone automatic climate control, 14-speaker Bose audio, adaptive cruise control, enhanced emergency braking, reverse emergency braking, 8-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera system, head-up display, night vision, self-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, heated rear outboard seats, DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with two 8-inch screens, and a self-parking system.

Various packages bring exterior additions, nicer carpeting and bigger alloy wheel. Sport trim also offers semi-aniline leather upholstery and dashboard covering, plus a simulated-suede headliner.

The base engine in Luxury and Premium Luxury trims of the 2022 XT5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit developing 237 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.

Premium Luxury is offered with a 3.6-liter V6, which is standard in the top Sport model and makes 310 horsepower. Sport also comes with all-wheel drive included.

Both engines have a fuel-saving stop/restart function to save a few drops of gasoline while idling, as well as cylinder deactivation (Active Fuel Management) when power requirements are light. Each connects to a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Premium gasoline is recommended for the turbocharged engine, regular is fine for the naturally aspirated V6.

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: 22/29 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)