Cadillac’s XT5 delivers true SUV crossover luxury and performance

Beach Wheels

 

Recently, I had the chance to test drive Cadillac’s XT5 sport utility vehicle and came away with an appreciation for both its quality and performance.

Mind you, while this is no rock climber, it is an exceptionally comfortable and capable crossover five-person SUV that is perfect for the city and the suburbs.

My tester came dressed in “Radiant Silver” metallic paint and featured a jet black leather interior.

Lightly refreshed for 2020, my Premium Luxury tester came sitting on handsome 20 inch split-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. The sheet metal on the vehicle was sculpted and attractive. Cadillac has attached a good-looking and wider silver mesh grille that features the automaker’s famous crest logo in the center.

Under the hood of my tester was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 237 horsepower and 258-pound feet of torque. That power plant is mated to a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission.

My XT5 turned in a 0-60 mph time of just under seven seconds — not too bad for a bigger vehicle. My tester offered three driving modes — comfort, all-wheel drive and sport. I found sport mode a bit stiff for most city driving.

The interior of my tester places the driver in a truly luxurious yet supportive driving environment. The cabin featured supple leather seating and real wood and brushed metal accent surfaces. 

 

2020 Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury

 

My tester had an 8-inch-diagonal infotainment screen and featured both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as an available Wi-Fi hotspot, heated and ventilated front seats and a 14-speaker Bose sound system that will blow your socks off when cranked. 

My tester had a cool night vision system which displays a warning triangle over any pedestrian it sees. The night vision system is a $2,000 option.

As part of Cadillac’s “Premium Package” lineup, my XT5 also featured performance damping suspension, illuminated door sills as well as tri-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

Safety devices on my tester included heads-up display, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, blind-spot detection, pedestrian collision braking, surround vision cameras and parking sonar.

Being a mid-sized SUV, my CT5 offered good cargo volume at 30 cubit feet — double that with second-row seating folded flat.

In terms of mileage my tester served up a decent 21 miles per gallon in the city, 28 on the highway and 24 mpg combined.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of my XT5, as trimmed and optioned, was $64,490.

Final thoughts: While you can spend more elsewhere or even with the XT5’s top-of-the-line Sport Edition, you’ll be hard-pressed to match the value you will find in the Premium Luxury edition of the XT5. As a spacious luxury family hauler, it will be hard to beat. Buy with confidence.

 

Jeff Mitchell is a Los Angeles-based automotive writer and reviewer. Reach him at j.edward.mitchell@gmail.com

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