2017 Cadillac XT5
The year 2017 will mark the initial year of this model, a two-row luxury crossover sports utility vehicle which replaces the Caddy SRX. While the car's styling is a reminder of the prior model, the new car is upon a new platform, permitting Cadillac to begin with a clean slate as compared with the SRX. XT5 is a lot more powerful - because of the newer engine and the sports utility vehicle's loss of weight -- and its cabin is roomier, quieter, and posher, with new luxe and high-tech features. It does not feel fast, as the transmission is usually biased towards fuel efficiency, yet that will greatly pay off in improved fuel economy. It's ready to compete with the BMW X3, Audi Q5, as well as the Lexus RX.
Users Will Like This Vehicle If...
In the small luxury crossover sports utility vehicle segment, the XT5 is a standout, with angular, crisp styling, as well as a suite of features that aren't provided on other sports utility vehicles in its class. Also, it provides a large cabin, with more legroom in the rear seat than the Lexus RX.
Users Might Not Like This Vehicle If...
Caddy's new crossover sports utility vehicle does not provide three-row seating. For that, consider the Cadillac Escalade, Acura MDX, or Audi Q7. In addition, there aren't any optional engines - which means no high performance variants, diesels or hybrids. The Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLC are all tempting alternatives.
What is New for 2017?
The Cadillac XT5, from the floor up, is new for 2017. New transmission and engine, new exterior and interior design, new inside features inside, as well as a quieter, roomier cabin differentiate the XT5 from its SRX predecessor.
Driving Impressions
The tester's time spent behind the XT5's wheel was split amongst jaunts on gently curving, long roads, time in traffic and a few stretches through winding canyons. The blend of increased rigidity and weight loss made it more of a thrill to drive, feeling well-planted and confident in turns and twists. The auto start/stop feature is not bad, yet it'd be great to have the choice to shut it off. Its electric power-steering offers good feedback. The XT5 is not a sports car, yet you certainly can have a good time in it. It is powered by an all-new 310-horsepower, 3.6L V6 that has an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission which feels as if it was programmed for fuel-economy, and not performance. It took hard throttle mashing in order to get its transmission to downshift. By no means is the XT5 slow, and it absolutely has an abundant amount of power, yet its acceleration is not fast.
Rear Camera Mirror
With just a push of a button, the whole rearview mirror frame is filled up with what essentially is a live broadcast of what's going on behind the Cadillac XT5. It'll give you a high-resolution, constant traffic view without headrests or roofline getting within the way.
Sports Mode
For a combination which allows you to make the most of your time driving a winding road, place the XT5 within Sports mode. It'll delay transmission shifts, change the steering effort, bias torque to the rear, and modify its suspension calibration.
XT5 Interior
The Cadillac's XT5's cabin is noticeably more elegant and quieter than that of the SRX it'll replace. The quality of its materials - which includes carbon fiber, real open-pore wood and aluminum -- and its fit and finish are outstanding. This, in addition to its sliding, roomy 2nd row and tasteful schemes of color make sure the interior holds its own against competitors. It also is amazingly quiet inside. Setting the vehicle apart include the Apple CarPlay availability, an improved edition of Cue, color head-up display, as well as the incredible have-to-try-it-to-appreciate-it Rear Camera Mirror.
XT5 Exterior
It'll reflect the continuous evolution of Cadillac's Art & Science designing philosophy. In spite of a solid family resemblance to the SRX, it'll weigh almost 300 lbs. less, is upon a new platform and is stronger, tauter, and tighter. This tautness was a theme within the XT5's outer design, in which body lines are more crisp and its nose utilizes a new jewel headlight design.
Test drive this luxury crossover today at the Faulkner Cadillac dealership in Trevose, PA. We know you'll love the 2017 Cadillac XT5.
