Test Drive: 2018 Cadillac XT5 AWD Platinum

There’s no denying that the 2018 Cadillac XT5 makes an impression.

It has a stylish exterior, a comfortable cabin with quality materials and good power from its V6 engine.

And clearly it’s a vehicle that consumers are taking to, with over 6,000 sold in Canada alone through Nov. 2017.

One has to wonder, however, how many of those are the high-end Platinum trim, that will run you more than $70,000. The base XT5 starts at about $45,000.

Whichever trim you chose, the XT5 is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The engine delivers 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, which give the XT5 plenty of jump.

The estimated fuel consumption rate is a combined 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres, while my average worked out to 13.1 L/100 km.

And although the XT5 is an all-wheel drive vehicle, I find it hard to believe anyone will be taking this off pavement. Like most if not all of its competitors, the XT5 will remain firmly on the beaten path.

And if that path leads you to packed parking lots, at least the XT5’s front-end design will make it easy to spot – and we all know we are supposed to park nose out, right?

The large grille garners most of the attention, but so do the two vertical bars of LED lights that extend downward from the headlights.

It was also hard to miss the shiny 20-inch 12-spoke polished wheels on our tester.

A neat feature at night is the illuminated door handles that light up when you unlock the XT5.

Despite being one of the largest luxury crossovers in the segment, it doesn’t look or feel overly cumbersome thanks to a short front end.

The passenger cabin is awash with luxurious materials and natural light thanks to the panoramic moonroof.

There’s a mix of different materials in the two-tone cabin of our tester: Leather, natural wood and suede, along with aluminum and carbon fibre accents.

If it sounds like there’s a lot going on, there is. But I quite liked the overall look and feel inside the cabin.

And if you like buttons, you will have a field day in the XT5, including a whole host of them on the steering wheel that at least makes reaching for the centre stack controls redundant.
A nice feature on the XT5 is the fact that the rear seat has a reclining seatback, and the seat also slides back and forth.

The downside for taller rear passengers is a limited amount of headroom. But at least when those taller passengers are blocking your view, you can rely on the rear-view camera mirror, which is new for 2018. You can switch to a digital display instead of the traditional mirror. It uses a camera to show the driver what is going on behind the vehicle.

Also upgraded for 2018 is the XT5’s infotainment system, with the CUE setup receiving an update.

It also now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and USB ports up front and in the back.

As with many GM products, it also offers a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 8-inch screen is large and clear, while the CUE’s controls are, for the most part, easy enough to use once you get used to them.

The XT5 Platinum offers up a 14-speaker Bose audio system that is sure to please audiophiles.

And you won’t need to blast the music to overcompensate for the noises coming from outside.

As you would expect with a luxury vehicle, wind and road noise is kept to a minimum.

The engine offers plenty of power for the XT5, so getting moving is not an issue, although the transmission sometimes feels like it struggles to keep up.

However, the ride is a smooth one, even over rough roads.

There are some blind spots on the XT5, notably thanks to the rear roof pillars, and rearward visibility is also a bit restricted. Of course, with the 360-degree camera on the Platinum, everything you need is right on the screen in front of you.

And our tester had a suite of driving aids added through the optional driver assist package ($2,595). It includes adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, automatic braking, and automatic safety belt tightening.

Overall, I found the XT5 to be a good package with a few hiccups along the way. However, the price tag of the Platinum trip is a bit over the top.

2018 Cadillac XT5 AWD Platinum
Price as tested: $73,805.00
Freight: $2,000.00
Configuration: Front engine/All-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 3.6-litre V6/ Eight-speed automatic
Power/torque: 310 horsepower/ 271 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Regular (82 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 11.1 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 13.1 L/100 km
Warranties: 4-years/80,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Audi Q5, Lexus RX 350, BMW X3, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Related links:
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