Cadillac XT4: 2019 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Contender

WE LIKE Finally a Cadillac entry-level CUV, cool taillights

WE DON’T LIKE Forgettable dynamics, subpar interior

The XT4 crossover fills the empty entry-luxury spot in Cadillac’s lineup, but we struggled to find enough Cadillac or luxury here.

It’s not entirely clear in what segment the luxury CUV competes, as the XT4 is pricier and longer than the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA yet shorter, less expensive, and less powerful than the Infiniti QX50 and BMW X3.

“The XT4 is yet another tweener Cadillac that attempts to chart its own course in a high-volume premium vehicle segment and ends up lost in the weeds,” Angus MacKenzie said.

No matter what you compare the XT4 to, our judges revealed a few issues. The unrefined nine-speed transmission sometimes lazes along in a higher gear instead of making the most of the coarse, grainy 237-hp turbo-four.

The XT4 failed to distinguish itself on the road, too, with Kim Reynolds describing its track behavior as “quite ordinary.” The XT4 doesn’t try to be sporty, but it doesn’t succeed in being plush, either. It rides an anonymous middle line.

“It seemed to steer, brake, accelerate, and corner in a fairly average manner,” Frank Markus said. “Nothing stood out as exceptional.”

The XT4’s interior also failed to impress. Small windows reduce outward visibility, and the center high-mounted stop lamp reduces the already compromised view out the back. To compete with the German brands, Cadillac also must master the details and replace the XT4’s cheap-feeling leather, GM parts bin buttons and switches, and mismatched fonts. Unfortunately, Christian Seabaugh noted, “It feels rough around the edges and unrefined.”

We’d like to see higher-quality effort from a luxury crossover whose driving experience doesn’t match its as-tested price tag.

READ ABOUT 2019 SUV OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:

• BMW X2
• BMW X3
• Ford EcoSport
• Ford Edge
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Infiniti QX50
• Jaguar E-Pace
• Jeep Cherokee
• Lexus RX L
• Mercedes-Benz G-Class
• Subaru Ascent

2019 Cadillac XT4 2.0T AWD
Base Price/As tested	$37,295/$56,835
Power (SAE net)	237 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net)	258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph	7.5 sec
Quarter-mile	15.8 sec @ 89.4 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph	126 ft
Lateral Acceleration	0.81 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight	27.6 sec @ 0.61 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb	22/29/24 mpg
Vehicle Layout	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine/Transmission	2.0L turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 /9-speed automatic
Curb Weight (F/R Dist)	3,971 lb (58/42%)
Wheelbase	109.4 in
Length x Width x Height	181.1 x 74.1 x 63.2 in
Energy Cons, City/Hwy	153/116 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 Emissions, Comb	0.79 lb/mile

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