“2020 Cadillac XT5 Sport AWD”
A Sporty Midsize Luxury SUV
OVERVIEW
The Cadillac Division of General Motors first entered the luxury crossover playing field with the 2017 Cadillac XT5. It was the first of four new planned crossovers to emerge from the luxury marque. It was developed from the inside out and focused on providing consumers with customers more space, more technology, more luxury and more efficiency.
The XT5 replaced the outgoing SRX, and is based on a unique all-new global chassis and structure. The XT5 tips the scales at 292 pounds less than the SRX despite the fact that it is seven inches longer. As a result, rear seat legroom is 3.2-inches more than in the SRX, and the rear seat reclines in addition to moving forward and backward.
The new architecture delivered a wheelbase two inches longer than the SRX, and a track that’s one-inch wider, affording extra useable interior space. The XT5’s overall length, width and height however, are slightly smaller than the SRX, giving it a firmly planted stance, and a lean and sleekly aerodynamic appeal.
POWER SOURCES
The new base engine is a 2.0-liter, 237 horsepower turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine remains as an option with VVT and auto stop/start and Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technologies. V-6 horsepower is rated at 310 and torque measures 271 ft./lbs.
ELEGANT DESIGN EXECUTION
The Cadillac XT5 as been refreshed for 2020 with modest styling changes, the front grille gets a new design with varying mesh textures dependent upon the trim level. Front and rear bumpers have been restyled, LED headlights now come standard, LED taillights have different graphics, and there are new wheel designs ranging from 18 to 20 inches.
There are now three distinct levels of trim, matching the XT4’s lineup. Pricing starts at $45,090 for the luxury trim level, which is $2,400 higher than last year’s model. The Premium Luxury trim starts at $49,790., and the Sport trim begins at $56,090.
The styling execution displays fluid, liquid forms accented by dramatic cut and character lines. The rich image begins up front with the shield-shaped grille flanked by the Vertical LED light pipes. The hood features a subtle center line and outer edge accent lines that flow into the slimmer “A” pillar outlining the sharply sweptback windshield that joins the rising curved roofline that finishes with an integrated spoiler resting above the reverse angled backlight and hiding the rear wiper. The “B” and “C” pillars are blacked out and surrounded by bright a trim whose rear slope draws attention to the reverse angle “D” pillar or sail panel. In profile, there are two character lines – an upper shoulder and one lower line above the rocker, with a bright horizontal accent bar that emphasize the vehicle’s rising overall “flying wedge” image.
The aft end exhibits a wide stance with broad shoulders and split, rectangular exhaust tips that are integrated into the rear diffuser. A lower composite trim surrounds the entire vehicle providing protection from road debris.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
The interior is a showcase of genuine materials – wood, aluminum, carbon fiber and double stitched leather. The center console has been redesigned and the XT5 gets Cadillac’s new infotainment system that’s operated by a rotary controller on the center console; the 8-inch display is a touchscreen. Other updates include heated front seats as standard, a new optional Bose Performance Series sound system, available night vision, and improved digital gauge cluster and backup-camera displays.
The seats are supportive, optimally adjustable and comfortable. Optional fare includes: the Quality Package, Cadillac User Experience with Embedded Navigation with Bose 14 Speaker Performance Audio System, Compact Spare Tire and Red Horizon metallic Tintcoat.
Connectivity is courtesy of Cadillac’s updated CUE system with a faster processor and revised graphics similar to the new Cadillac CT6, as well as CarPlay and Android Auto. A new Rear Camera Mirror is available with the Platinum trim, which provides a 300 percent increase in rearward vision along with an all-new auto wash feature.
XT5 provides 4G wireless connectivity, with a standard integrated Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard fare for simpler in-car phone integration.
The rear liftgate of the XT5 includes hands-free operation, allowing it to open or close via a gesture control beneath the rear bumper.
Safety enhancement packages available on non-Premium Luxury and Platinum models include: Driver Awareness with Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Front Pedestrian Detection, Intellibeam automatic high-beams, and front automatic braking; Driver Assistance Package with: Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto Front Braking (low speed) with pedestrian protection, Auto Rear Braking (low-speed), Automatic Collision Braking and safety belt tightening and Advanced Park Assist.
AS TESTED
My 2020 Cadillac XT5 was in Sport trim and the AWD configuration, Power was provided by the 3.6-liter V-6. The exterior wore a Red Horizon metallic tintcoat, wile the interior was executed in Jet Black. The base price was set at $55,095., while the final sticker came to $65,815. After factoring in options and the destination charge.
PERFORMANCE
The 2020 Cadillac XT5 features impressive content, improved NVH, pleasing acceleration and satisfying agility, while delivering acceptable fuel efficiency along with practical usable interior space.
Ride and handling qualities and characteristics benefit through the optimization of the body structure, with increased stiffness for a more pleasing and dramatic performance as well as improved crashworthiness, while delivering a lower overall mass.
The 3.6-liter V6 comes with Active Fuel Management and Auto Stop/Start (which unfortunately cannot be deactivated) combining to yield EPA Mileage Estimates of 19-mpg city and 27-mpg highway in FWD models and / 18/26 respectively in AWD examples. All this while moving the XT5 from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds – FWD and 7.1 seconds-AWD. The 310 horses along with the 271 pound feet of torque supply enough oomph to tow a substantial load.
OUR FINAL TAKE
All in all, the 2020 Cadillac XT5 sport AWD is a superb and luxurious SUV as well as in all of its other trim levels, with the Platinum Edition representing the Cream of the Crop in the lineup with added features and plushness.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2020 Cadillac XT5 Sport AWD
Base Price: $55,095.
Price as Tested: $65,815.
Engine Type and Size: 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve Direct Injection V6 with VVT and auto stop/start and Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technologies.
Horsepower (bhp): 310 @ 6,700 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 271 @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed paddle shift automatic with Electronic Precision Shift.
Drive Train: Front longitudinally mounted engine / Front-Wheel Drive or Twin-Clutch AWD system with Electronic Transmission Range Selection.
Suspension: Front – MacPherson strut, twin-tube struts; specifically tuned coil springs; direct-acting hollow stabilizer bar; isolated subframe; hydraulic ride bushings; available continuous damping control (CDC4 by ZF; offerings equipped with 20-in. wheels).
Rear –Independent premium Five-link design, twin-tube shock absorbers; tri-ball joint configuration; specifically tuned coil springs/isolators; hollow stabilizer bar; available rear cradle hydraulic bushings; available CDC4 by ZF (all offerings equipped with 20-in. wheels)
Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel vented discs; front: dual-piston cast iron calipers with ceramic brake linings; rear: single-piston cast iron calipers with ceramic brake linings; four-channel ESC/ABS/TCS w/four-channel chassis control.
Tires: Michelin Premier LTX 235/65 R18 mounted on 15-spoke alloy wheels (5-long double/5 short middle)
Wheelbase: 112.5 inches
Length Overall: 189.5 inches
Width: 75.0 inches
Height: 66.0 inches
Curb Weight: 3,995 lbs. – FWD / 4,277 lbs. 4,267 lbs Luxury AWD
Turning Circle: 38.7 ft.
Fuel Capacity: 19 gallons – FWD / 22 gallons AWD
EPA Mileage Estimates: 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway FWD / 18/26 AWD
Drag Coefficient: 0.380
0 – 60 mph: 6.9 seconds – FWD / 7.1 seconds AWD
Tow Capacity: 3,500 lbs.
