Used 2023 Cadillac XT5

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 is good for drivers looking for a comfortable and practical midsize luxury SUV that’s not too big and not too small. It’s a midsize SUV with two spacious rows of comfortable seats, and its starting price is affordable compared to its competitors. Its closest rivals are the Lexus RX and Lincoln Nautilus.

The 2023 XT5 is a carryover model with Cadillac making few significant changes aside from a few new paint options. If you’re looking for a versatile SUV with the exciting performance of a sports sedan, consider one of the more expensive European rivals of the XT5.

Driving the Cadillac XT5 is a pretty unremarkable experience, but we don’t mean that as a bad thing. If you prioritize comfort over thrilling performance, you’ll enjoy yourself behind the wheel of the XT5.

The ride is smooth and comfortable compared to any non-luxury SUV, but some of its competitors are a bit more serene. It gets a little shaky on uneven roads, but if you do most of your driving on the highway and smooth city streets, then the XT5 is poised and comfy.

If you want the XT5 with a little extra spring in its step, then upgrade to the V6-powered Sport model. On top of the engine upgrade, it gets a sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and “Sport Control” all-wheel drive (AWD). The XT5 Sport is no BMW X5 M, but it’s also not nearly as expensive as a high-performance luxury SUV from one of Cadillac’s German rivals.

The interior of the Cadillac XT5 has two spacious rows of seats and a roomy cargo hold to boot. It provides more space than a compact SUV, but it’s smaller and more agile than a bigger 3-row SUV.

The interior design of the XT5 is pleasing to the eyes and the touch. The base trim has nice faux leather seating, and everything above that has genuine leather upholstery. A few nice standard interior features include heated front seats, brushed-aluminum trim, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Like any luxury SUV, it gets nicer as you work your way up the model range and add options. For example, the Premium Luxury trim adds an UltraView sunroof, and the Platinum Package upgrades the interior materials with semi-aniline leather seats, premium carpeted floor mats, and more.

The Cadillac XT5 speaks the American luxury brand’s design language with sharp lines, a unique light signature, and a prominent front grille. Some SUVs in this class tend to blend together, but the Cadillac stands out.

The look of the XT5 changes a bit depending on how you option it, but there isn’t a ton of visual variety in its lineup. The Sport model has a sporty appearance package, the Onyx Package adds more dark accents, and the Radiant Package adds more chrome.

The size of the XT5 is in line with competing midsize 2-row luxury SUVs. Its dimensions are similar to the Lincoln Nautilus, Land Rover Range Rover Velar, and the 2-row version of the Lexus RX.

WIRELESS ANDROID AUTO AND APPLE CARPLAY
These convenient features bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in your SUV without needing to take your phone out of your purse or pocket.

PLATINUM PACKAGE
The posh Platinum Package available on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims adds an extra level of luxury to the XT5 with semi-aniline leather seating, a sueded microfiber headliner, premium carpeted floor mats, and more.

The Cadillac XT5 is well-equipped for a luxury SUV at this price point. Inside, standard features on the base Luxury trim include heated and power-adjustable front seats, Inteluxe faux leather upholstery, a drive-mode selector, aluminum brushed interior trim, and dual-zone climate control. On the outside, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate.

The standard infotainment system is loaded with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The standard Cadillac Smart System suite of driver assistance tech features includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, an HD backup camera, Safety Alert Seat with vibration warning, rear seat reminder, and Teen Driver mode. You also get a following-distance indicator, front and rear parking sensors, and seven airbags.

One of the most popular options for the XT5 is all-wheel drive. AWD is optional on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, and it’s standard on the Sport trim. Another appealing option is a 310-horsepower V6 engine — an option on Premium Luxury and standard on Sport.

Upgrading to the Premium Luxury trim adds many desirable features. It comes standard with leather seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, an UltraView panoramic sunroof, a memory package, and a heated steering wheel.

The Sport trim delivers what its name implies. On top of the standard V6 engine, it has a sport-tuned suspension and AWD system, Brembo brakes, and a sporty appearance package with 20-inch wheels and high-gloss black exterior trim.

A couple of desirable option packages include the Platinum Package, which upgrades the interior materials, and a Technology Package that adds a digital gauge cluster, head-up display, surround-vision camera, and more tech features. A Driver Assist Package adds adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening.

There are two engines available under the hood of the Cadillac XT5. The base engine is a turbocharged 4-cylinder, and a naturally aspirated V6 is optional. The 4-cylinder is more fuel-efficient, but the V6 gives you more power if you’re willing to pay for the fuel economy penalty.

Every XT5 comes equipped with a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

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)