Cadillac’s XT4 continues to offer grand quality and luxury
Beach Wheels
Cadillac’s smaller sport utility vehicle, the XT4, continues to impress in 2020.
After test driving the 2019 model last year, I was wondering if Cadillac would be able to keep its game up in terms of build quality and fit and finish.
With the 2020 year model, they again passed with flying colors.
Definitely built for the well-paved, urban — shall I say — urbane — world, this sweet crossover continues to be a stylish, upscale family hauler offering serious comfort and luxury.
The XT4 Sport I was given to test was the all-wheel-drive premium luxury version, which sits at the top of the model’s trim line.
My tester featured some nicely styled sheet metal with subtle but not outlandish curves. Sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels, the XT4 gives off a stylish but reserved look.
For 2020 Cadillac has made a series of small changes to the XT4, which, for instance, now includes automated braking in all trim levels. Other safety improvements include forward-collision warning, front pedestrian detection, and a safety seat alert. The whole lineup receives a revised shifter, and a better infotainment rotary controller. The top trim levels offer hands-free liftgates and rear pedestrian detection.
A look inside reveals seats upholstered in soft leather. The heated front seats offer great lumbar support. They also offer the driver a higher-than-normal seating position which provides superior outward visibility. This is aided by thinner front roof pillars and a large windshield.
This Cadillac comfortably seats five adults and features a total of 48.9 cubic feet of cargo space when you fold the second row down flat. Leg and headroom in the back row, by the way, is truly spacious.
The cabin also features a large moonroof, premium sound system, wood paneling, carbon fiber and buffed aluminum touches. Inside the cabin the XT4 comes with a good number of standard amenities, including keyless proximity entry and remote start, an 8-inch navigation-entertainment touch screen and a built-in hot spot for Wi-Fi.
Under the hood of the XT4 you find a turbocharged four-cylinder, 2-liter engine that generates 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This power plant is mated to a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. While you won’t exactly be setting any speed records, this Cadillac jumps from a dead stop with gusto. You will have no problem passing other vehicles on a highway or merging safely onto a freeway. My tester could do 0-60 mph in about eight seconds.
The XT4 handles very competently and is easy to maneuver in crowded parking lots and congested city streets.
The XT4 is available in luxury, premium luxury and sport trim levels. Safety gear in my tester included rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, head-up instrument display, “waterfall”-style LED head- and tail lights with automatic high beams, lane departure warning, a rearview mirror camera, automatic parking assist, following distance indicator and forward collision warning (among others.)
I truly enjoyed the XT4 and can confidently recommend consumers that are in the market give it a thorough look. The XT4 competes directly in price and performance with the Lexus NX, the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Audi Q3, the Acura RDX and the Jaguar E-Pace.
With standard front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is a $2,500 option), the XT4 gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. My tester’s MSRP came in at just under $55,000.
Final thoughts: After driving this SUV in 2019 and again this year, I can say without reservation that you should test drive the vehicle and see if you like it. My guess is that you will. Buy with confidence.
Jeff Mitchell is a Los Angeles-based automotive writer and reviewer. Reach him at j.edward.mitchell@gmail.com