2017 Cadillac XT5 Test Drive [Review]

Luxury Crossovers have become the most popular category in the global luxury marketplace, and the Cadillac division of General Motors is set to enter the playing field with its first ever crossover touring model – the XT5. The 2017 Cadillac XT5 goes on sale in April and is the first of four new planned crossovers to emerge from the luxury marque. According to Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen who stated, “It’s pivotal to our ongoing growth, which is why we’ve developed XT5 from the inside out to provide customers more space, more technology, more luxury and more efficiency.”

The XT5 replaces the outgoing SRX, and is based on a unique all-new global chassis and structure. The new two-row, midsize crossover tips the scales at 292 pounds less than the SRX despite the fact that it is seven inches longer. As a result, rear seat legroom is 3.2 inches more than in the current SRX, and the rear seat reclines in addition to moving forward and backward.

The new architecture delivers a wheelbase two inches longer than the SRX and a track that’s one inch wider, affording extra useable interior space. The XT5’s overall length, width, and height, however, are slightly smaller than the SRX, giving it a firmly planted stance, and a lean and sleekly aerodynamic appeal.

The entire design execution displays fluid, liquid forms accented by dramatic cut and character lines. The rich image begins up front with the shield-shaped grille flanked by the vertical LED light pipes. The hood features a subtle center line and outer edge accent lines that flow into the slimmer “A” pillar outlining the sharply sweptback windshield that joins the rising curved roofline that finishes with an integrated spoiler resting above the reverse angled backlight and hiding the rear wiper.

The “B” and “C” pillars are blacked out and surrounded by bright a trim whose rear slope draws attention to the reverse angle “D” pillar or sail panel. In profile, there are two character lines – an upper shoulder and one lower line above the rocker, with a bright horizontal accent bar that emphasize the vehicle’s rising overall “flying wedge” image. The aft end exhibits a wide stance with broad shoulders and split, rectangular exhaust tips that are integrated into the rear diffuser. A lower composite trim surrounds the entire vehicle providing protection from road debris.

The interior is a showcase of genuine materials – wood, aluminum, carbon fiber and double-stitched leather. The seats are supportive, optimally adjustable and comfortable.

The new Cadillac XT5 SUV crossover comes in four levels of trim: the base XT5 that starts at $38,995 and is available only in the FWD configuration; the Luxury trim with a starting price of $44,895-FWD and $47,390-AWD; the Premium Luxury beginning at $51,895 – FWD and $54,390 – AWD; and the top-of-the-line Platinum model starting at $62,500, available in AWD only.

For the U.S. marketplace, the XT5 draws its power from a new longitudinally front-mounted 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve direct injection V6 engine with VVT, auto stop/start and Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technologies, which debuted earlier this year in the Cadillac ATS and CTS sport sedans. Horsepower is 310 at 6,700 rpm, and torque measures 271 pound-feet at 5,000 rpm. Energy is geared through an eight-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision Shift, and is delivered to either the front wheels or to all four via a twin-clutch AWD system with Electronic Transmission Range Selection.

Infotainment is courtesy of Cadillac’s updated CUE system with a faster processor and revised graphics similar to the new Cadillac CT6. 4G wireless connectivity, with a standard integrated Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging, is included. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard fare for simpler in-car phone integration. A new rear camera mirror is available with the Platinum trim, which provides a 300 percent increase in rearward vision along with an all-new auto wash feature.

I was able to experience drive time in both the Luxury FWD and Premium Luxury AWD trim levels of the Cadillac XT5 SUV, spending the majority of time in a Premium Luxury model with the exterior finished in Red Passion metallic and the interior executed in Black. My AWD XT5 test unit was base priced at $54,390., which escalated to $57,790 after factoring in the Climate Control, Advanced Security, and Driver Assist Packages.

SUMMARY: The 2017 Cadillac XT5 represents a vast improvement over the SRX that it is replacing. It features more content, improved NVH, better acceleration and greater agility while delivering enhanced fuel efficiency along with an increase in usable interior space.

The ride, handling qualities, and characteristics benefit through the optimization of the body structure, with increased stiffness for a more pleasing and dramatic performance as well as improved crashworthiness, while delivering a lower overall mass. The XT5 tips the scales with a 292-pound reduction in weight from that of the SRX.

The 3.6-liter V6 comes with Active Fuel Management and auto stop/start (which cannot be deactivated) combining to yield EPA mileage estimates of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway in FWD models and 18 city and 26 highway mpg in AWD examples, representing a 3 mpg gain in fuel economy. All this while moving the XT5 from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds for the FWD model and 7.1 seconds for the AWD version. The 310 horses along with the 271 pound-feet of torque supply enough oomph to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

All in all, the all-new 2017 Cadillac XT5 is a superb and luxurious SUV in all of its trim levels, with the Platinum Edition representing the cream of the crop in the lineup with added features and plushness.

On the TFLcar scale of:

I give the 2017 Cadillac XT5 a ‘Buy It!‘. The new touring SUV crossover from Cadillac earns merits for its solid ride, available torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system, sharp styling, and plush cabin feel.

2017 Cadillac XT5 SPECIFICATIONS:

In this TFLcar ‘everything you ever wanted to know’ video, Nathan shares what he learned about the 2017 Cadillac XT5 from the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles as well.