2019 Cadillac XT4

Is the Cadillac XT4 a Good SUV?

Yes, the 2019 XT4 is a good luxury subcompact SUV. The XT4 has only one engine option, but it performs admirably whether you're hopping around town or cruising on the highway. This Cadillac offers a comfortable ride, as you'd expect in this class, but handling leaves something to be desired. The XT4 has a nice interior quality, a good amount of cargo space, and more rear legroom than many rivals. The infotainment system has a learning curve, and this Caddy’s brakes are finicky, but the XT4 is a well-rounded luxury crossover.

Should I Buy the Cadillac XT4?

The 2019 XT4 retails for under $35,000, which is about average for the class. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this Caddy, thanks to a potent powertrain and lots of standard features. The XT4 is a better buy and value than more expensive class rivals like the Jaguar E-Pace.

Compare the XT4 and E-Pace »

Should I Buy a New or Used Cadillac XT4?

The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is an all-new model, so there are no available used models.

We Did the Research for You: 16 Reviews Analyzed

We analyzed 16 Cadillac XT4 reviews – along with fuel economy estimates and other data – to help you decide if the 2019 XT4 is the right new car for you.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To remain objective, we don't accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside team manages the advertising on our site.

How Much Does the Cadillac XT4 Cost?

The 2019 Cadillac XT4 starts at $34,795, which is midrange for a new luxury subcompact SUV. The XT4's two higher trims both start at $39,295. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional in each model for $2,500. A fully loaded XT4 costs nearly $53,000.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great deals at your local Cadillac dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Cadillac deals page.

Cadillac XT4 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Cadillac XT4 or Jaguar E-Pace?

The Jaguar E-Pace is not as good overall as the XT4. Both of the E-Pace's engine choices feel unrefined in contrast to the XT4's powerful engine. The E-Pace has balanced and poised handling along with a comfortable ride, but you'll get better fuel economy with the XT4. The Cadillac has expansive rear legroom and trumps the Jaguar for back-seat space, but the E-Pace has the edge in cargo volume. The E-Pace’s appeal is hurt by a poor predicted reliability rating and one of the highest base prices in the class, at $38,600. For the money, you're better off with the XT4.

Which Is Better: Cadillac XT4 or Cadillac XT5?

The Cadillac XT5 sits two classes above the XT4, in the luxury midsize SUV segment. However, its roughly $41,700 MSRP is one of the lowest in its class and about what you'd spend for an upper-trim XT4. These brand siblings have similar lists of standard and available features. The XT5 comes with a brutish V6 engine, but it doesn't offer any real performance advantages over the XT4's peppy, fuel-efficient turbo-four. As you'd expect, you'll get more cargo space with the larger XT5, though both SUVs have good second-row space. The XT5 is a good but not great SUV, so there's little reason to spend more for it than you would for the XT4.

Compare the XT4, E-Pace, and XT5 »

XT4 Interior

How Many People Does the XT4 Seat?

The Cadillac XT4 seats five people. Thanks to the XT4's massive second-row legroom, travelers have more space to stretch out in than in nearly any class rival. Headroom is good too, but taller folks may wish they had a bit more space.

Up front, the seats afford comfort and support for long drives. A multitude of adjustments for the seats and steering wheel make it easy to find a relaxing driving position. Outward visibility is excellent thanks to a high seating position, a large windshield, and thin pillars.

XT4 and Car Seats

The XT4 has two complete sets of LATCH connections in the rear outboard seats. There's a third tether anchor for the middle seat.

XT4 Interior Quality

The new XT4 encompasses most of what you'd expect from an entry-level luxury crossover. Interiors in this class are generally nice but lack some of the outright opulence of their larger and more expensive brand mates. The XT4 has soft-touch surfaces all-around and a sleek, modern cabin design. Discerning eyes might be able to pick out a few cheaper touches, but trim pieces like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum boost the XT4's luxury chops.

XT4 Cargo Space

The XT4 has 22.5 cubic feet of space behind its rear seat, which is a decent amount for the class. You can fold down the second row to create a nearly flat floor that expands the space to 48.9 cubic feet. The whole cargo hold has a square shape and a wide opening, which make it easy to fit in large or bulky items. However, the lift-in height is a bit high, which makes it challenging to load heavy cargo.

The Jaguar E-Pace has a little more space than the XT4 – 24.2 cubic feet and a maximum of 52.7 cubic feet. The much-larger Cadillac XT5 has 30 cubes behind its second row and a maximum space of 63 cubic feet.

XT4 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The XT4 comes with a good number of standard amenities, including proximity key entry and remote start. Housed in an 8-inch touch screen, Cadillac's User Experience infotainment system includes HD Radio, satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot.

In addition to the touch screen, you can control many of the car's features with a knob on the center console, which is a hallmark of several luxury brand infotainment systems. The touch screen processes inputs quickly, but it can be distracting to reach and use while driving. The knob, on the other hand, is designed for easier operation while driving, but it can be hard to navigate through multiple menus and selections.

Other Cadillac vehicles have much-maligned touch-sensitive capacitive buttons that control common functions like climate settings and volume. The XT4 reverts to physical controls, which critics appreciate.

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto? 

Read more about interior »

XT4 Performance

XT4 Engine: Caddy Up, Cowboy!

The 2019 XT4's base engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This Caddy takes off from a stop with gusto and has no problem merging onto a freeway or passing other cars when cruising. A nine-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth and precise shifts.

XT4 Gas Mileage: Better Than Rivals

With standard front-wheel drive, the XT4 gets 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are good for the class, though they drop to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with optional all-wheel drive.

The Jaguar E-Pace gets up to 21/28 mpg city/highway, while the Cadillac XT5 manages only 19/26 mpg city/highway.

XT4 Ride and Handling: Easy Steering, Questionable Brakes

The XT4 has light and easy steering, which makes it easy to maneuver through crowded city streets and tight parking lots. Its relatively small size helps in that regard as well. There's little feedback from the road, however. Instead of aiming for corner-carving athleticism, the XT4 prioritizes a soft, comfortable ride.

This SUV’s brake system is a source of contention among critics. The XT4 is the first Cadillac to employ an electro-hydraulic braking system, which uses supplemental electric power for the brakes. A few test drivers are impressed with how strong the brakes feel, but most note that the pedal is firm and delivers less response and feel than you want when braking. Either way, it'll probably take some getting used to.

Read more about performance »

XT4 Reliability

Is the Cadillac XT4 Reliable?

As of this writing, the 2019 Cadillac XT4 doesn't have a predicted reliability rating.

Cadillac XT4 Warranty

Cadillac covers the XT4 with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

XT4 Safety

XT4 Crash Test Results

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2019 XT4. Many luxury vehicles don't undergo crash evaluations.

XT4 Safety Features

The 2019 XT4 comes standard with rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and General Motors' Teen Driver System, which lets you set speed and audio limits for secondary drivers.

This Cadillac offers a ton of optional driver assistance and active safety systems. Most are spread across several packages, so you can pick and choose which features you want. This also makes it easier to get some of these technologies for a lower price than buying one expensive package with all of them. The XT4 is available with front parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a safety alert seat, a rearview mirror camera, a surround-view parking camera, automatic parking assist, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and forward and reverse automatic emergency braking.

Read more about safety »

Which Cadillac XT4 Model Is Right for Me?

The all-new 2019 Cadillac XT4 is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels. All models have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional for $2,500.

The base model comes well-equipped with amenities like remote start, an infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot. Spend about $5,000 more for either the Premium Luxury or Sport models, and you'll get leather seats and a few extra driver assistance features.

Cadillac XT4 Luxury

The 2019 Cadillac XT4 Luxury starts at $34,795. Standard features include leatherette upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity key entry, remote start, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, the Teen Driver system, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Bluetooth, four USB ports, a seven-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot.

The Cold Weather package ($850) includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats. For $1,700, a sunroof is optional, and $1,500 will get you navigation and a 13-speaker Bose premium sound system.

Cadillac XT4 Premium Luxury

The XT4 Premium Luxury retails for $39,925 and adds leather seats, front parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a safety alert seat, and a power liftgate.

Several option packages are available. For $1,050, the Comfort and Convenience package adds ventilated and massaging front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, four-way power front-seat lumbar adjustments, and a hands-free liftgate. The Enhanced Visibility package ($1,500) comes with a rearview mirror camera, a surround-view parking camera, and automatic parking assist.

The Technology package costs $1,650 and includes an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, a power tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, and wireless device charging. For $1,100, the Driver Assist package will get you adaptive cruise control and forward and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Driver Awareness package ($770) includes automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking.

Other options like the Cold Weather package, the sunroof, navigation, and the Bose stereo are also available.

Cadillac XT4 Sport

The XT4 Sport starts at $39,925 – the same price as the Premium Luxury trim – but comes with leatherette seats, a sport steering wheel, and sporty design upgrades. The list of options and packages is nearly identical to that of the Premium Luxury trim, but you can add an active sport suspension for $1,200.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Cadillac dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Cadillac deals page.

See 2019 Cadillac XT4 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The brand-new 2019 Cadillac XT4 gets a lot of things right. Ample engine power compensates for unengaging handling, while excellent legroom, good cargo space, and pleasing materials make for an admirable interior.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "With the XT4, Cadillac is going after the heart of the booming SUV market. And with a long list of available features, expressive exterior design, usable backseat and excellent drivetrain, the XT4 should do well. However, the XT4 isn't without faults. The XT4's interior is fine, but we wish it was better -- both in terms of design and materials. And although you do get a larger vehicle for the money, the XT4 is priced at the top of the segment. But overall the XT4 is a compelling package that's hitting the market at just the right time." -- Left Lane News
• "There's enough novel tech to provide bragging rights, it's obviously a Cadillac but also a handsome crossover in its own right, and it's a pleasing enough place to sit while scooting around in traffic or on the freeway. This is a genre where competence and curb appeal are highly valued, and the XT4 has enough of both to be a real competitor." -- Autoblog
• "The XT4's edgy styling had us hoping that Cadillac's subcompact crossover – like its ATS, CTS, and CT6 sedans – had been engineered to impress driving enthusiasts. But during the day we spent hustling the XT4 along the picturesque rural roads circumscribing greater Seattle, it became clear that Cadillac has instead aimed for more traditional entry-luxury crossover stuff: quietness, sumptuousness, and user-focused technology. Sure, it's too bad that the honey of an engine, which revs so smoothly you'd swear its cylinder liners were spun silk, must work through a transmission that positively neuters its output with lackadaisical responses. But the competent yet uncommunicative suspension and steering? That's par for this class." -- Car and Driver