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2020 Cadillac XT4

Starting at $36,690

8/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2020 cadillac xt4 driving
Cadillac
8/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Expressive design, ample cargo and passenger space, quiet and refined engine.
  • Lows Subpar cabin quality, ride should be smoother, not the best deal.
  • Verdict A subcompact crossover that lacks the luxury characteristics that define most of its classmates.
By Drew Dorian

Overview

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 is a visually distinctive subcompact luxury crossover, but it's also less luxurious and refined than most rivals. Still, it has a smooth-running engine and delivers a fun driving experience. The XT4's interior has plenty of passenger space and room to store cargo, but the interior has unremarkable materials and inferior build quality versus classmates. Thankfully, the smallest Cadillac SUV has an infotainment system that's stocked with content and a host of standard safety and driver assists. While its flashy façade and engaging dynamics are appreciated, the 2020 XT4 should be more sophisticated for the price.

What's New for 2020?

Cadillac makes several small changes to the 2020 XT4, which mainly include new standard and optional features as well as small design tweaks. All models now have automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian detection, and a safety seat alert. The entire lineup receives a revised shifter, enhanced infotainment rotary controller, and new metallic paint colors (Silver Dust and Garnet). Likewise, the top two trims add a standard hands-free liftgate and rear pedestrian detection. The Sport model's available Active Sport suspension can now be paired with 18-inch wheels (previously 20s only), and all-wheel-drive models get an off-road drive mode.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Luxury
$36,690
Premium Luxury
$40,790
Sport
$40,790

The Cadillac XT4 base price is $36,690, and all-wheel drive adds $2500 to every model for those who want it. The Premium Luxury and Sport models both cost the same, but since the former doesn't live up to its name, and the latter is even better to drive, we'd recommend the XT4 Sport. It has unique wheel designs, blacked-out exterior trim, and exclusive interior accents. The Sport model also has an exclusive active suspension with adaptive dampers and better-bolstered front seats. To that we'd add the $2350 Comfort and Convenience package (leather interior, ventilated and massaging front seats, etc.) and choose the $1200 Active Sport suspension (adaptive dampers) to avoid the ride-quality-reducing 20-inch wheels that are required with the Sport Dynamics package.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Under the hood of all XT4s is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 237 horsepower. It pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. The 2019 XT4 Sport we tested sashayed its way to 60 mph in a lackluster 7.8 seconds—1.5 seconds behind the 10Best-award-winning BMW X1. Despite the difference, the XT4 felt spry around town and when merging onto the highway. Ignore Cadillac's assertion of sportiness with the XT4. It's more of a boulevard cruiser than a sports car. The ride is okay, so long as the road is relatively smooth. Rough stretches of asphalt translate plenty of vibrations and sharp impacts into the cabin, especially when riding on the optional 20-inch wheels. The steering is similarly disappointing and is neither feelsome nor direct in its action. The XT4's only decisive controls are its brakes, which hauled our test car down from 70 mph in our emergency-stopping test in 172 feet with one of the firmest brake pedals we've encountered.

2020 cadillac xt4 rearView Photos
Cadillac

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Despite its fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation capability, the XT4 earns wholly average EPA fuel-economy estimates, with front-wheel-drive variants reaching 30 mpg on the highway. In our real-world highway fuel-economy test, our all-wheel-drive test vehicle managed just 27 of its EPA-rated 29 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The XT4's interior, while comfortable and spacious, isn't as high-class as we expect in this premium segment. The dashboard and upper door panels are covered in a stitched, faux-leather wrap, but lower on the doors and center console, cheaper, sharp-edged plastic persists. The buttons and switches look and feel as though they're likely to be shared with less expensive offerings in the General Motors portfolio. Space is great for the front-seat occupants and actually pretty decent in the back seat, too. As with its passenger compartment, the XT4's cargo room is spacious. Behind the XT4's rear seat we fit six of our carry-on suitcases, and with the seatbacks folded flat, we managed to fit 18—slightly more than smaller rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and the Mini Cooper Countryman. If you're looking for a small SUV that can haul cargo like a larger one, the Volvo XC40—which held 23 carry-on suitcases—is worth a look.

2020 cadillac xt4 interiorView Photos
Cadillac

Infotainment and Connectivity

All XT4 models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Cadillac's CUE software. The touchscreen looks nice and crisp and is tucked slightly into the dashboard. The interface is reasonably easy to use, too, and in addition to touching the screen, the user can also interact via a console-mounted knob. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and a seven-speaker audio system are all standard; navigation is optional, as is a 13-speaker Bose audio system. Selecting the available Technology package (Premium Luxury and Sport models only) adds a digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, and a wireless smartphone-charging pad.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The XT4 has earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't completed its battery of testing. Cadillac does offer it with a plethora of driver-assistance features, but few of them are standard fare. Key safety features include:

  • Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
  • Available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Cadillac warranty outdoes several of its rivals with powertrain coverage that lasts six years or 70,000 miles. Cadillac offers one free maintenance visit with the purchase of any 2020 model.

  • Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
  • Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 12,000 miles
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Specifications

Specifications:

2019 Cadillac XT4 Sport AWD

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-/all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED: $56,835 (base price: $42,790)

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 cu in, 1998 cc
Power: 237 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.6-in vented disc/12.4-in vented disc
Tires: Continental ProContact TX, 245/45R-20 99H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 109.4 in
Length: 181.1 in
Width: 74.1 in
Height: 64.1 in
Passenger volume: 98 cu ft
Cargo volume, Behind F/R: 49/23 ft3
Curb weight: 3980 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 7.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 23.0 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 40.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.1 sec @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 132 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 19 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 24/22/29 mpg

>>CLICK TO DOWNLOAD TEST SHEET<<

>>CLICK TO DOWNLOAD COMPLETE SPECS<<

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