The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Clean styling
- Good ride quality
- Impressive screen
- Decent value in base trim
Dislikes
- Top versions cost too much, though
- Don’t forget to engage AWD!
- Bland interior, even with that screen
- So-so fuel economy
Buying tip
features & specs
It may not break much ground, but the 2025 Cadillac XT4 is a solid choice for a small luxury SUV.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Cadillac XT4? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 is a subcompact luxury SUV that compares well with the Audi Q3, Lexus UX, and BMW X1.
Is the 2025 Cadillac XT4 a good SUV?
It’s not the most exciting choice, but the XT4 is priced relatively well, has good tech, and wears inoffensive styling. It’s a 6.2 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Cadillac XT4?
The XT4 sees no major changes for 2024 after styling updates and a 33-inch display entered the picture last year.
The XT4 wears handsome looks outside over an uninispired cabin, even though its big display is nicely integrated. Numerous traditional Cadillac cues make an appearance outside, include big, complex headlights with vertical running lamps and a pair of L-shape taillights at the rear.
The 2.0-liter turbo-4 zips 235 hp to the front or, optionally, all four wheels via a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission. The XT4 is a bit hefty, though, at upward of 3,700 pounds, so it’s not as quick as that healthy-for-the-segment power output might suggest. Its ride is comfortable and composed, so long as you aren’t tempted by the big 20-inch alloy wheels available on some versions.
The top Sport trim add adaptive dampers, but it hardly lives up to its name. Just-average handling and steering feel ensure the XT4 is biased more toward comfort than performance. Fuel economy is just OK, too, with most versions checking in at 26 or 27 mpg combined. There’s no hybrid option here.
The all-wheel-drive system has a front-wheel-drive mode ostensibly to save fuel, but you’d better remember to re-engage all four wheels when the snow (or rain) flies.
The cabin has reasonably comfortable front seats and a rear bench with decent legroom and enough width for two—but not three. The cargo area is good for the segment.
Crash tests performed so far indicate that the XT4 is a safe choice, though the IIHS has yet to perform its full barrage of tests. All models come with the basics, while adaptive cruise control is available. Cadillac’s Super Cruise system does not make an appearance here.
How much does the 2025 Cadillac XT4 cost?
The XT4 range starts under $40,000, though all-wheel drive incurs a somewhat costly $2,500-or-so upcharge. The XT4 makes the most sense toward the bottom of its lineup since its big touchscreen with Google built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto comes standard. Synthetic leather and power-adjustable front seats are also included, while real leather and heated seats aren’t too much more.
Where is the 2025 Cadillac XT4 made?
In Kansas City, Kansas.
2025 Cadillac XT4 Styling
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 has pleasant, but unremarkable, styling.
Is the Cadillac XT4 a good-looking car?
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 is stylish outside but a bit boring inside.
Cadillac’s signature styling cues are all present on the XT4. It’s not an excitement machine, but it has a balanced, distinctive look outside that unfortunately isn’t echoed inside. It’s a 6 on the TCC scale.
The XT4 has big headlights that slip upward into the the tops of the front fenders. Tall running lamps and a trio of LED rectangles on each side add up to an interesting lighting signature. From the side, the XT4 is conventional, but its high-mounted, L-shape taillights add plenty of flair from the rear. It’s a fun style that stands out just enough.
If only the cabin was as interesting. It even seems to bury its signature design piece: that 33-inch display, which doesn’t look as outrageous as its size would otherwise suggest. It’s bland and uninspired, if well screwed-together. If anything, it would make a nice Chevy or Buick interior—but not a Cadillac one, even with the available leather upholstery that brightens the mood slightly.
2025 Cadillac XT4 Performance
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 isn’t sporty, but that’s not the point here.
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 is a smooth, comfortable operator. Those looking for a sporty drive should keep shopping, but those interested in a luxurious feel will find a lot to like here. We rate the XT4 at 6 out of 10 due to its good acceleration.
Is the Cadillac XT4 4WD?
Cadillac offers a selectable all-wheel-drive system. It defaults to a front-wheel-drive mode until all-wheel drive is manually selected, supposedly to save fuel. It’s not that convenient, though, since you’ll need to remember to engage all-wheel-drive when the road turns slippery.
How fast is the Cadillac XT4?
It’s fairly peppy thanks to the 235-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4, which pairs nicely with the standard 9-speed automatic transmission.
The XT4 has a comfy ride on the standard 18-inch alloy wheels, which have fairly large sidewalls that help absorb bumps. The available 20-inchers ride too stiffly for us, unless you select the costly Sport trim that has adaptive dampers. But the XT4 never truly feels sporty. It leans in corners and its steering offers limited feedback from the road. Brakes with an artificial feel further dampen any performance notions.
2025 Cadillac XT4 Comfort & Quality
The XT4 has a tight, if well-wrought, cabin.
Though it’s not particularly roomy inside, the 2025 Cadillac XT4 has comfortable front seats and sedan-besting cargo space that help it earn a 7 on the TCC scale.
The XT4’s front seats are comfortable enough and they include standard power adjustment, with optional heating, cooling, and massaging. Rear-seat riders have decent legroom and acceptable foot space, plus wide door openings. The rear bench isn’t wide enough for three people, though.
Cabin materials are good for the price inside, and real leather is a reasonably priced upgrade over synthetic hides.
The cargo area offers as much as 50 cubic feet of storage space when the second-row seatbacks are folded down.
2025 Cadillac XT4 Safety
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 has a good crash-test record.
How safe is the Cadillac XT4?
The smallest Cadillac SUV has done well in crash tests and it boasts good driver-assistance features. We rate it a 7 on the TCC scale thanks to its five-star score from the NHTSA and its standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors. It could improve in IIHS testing whenever it is fully evaluated. For now, it lacks enough IIHS testing to earn that additional point.
The XT4 can be had with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system, though Cadillac’s terrific Super Cruise system isn’t offered.
2025 Cadillac XT4 Features
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 offers good value so long as you don’t dive too deep into its options list.
The XT4 can be a decent buy if you’re careful with options. We score it a 7 out of 10 thanks to its big screen and its reasonable overall feature count. Adding lots of options hikes its price to where competitors offer more appealing models, though.
The base XT4 costs less than $40,000, which buys a huge 33.0-inch LED screen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power-adjustable front seats, and synthetic leather upholstery. Cadillac charges about $2,500 for all-wheel drive.
The 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is typical for a luxury model, though Cadillac does toss in the first service visit.
Which Cadillac XT4 should I buy?
The XT4 is fine in base Luxury trim, to which we’d spend more for real leather seats, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and metallic paint. With all-wheel drive, the price tag would be around $45,000. Overall, that’s not a bad value.
It’s more tempting than the step-up Premium Luxury, which runs $45,000 before you’ve added real leather.
How much is a fully loaded Cadillac XT4?
An XT4 Sport with available massaging and cooled front seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, and adaptive cruise control can top $55,000.
2025 Cadillac XT4 Fuel Economy
Is the Cadillac XT4 good on gas?
Is the Cadillac XT4 good on gas?
It’s not bad, but some rivals are better. We expect the 2025 XT4 will stay close to last year’s 24 mpg city, 29 highway, 26 combined estimates, which slide to 23/28/25 mpg with all-wheel drive.
There’s no XT4 hybrid to elevate this lineup’s score higher than a so-so 3 out of 10 on the TCC scale.
