2017 Cadillac XT5: Cornerstone of the New Series of Luxury Crossovers
The all-new Cadillac XT5, short for “Crossover Touring vehicle that seats 5,” upgrades Cadillac’s line-up and serves as the cornerstone of a new series of crossovers in the brand’s ongoing expansion. Cadillac crossovers will wear the “XT” designation, a key aspect of the brand’s product-driven global growth plan.
A mid-size luxury crossover, XT5 replaced the Cadillac SRX crossover, and manufactured at GM's Spring Hill, TN Manufacturing Plant for U.S. sales and in Shanghai by SAIC-GM for the Chinese market, XT5 is currently Cadillac's best selling model in the United States and globally. Replacing the SRX, XT5 has a wheelbase that is about 2 inches longer, with greater interior space and upgraded quality of materials, and the latest in infotainment and high-tech comforts and functionality. New tech includes rear camera mirror, Apple Carplay and Android auto compatibility, as well as the new CUE®3 information system.
The Cadillac XT5 resides on a unique chassis and structure and it embodies the company’s mission for lightweight and agile driving dynamics. The new XT5 is 278 pounds lighter than the SRX, with no compromise to body rigidity and crash performance. At 180.5 inches long, 66.0 inches high and 75.0 inches wide, XT5 pushes the wheels farther out than the SRX, but still offers a front overhang of 38.8 inches and rear overhang of 38.2 inches, on its 112.5-inch wheelbase, with ground clearance of 7.8 inches. Base curbweight is 3985, and the Luxury trim I tested weighed in at 4257 pounds.
The new 2017 Cadillac XT5 combines bold and sporty architecture with a large interior designed to provide an indulgent in-vehicle experience and excellent sightlines. And with lightweight construction and a 310-hp V-6 engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, XT5 delivers unexpected handling and solid acceleration.
The cabin offers seating capacity of two in front and three in the rear, with 39.78 inches off front headroom and 58.4 inches in row two; 41.2 inches of front legroom and 39.5 inches in the backseats; and shoulder room of 58.3 and 56.2. Those measurements show that rear-seat legroom has increased 3.2 inches over the SRX, and the rear seat reclines and slides fore and aft, as well.
In the U.S. market, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 is powered by the new 3.6-liter V-6 engine which debuted earlier this year on the brand’s ATS and CTS sport sedans and is featured on the CT6. In China, the XT5 is offered with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The 3.6 features Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology, which allows the engine to seamlessly and automatically switch to a fuel-saving 4-cylinder mode under low or moderate loads. With SAE-certified peak output of 310-horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, the new V-6 uses variable valve timing for strong response and smooth power delivery, and it is EPA rated at 18mpg in city driving and 26mpg on the highway for the AWD configuration. My mixed-use tested achieved an average of 22.0mpg.
From a performance perspective, the ride was quiet, compliant, stable and smooth, and the independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with twin-tube struts and independent premium five-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers gave niche-acceptable road feel while pampering passengers. The variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering with rack-mounted electric motor assist with belt drive was attentive, though more trucklike than carlike in its response.
On the track, I experienced only minor top-wobble in quick turn execution and my Cadillac XT5 Premium performed to a 7.1-second zero-to-60mph sprint and a spirited 15.6-second quarter-mile.
The Cadillac XT5 is available in five trims, starting with the base model at $40,390; the Luxury trim at $46,290, which adds a sunroof, leather seating and more; the Premium Luxury model at $53,290 adds a Bose® 14-speaker Studio Surround Sound System, Cadillac CUE®3 Information and Media Control System with Embedded Navigation; and a Driver Awareness Package with Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Detection, Front Automatic Braking and more; and the Platinum trim at $63,890, adds All-Wheel Drive with twin-clutch system with driver mode select, Reconfigurable 8-inch color Gauge Cluster, semi-aniline full leather seats, leather-wrapped instrument panel door trim and armrest, micro suede headliner, Head-Up Display and more.
My Premium Luxury XT5 added AWD for $8400; Red Passion Tintcoat exterior paint matched to a Jet Black, Leather Seating Surfaces with Mini-Perforated inserts for $1195; the Driver Assistance Package was added for $2340 and included Adaptive cruise control, Automatic Safety Belt Tightening, Automatic Park Assist, Automatic Collision Braking and Front and Rear Automatic Braking. The Advanced Security Package added $435 for locking steering column, door lock and latch shields, Self-powered Theft-Deterrent Alarm System, Inclination sensor, Vehicle interior movement sensor and Locking wheel lug. Black roof rack rails added $295; Assist steps were $750; black molded splash guards were $170; Black Ice bodyside moldings were $355; Black Ice grille with Galvano bars were $605; a rear seat DVD entertainment system was $1995; Tri-Zone Climate Control and heated rear seats was $625; a Cabin filter was $60; floor mats added $155; one year of OnStar Guidance added $349 and destination charges of $995 pout my test 2017 Cadillac XT5 at $64,260.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
A mid-size luxury crossover, XT5 replaced the Cadillac SRX crossover, and manufactured at GM's Spring Hill, TN Manufacturing Plant for U.S. sales and in Shanghai by SAIC-GM for the Chinese market, XT5 is currently Cadillac's best selling model in the United States and globally. Replacing the SRX, XT5 has a wheelbase that is about 2 inches longer, with greater interior space and upgraded quality of materials, and the latest in infotainment and high-tech comforts and functionality. New tech includes rear camera mirror, Apple Carplay and Android auto compatibility, as well as the new CUE®3 information system.
The Cadillac XT5 resides on a unique chassis and structure and it embodies the company’s mission for lightweight and agile driving dynamics. The new XT5 is 278 pounds lighter than the SRX, with no compromise to body rigidity and crash performance. At 180.5 inches long, 66.0 inches high and 75.0 inches wide, XT5 pushes the wheels farther out than the SRX, but still offers a front overhang of 38.8 inches and rear overhang of 38.2 inches, on its 112.5-inch wheelbase, with ground clearance of 7.8 inches. Base curbweight is 3985, and the Luxury trim I tested weighed in at 4257 pounds.
The new 2017 Cadillac XT5 combines bold and sporty architecture with a large interior designed to provide an indulgent in-vehicle experience and excellent sightlines. And with lightweight construction and a 310-hp V-6 engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, XT5 delivers unexpected handling and solid acceleration.
The cabin offers seating capacity of two in front and three in the rear, with 39.78 inches off front headroom and 58.4 inches in row two; 41.2 inches of front legroom and 39.5 inches in the backseats; and shoulder room of 58.3 and 56.2. Those measurements show that rear-seat legroom has increased 3.2 inches over the SRX, and the rear seat reclines and slides fore and aft, as well.
In the U.S. market, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 is powered by the new 3.6-liter V-6 engine which debuted earlier this year on the brand’s ATS and CTS sport sedans and is featured on the CT6. In China, the XT5 is offered with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The 3.6 features Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology, which allows the engine to seamlessly and automatically switch to a fuel-saving 4-cylinder mode under low or moderate loads. With SAE-certified peak output of 310-horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, the new V-6 uses variable valve timing for strong response and smooth power delivery, and it is EPA rated at 18mpg in city driving and 26mpg on the highway for the AWD configuration. My mixed-use tested achieved an average of 22.0mpg.
From a performance perspective, the ride was quiet, compliant, stable and smooth, and the independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with twin-tube struts and independent premium five-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers gave niche-acceptable road feel while pampering passengers. The variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering with rack-mounted electric motor assist with belt drive was attentive, though more trucklike than carlike in its response.
On the track, I experienced only minor top-wobble in quick turn execution and my Cadillac XT5 Premium performed to a 7.1-second zero-to-60mph sprint and a spirited 15.6-second quarter-mile.
The Cadillac XT5 is available in five trims, starting with the base model at $40,390; the Luxury trim at $46,290, which adds a sunroof, leather seating and more; the Premium Luxury model at $53,290 adds a Bose® 14-speaker Studio Surround Sound System, Cadillac CUE®3 Information and Media Control System with Embedded Navigation; and a Driver Awareness Package with Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Detection, Front Automatic Braking and more; and the Platinum trim at $63,890, adds All-Wheel Drive with twin-clutch system with driver mode select, Reconfigurable 8-inch color Gauge Cluster, semi-aniline full leather seats, leather-wrapped instrument panel door trim and armrest, micro suede headliner, Head-Up Display and more.
My Premium Luxury XT5 added AWD for $8400; Red Passion Tintcoat exterior paint matched to a Jet Black, Leather Seating Surfaces with Mini-Perforated inserts for $1195; the Driver Assistance Package was added for $2340 and included Adaptive cruise control, Automatic Safety Belt Tightening, Automatic Park Assist, Automatic Collision Braking and Front and Rear Automatic Braking. The Advanced Security Package added $435 for locking steering column, door lock and latch shields, Self-powered Theft-Deterrent Alarm System, Inclination sensor, Vehicle interior movement sensor and Locking wheel lug. Black roof rack rails added $295; Assist steps were $750; black molded splash guards were $170; Black Ice bodyside moldings were $355; Black Ice grille with Galvano bars were $605; a rear seat DVD entertainment system was $1995; Tri-Zone Climate Control and heated rear seats was $625; a Cabin filter was $60; floor mats added $155; one year of OnStar Guidance added $349 and destination charges of $995 pout my test 2017 Cadillac XT5 at $64,260.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
Book with a preferred Hotel
Book online or call (800) 216-1876
Leave a commentOrder by
Newest on top Oldest on top