Topic: 2023 Cadillac XT5 Sport

[Blueprint]

This vehicle has been around for so long (2017) that we hardly think of it anymore. Yet, there are tons of them out there. Let's see what makes it tick.

https://www.autohebdo.net/editorial/20230727/cadillac-xt5-awd-sport-2023-essai-routier/

[Blueprint]

First off, let's admit that amongst the crossover masses, the XT5 has a distinctive shape, with very Cadillac-esque details, right down to vestigial tail fins. It's angular where others are round, and the wheels are really pushed off to the extremeties. From up close, lots of details pop, notably with the lighting. It is also right-sized, sharing a tidy platform with the Acadia, Blazer, Equinox and Terrain. The car mags loved the 1st-gen SRX, with its "art and science" styling and rwd architecture - the public, not so much. Then the fwd SRX arrived, which the public loved - the car mags, not so much. Does the XT5 even up the opinions?

[Blueprint]

The 2020 refresh was mostly spent on details, wheels and colours, the basic body remaining the same; IMHO, all is well on that front. Inside, though, it's a hodge-podge of shapes and textures, with bits and pieces replaced over the years to insert new tech, such as wireless charging. The overall vibe is more top-end Chevy than Cadillac though. It's not bad, but very corporate fleet. The XT5 has yet another model year on this Earth; its replacement is due for 2025.

[Blueprint]

Critics and public agree on the exterior styling, and on this : cargo. The XT5 has a tons of room back there, either behind the 2nd row or with everything folded up nice and flat. As a crossover, its very practical. Not so much for towing though: max is 3,500 lbs with the V6 and optional towing pkg, std is 1,000 lbs with either engine.

[Blueprint]

Drivetrains: the 2020 refresh introduced GM's excellent 2.0t 4-banger to the menu, but alas my tester had the 3.6 l V6, again (my last XT5 was a 2018 V6). Competent, if a bit truckish, the corporate V6 looks the same wether it's bolted to a Cadillac, Chevy or GMC. At least you get a gas strut for the hood, but again that's not a Caddy exclusive. The refresh also saw the arrival of a new 9-speed slushbox; it works well, nearly idles the engine on the highway but stumbles around a bit at low speeds. With 310 hp on tap, the six gives XT5 more than sufficient wings for its duty. In urban mixed driving, it delivered a middling 13.1 l/100 km, but at least it's fed with regular gas, a rarity amongst luxury brands. On the highway, that drivetrain is paired with a huge tank to deliver 900 km of range. A similar Acadia gave me a 9.1 on the highway, so it's feasible.

[Blueprint]

Things get interesting down below. The Sport trim gets Brembo brakes up front, 20" wheels and a form of adaptive suspension. While this is no X3 M40i, the XT5 Sport holds its own on the road while offering decent comfort with no floatiness - but I'd love to try the basic suspension setup for comparison. GM chassis engineers do pretty good stuff, and here you can't feel the weight of the wheels through the steering, an immediate tell-tale of how well everything is tuned together. Comfort is there, but the XT5 Sport is more fun to drive than expected.

[Blueprint]

Now, that's how you do a pano roof. The entire front part slides out - this is the biggest open sunroof I have experienced, ever! And no buffeting !! All the better to enjoy the terrific, rich-sounding 14-speaker Bose stereo.

[Blueprint]

At the end of the day, the XT5 is an aging option and the design shows its age in the way new tech was crammed in the interior and through some structural creaks here and there. But it's still better built than the last Q5 I drove, and the base Luxe trim with awd provides a terrific value, being sold at the same price as a CR-V Touring (about $51k). And it offers a practical cabin housed in a distinctive design. The XT5 is in effect the last guardian of traditionnal Cadillac values and perfect for those who don't care about Blackwings but want an Escalade experience in a more reasonable size. With a better interior design and a more refined drivetrain, it would make for a killer value proposal.

[valuator]

Nice write up, lots of these on the road.  The base model is well equipped but the lack of heated steering wheel on that one is a bit of a head scratcher.

[Blueprint]

Nice write up, lots of these on the road.  The base model is well equipped but the lack of heated steering wheel on that one is a bit of a head scratcher.

Thanks! I haven't checked, but sometimes GM has little items like this as stand-alone options.

[valuator]

Nice write up, lots of these on the road.  The base model is well equipped but the lack of heated steering wheel on that one is a bit of a head scratcher.

Thanks! I haven't checked, but sometimes GM has little items like this as stand-alone options.

Just checked, not available.  As ridiculous as it might sound, that's a deal breaker for my wife. 

[Blueprint]

Nice write up, lots of these on the road.  The base model is well equipped but the lack of heated steering wheel on that one is a bit of a head scratcher.

Thanks! I haven't checked, but sometimes GM has little items like this as stand-alone options.

Just checked, not available.  As ridiculous as it might sound, that's a deal breaker for my wife.

Not ridiculous - that's mainly why we moved up to the GS-L trim with the CX-90.