Test Drive: Cadillac’s hot new 2017 XT5 crossover

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 16, 2016

The XT5 crossover SUV is the newest vehicle in Cadillac’s line, and it’s also leading Cadillac’s surge in sales growth. Since the new SUV was brought to market just about 6 months ago, it’s become Cadillac’s best-selling model. Over 22,000 units of the XT5 have flown off dealer lots this year, helping Cadillac to post healthy sales figures all summer long. Now with winter closing in, a capable all-wheel-drive SUV looks even better than it did in July.

The XT5 replaced the older Cadillac SRX crossover, and it’s definitely an evolutionary process. If you liked the SRX, you’ll find more to like in the XT5. It starts with a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The XT5 is not overpowered, since the engine has to move 4,356 pounds of vehicle, but it’s certainly adequate for a luxury SUV.

The 8-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine in its power band, and helps the XT5 maintain its EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 MPG city and 26 MPG on the highway. The all-wheel-drive system on the test vehicle was seamless. I had the XT5 during the recent rainstorms and the Cadillac simply wasn’t affected at all.

Inside the XT5 you’ll get the luxury and quality you expect from a Cadillac. The seats are comfortable and both heated and ventilated. You’ll enjoy the leather and the visually clean design. There’s also plenty of room in the back seats and a large cargo area.

But the technology story is the real selling point of the XT5. Cadillac’s CUE information and media control system with Navigation is just the beginning. Cadillac has been leading the industry in ease of use for more than 10 years. You also get the OnStar system, with a year of special concierge service — you can punch the OnStar button and get turn-by-turn direction downloaded to the vehicle, or have reservations made for you at a hotel. There’s even an app for your phone that will alert you to special offers in your immediate vicinity.

You also get a nifty heads-up display, full 4G/LTE service with the ability to create a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a complete set of every safety and convenience feature in the industry. At the Platinum trim level, active safety on the XT5 includes front and rear automatic collision braking, front and rear parking assist, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rear vision camera, blind spot monitoring, following distance alert, and pedestrian detection.

The bottom line is that while the XT5 certainly not the least expensive crossover on the market, Cadillac offers a lot of value for the money. You should test drive the Cadillac XT5 if you’re looking for an SUV this Fall.

2017 Cadillac XT5 Platinum AWD

Base price: $63,495

Price as tested: $63,845

Type: Mid-size SUV

Engine: 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp, 271 lbs-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 18/26

Road noise: Below average

Curb weight: 4,356 pounds

Final assembly: Spring Hill, Tennessee