2020 Cadillac XT5

For the 2020 model year, Cadillac made quite a few changes. The 2020 XT5 comes with a premium-looking exterior styling and a well-built cabin that hosts a heavy dose of features and comforts. The vehicle comes with a high starting price tag while rivals offer less expensive base trims. The 2020 XT5 rivals the likes of Buick Envision, Infiniti QX50, and Volvo XC60.

For 2020 MY, Cadillac has revised the XT5’s trim levels. The XT5 comes in 3 trim choices: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The base model has been renamed to ‘Luxury’ which packs more features compared to the 2019 MY. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims are powered by a 2L turbo Inline-4 engine, while the Sport trim is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine. 

You can have the base trims in both FWD and AWD drivetrain configurations however, the Sport Trim comes in standard AWD config. Moreover, the 2020 MY brings new and more standard safety features. Apart from the standard features, you can equip it with plenty of optional features via packages.

Which Trim should you buy?

The base trim is loaded with a long list of features. However, the ‘Premium Luxury' makes more sense considering the value it offers. Moreover, an optional 3.6L V6 engine is available with this trim. Additionally, we recommend opting for the Navigation and Bose Performance Audio Package, Platinum Package, Cargo Convenience Package, and Trailering Package.

The 2020 XT5 is fitted with a couple of engine options. As standard, the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims come equipped with a 2L Turbo inline-4 engine, while the Sport trim is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine. The standard 2L Turbo inline-4 engine comes mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This duo generates 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 2L Turbo 4 pot motor feels refined. It can do 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, reach a quarter-mile within 15.3 seconds.

 The 3.6L V6 offers more power at the cost of fuel economy. The V6 generates a massive 310 hp and 271 lb-ft torque. The power and performance put out are impressive. Both the Inline-4 and V6 engine feels smooth and offers a good punch in the lower revs due to the high torque. The V6 is offered with a standard AWD drivetrain while the base trims with 2L turbo inline 4 motors can be had with both FWD and AWD drivetrain configurations.

Compared to the Caddy XT5, a similarly equipped Volvo XC60 T5 Inscription is more enthusiastic to drive. The base trims of rivals offer similar performance and are a lot cheaper but they miss out in terms of creature comforts. Despite being the top of the lineup, Envision Premium trim is still the least expensive but offers the best power and performance. XT5 is the lowest in terms of power and performance on paper as well as on roads.

How well does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 handle?

When it comes to handling, the XT5 is as good as you can imagine. The XT5 despite being an SUV doesn’t drive like one. The steering feels smooth and responsive. It takes on corners confidently and treads nicely through curves. The lower curb weight results in minimal body roll while taking a sharp turn. The optional AWD drivetrain offers a more engaging driving experience. 

With the power of the V6 when combined with the AWD system, the SUV does well in bad road conditions. The suspension has been returned for the new MY. Unlike the previous years, the suspension feels softer and the change is apparent when you drive one. In short, the XT5 offers delightful handling considering it’s an SUV.

2020 Cadillac XT5 Braking Performance

The 2020 XT5 offers decent power and performance. Moreover, the SUV weighs 3,915 pounds. So stopping an SUV that weighs almost 4000 pounds, there must be a good enough braking system. Customary to that, Cadillac fits the XT5 with 13.6” ventilated disc brakes at the front and 12.4” solid disc brakes at the back. The braking system is further equipped with ABS, EBD, Hill Hold, Ready Brake Alert, Auto-dry, Front and Rear Brake Assist, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking. The brakes work well and help bring the SUV to a stop in 111 feet.

The XT5 comes fitted with large disc rotors measuring 13.6 inches in the front and 12.4 inches in the rear and is one of the lightest SUVs of all. The lower curb weight and good brakes help it achieve decent braking performance. The XT5 comes to stop within 111 feet, which is better than its rivals. On the contrary, Buick’s Envision takes the longest to stop.

Cadillac offers a couple of engine options for the XT5. The 2L turbo inline-4 engine returns 21,26,23 MPG in the city, highways, and combined driving cycles respectively. With a 21.7-gallon fuel tank, the SUV manages to offer 564.2 miles on the highways. The 3.6L V6 engine on the other hand returns slightly less fuel economy at 18,25,20 MPG in the city, highways, and combined driving cycles respectively.

The XT5 offers a decent fuel economy but the QX50 despite being powerful offers the best fuel economy in the lot thanks to its CVT transmission. Envision offers fuel economy and the smaller fuel tank affects its driving range as well. XT5 on the other hand comes equipped with a very large 21.7-gallon tank which helps it offer the best driving range in the lot.

The cabin of the 2020 XT5 is practical, spacious, and feature-packed. It can seat 5 people with enough room both at the front and back. The features depend on which trim you buy. The base trim called ‘Luxury’ now comes packed with 8-way power-adjustable front bucket seats. The seats are covered with Jet Black Leatherette seating surfaces. The interior trim comprises Jet black cloth with Lunar Brushed Aluminum inserts. Other standard features include Dual-zone automatic climate control, cabin air filter, leather-wrapped steering w/ controls, and many others.

The seats are wrapped with Jet Black Leather seats with Perforated inserts in the Premium Luxury trim. Other standard features comprise heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, driver seat memory, and sunroof. The flagship Sport trim adds premium Floor Mats, leather inserts, and heated rear seats. However, the cargo space is not officially disclosed.

All the SUVs provide 5-seating accommodation as standard. The QX50 offers the best passenger space on both seats. In terms of cargo capacity, it also happens to be the best offering 31.1 cu ft of space. On the contrary, the Volvo XC60 offers the least cargo capacity and interior space. When it comes to front-row seats, XT5 offers the best legroom. Standout interior features include:

• 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seats w/ lumbar support
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Tri-zone climate control
• Leather Seating Surfaces with Mini-Perforated Inserts
• Cabin air filter
• Premium carpeted floor

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The Cadillac user experience infotainment system on the 2020 XT5 has been updated. Compared to the previous button controls, the new model comes with an 8” touch LCD along with a built-in rotary knob. What makes the XT5’s infotainment system special is the 8-speaker premium audio system by Bose that’s offered as standard. Other than that, you also get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, Bluetooth Hands-free. Additionally, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot are built to make it more functional. The upper trims like Premium Luxury and Sport fit in a 14-speaker Bose Audio system and Wireless charger as standard. Standout Infotainment features include:

• 8” color touch LCD
• 14-speaker premium audio by Bose
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming
• 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Wireless Charging Pad

Cadillac is quite popular for making premium-looking cars. You can spot a Caddy easily thanks to the distinct styling. Additionally, the logo that is placed in the grille makes them look authentic and distinct. The XT5 comes with a minor design revision for the 2020 Model year. It gets the same design for the headlights and taillights. However, the front grille also looks more prominent and wider. 

At the back, the LED tail lamps look more pleasant. The Sport trim comes with high-gloss exterior accents that make it look classy. XT5 is a fantastic piece of engineering to look at, that incorporates both premium and sporty elements. Finally, the new 20” 12-spoke alloys add to its aesthetic appeal. To sum it up, the 2020 XT5 is a gorgeous SUV with a curvaceous body and modern design.

Cadillac’s XT5 is the biggest SUV of all and the heaviest as well. On the flip side, Buick Envision and Volvo XC60 are slightly lighter than the XT5. Both come with the highest ground clearances and smaller bodies. Unlike the rest of the rivals, Infiniti QX60 is smaller and traded the interior space for better cargo capacity. Some other Standout exterior features in the 2020 Cadillac XT5 are:

• 20" 12-Spoke alloy wheels with Pearl Nickel finish
• Projector Beam Headlamps w/ automatic On-OFF
• Bright brushed aluminum accents
• Rear Spoiler
• Dual chrome-finish outlets

The Cadillac XT5 is based on GM’s C1XX platform. The chassis is composed of steel mainly and aluminum. The vehicle comes equipped with a retuned suspension that offers stability and a comfortable ride. Apart from that it also comes equipped with advanced driver assistance features. Moreover, it received ‘Good’ ratings from the IIHS in all the tests while the NHTSA rated it 5 out of 5 in crash tests and 4 stars in rollover tests.Standout safety features are:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Change Alert w/ Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Keep Assist w/ Lane Departure Warning
• Teen Driver
• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control

2020 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 Buick Envision

The Cadillac XT5 despite being expensive by almost $2500 more than Buick Envision offers better value. Both offer similar power, but the XT5 offers better efficiency. XT5 has a better-looking fascia, opulent cabin, better mileage w/ bigger fuel tank. Moreover, the diverse set of in-car comforts, features, and essential safety features secure its victory. Therefore, we recommend the XT5.

2020 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 INFINITI QX50

The Japanese counterpart of the XT5 gives it tough competition. The Infiniti QX50 looks futuristic and is among the best-looking SUVs in the segment. It opposes the Cadillac with better performance, similar braking potential, better fuel economy, and a larger trunk. Moreover, it wins because of the better set of standard features and more practicality.

2020 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 Volvo XC60

The Cadillac has a clear win in this rivalry. The Cadillac being cheaper by $3000 offers more practicality and performs similarly to Volvo’s XC60. Moreover, the XT5 offers better interior space, mileage, and superior cargo capacity. Additionally, it comes with a big list of standard and optional features. However, the Volvo slightly edges over the XT5 in most aspects.

The Cadillac XT5 stepped for the new model year with a long list of much-needed changes. The SUV now looks more pleasant and houses a better-looking cabin. The cabin comes loaded with a diverse list of features. There are a couple of engine options, the regular inline-4 offers power and efficiency, while the V6 is more inclined towards power. The infotainment system is one among the best in class and fits a premium audio system as standard. What impresses us further is the fuel economy, big fuel tank, and large cargo trunk which makes it a practical choice.