2021 Cadillac XT4

Cadillac charges extra for most paint colors, but the sharp blues, reds, and even oranges the company offers are worth the upcharge. The standard 18-inch wheels look good enough that we see little reason to shell out big bucks now for the optional 20-inchers (and big bucks down the road for pricier tires).

The XT4’s interior isn’t as daring, but it also works well with brighter and lighter interior hues. Its central touchscreen is smaller than that in high-buck rivals, but it’s perched in a sea of soft-touch material and rides a gentle wave across the handsome cabin.

How fast is the Cadillac XT4?

Underhood, look for a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at a strong 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the wheels through a 9-speed automatic. There’s a hint of lag off throttle, but overall the engine provides good power and is pleasantly muffled. 

Handling-wise, the XT4 has well-weighted steering and slick, if not particularly sporty, moves. The standard suspension setup straddles the line between comfort and performance, while the adaptive dampers that can be fitted to Sports take the edge off. Try both to see if the hefty upcharge for the Sport makes sense for you and your roads.

The XT4’s braking system discards the mechanical connection between driver’s foot and calipers, a move designed to reduce fuel consumption. That may be true, but brake feel is just so-so, which leads to a herky-jerky feel. 

We rate the XT4 at 6 out of 10; it has plenty of power and its transmission makes good use of its numerous cogs, but those brakes can frustrate. 

Rear-seat riders have plenty of leg room—nearly 40 inches—but three abreast may be a tight fit. 

The XT4’s cargo area offers almost 50 cubic feet of space with the second row folded flat, but just 22.5 cubes with it upright. That’s useful, but not as spacious as some of its competitors. 

Interior materials match competitors, but generally at a lower price, and assembly on versions we’ve tested has been top-notch.

We’re still waiting on the IIHS to give the 2021 XT4 a go, but the NHTSA rated the XT4 at five stars overall, albeit just four stars for front-seat passengers in the frontal crash test. 

The XT4 comes standard with automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitors, active lane control, and automatic high-beam headlights are reasonably priced options, while adaptive cruise control is a bit pricey but worth seeking out if you spend a fair amount of time on the highway. You’ll want the add-on features, as outward vision is limited by that thick rear pillar.

Three trim levels are on offer, starting with the Luxury at a little under $37,000 (plus $2,500 for all-wheel drive). It comes with automatic emergency braking and a crisp 8.0-inch touchscreen, though we’d spend up for extra-cost paint, leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, and the Driver Awareness Package that adds active lane control and automatic high-beam headlights. Toss in Bose speakers if you want and at around $41,000 with front-wheel drive, the XT4 is a sufficiently luxurious crossover.

That’s about where the Premium Luxury trim starts, and it’s the one to shop if you want massaging lumbar, cooled seats, and a few other niceties. It’s also the gateway to adaptive cruise control, which is bundled with a number of other options. Still, it’s possible to be gentle with options and find one for around $45,000.

The XT4 Sport is mostly about style, though the $700 for its adaptive dampers is worthwhile.

How much is a fully loaded 2021 Cadillac XT4?

Cadillac will sell you an XT4 for around $55,000 with every option selected, but it’s easy enough to skip a lot of that bloat and still have a nicely-equipped crossover. 

The XT4 comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and throws in the first service visit for free. We give luxury vehicles a point for warranty coverage when three visits or years of service are included—so Cadillac’s on its way to a higher score here.

Most competitors top 30 mpg on the highway with all-wheel drive, and the BMW X1 squeezes out 33 mpg highway.