2019 Cadillac XT5

Is the Cadillac XT5 a Good SUV?

The 2019 Cadillac XT5 is a decent option if you’re shopping for a luxury midsize SUV. The XT5 has a roomy interior with attractive styling. It rides comfortably, and its V6 engine provides adequate power for everyday driving. The XT5 also has a user-friendly infotainment system and many available safety features. To add to its value, XT5's $41,695 starting price is among the lowest in the class.

Should I Buy the Cadillac XT5?

The XT5’s overall refinement and competitive pricing make it worth a look. That said, a lot of classmates outshine the XT5 when it comes to interior quality and performance. The BMW X5 and Audi Q7 have classier cabin materials, zestier handling, and more powerful engine options. The Q7 comes standard with seven seats – two more than the Cadillac offers. If you can afford to spend a bit more, these alternatives are worth it.

Compare the XT5, X5, and Q7 »

Should I Buy a New or Used Cadillac XT5?

The 2019 Cadillac XT5 is part of a generation that debuted for the 2017 model year, and it fills the spot left by the discontinued Cadillac SRX. The 2019 XT5 sees only minor changes, including new standard safety technology in higher trim levels. Your best bet is to stick with the 2017 XT5. It's nearly identical to both the 2018 and 2019 XT5s, but it costs less.

If you're interested in a used model, visit our overviews of the 2017 and 2018 XT5. Also, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 XT5 »

We Did the Research for You: 23 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 23 Cadillac XT5 reviews, as well as fuel economy estimates, performance specs, crash test results, and more, to give you all the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision. This Cadillac XT5 review includes applicable data and research from all model years of the XT5's current generation, which runs from 2017 to 2019.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been reviewing cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our Best Cars team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To remain impartial, we do not accept extravagant gifts from automakers, and an outside source handles our advertising.

How Much Does the Cadillac XT5 Cost?

The 2019 Cadillac XT5 has a starting price of $41,695, making it one of the least expensive vehicles in the luxury midsize SUV class. The midlevel Luxury and Premium Luxury trims start at $48,495 and $54,195, respectively. The top Platinum trim has an MSRP of $65,895, which is still lower than the base trims of some class rivals.

The five-passenger XT5 and the upcoming seven-passenger XT6 fit in the middle of Cadillac’s SUV lineup. At the bottom is the five-seat Cadillac XT4, which has a $34,795 starting price. At the top is the Cadillac Escalade ($75,195), which can seat up to eight passengers.

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.

Cadillac XT5 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Cadillac XT5 or Lincoln Nautilus?

Previously known as the MKX, the Lincoln Nautilus has a similar appeal as the XT5. Both SUVs ride comfortably over rough pavement and offer roomy seating for five passengers. Both are also priced lower than every other model in this segment. The Lincoln emerges as the favorite though. It has an easier-to-use infotainment system as well as more standard features, like forward collision warning and blind spot monitoring. The Nautilus is also offered with a choice of punchier four- and six-cylinder engine options.

Which Is Better: Cadillac XT5 or Lexus RX 350?

The Lexus RX 350 is another popular luxury midsize SUV. The RX’s starting price is a little higher than the XT5’s, but you get a richer cabin and a large suite of active safety features. The RX 350 has an outstanding predicted reliability rating. It's available in two- and three-row variants as well, making it a better option for growing families. Consider the RX 350 first.

Compare the XT5, Nautilus, and RX 350 »

XT5 Interior

How Many People Does the XT5 Seat?

The XT5 has seating for five people in two rows of comfortable, supportive seats. There's a respectable amount of space in both rows, and the second row slides and reclines. The front row's high center armrest limits your elbow room, however, and the available panoramic sunroof reduces rear-seat headroom. Some reviewers wish for better outward visibility.

XT5 and Child Car Seats

There are two sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats and an upper tether on the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for ease of use. The IIHS noted that other hardware can be confused for the tether anchors.

XT5 Interior Quality

The XT5 features modern, elegant styling with high-quality materials, including wood accents and supple leatherette seats. Power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and sliding and reclining rear seats are standard. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, heated rear-outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel are available.

XT5 Cargo Space

There's 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the XT5's second-row seats and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded completely flat. That's about average for the class. You can slightly increase the total cargo space by sliding the rear seats forward. A power liftgate is standard, and a hands-free power liftgate is available.

XT5 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The XT5 comes with the CUE infotainment system, which includes an 8-inch touch screen, voice recognition, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot, HD Radio, Bluetooth, four USB ports, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and satellite radio. The system is nicely laid out and easy to use, though the volume slider with haptic feedback is overly sensitive. Available features include navigation and a 14-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system.

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

Read more about interior »

XT5 Performance

XT5 Engine: Solid Power

The XT5 comes standard with a 310-horsepower V6 engine and a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine has plenty of power for most driving situations, but it may not be ideal for those interested in more robust performance.

XT5 Gas Mileage: Pretty Good

The 2019 XT5 delivers 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which are slightly above-average estimates for the class. Both city and highway ratings drop by 1 mpg in models with all-wheel drive.

XT5 Ride and Handling: Not Exciting, but Comfortable

Shoppers looking for a comfortable cruiser with a fairly smooth ride and composed handling will be happy with the XT5. However, those interested in more athletic handling and great road feedback may find the XT5's ride quality mundane. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

XT5 Towing Capacity

The XT5 can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. That's enough to pull a small trailer or jet ski, but a few class rivals are rated to tow substantially more.

Read more about performance »

XT5 Reliability

Is the Cadillac XT5 Reliable?

The 2019 XT5 earns a predicted reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power, which is average.

Cadillac XT5 Warranty

The XT5 comes with a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

XT5 Safety

XT5 Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 Cadillac XT5 an overall rating of four out of five stars, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests. From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2019 XT5 received the highest score of Good in five individual crash tests. The XT5 earned the highest rating of Superior for its front crash prevention features, but it received the second lowest rating of Marginal for headlight performance.

XT5 Safety Features

All 2019 XT5 models come with a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Available safety features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert, a safety alert seat, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, pedestrian braking, forward and reverse automatic braking, a following distance indicator, adaptive cruise control, a rear-camera mirror, automatic high beams, active park assist, a head-up display, and a surround-vision camera.

Read more about safety »

Which Cadillac XT5 Model Is Right for Me?

The 2019 Cadillac XT5 comes in four trim levels: the base XT5, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum. Most shoppers will be satisfied with the feature-rich base trim. Those looking for abundant advanced safety features should consider the Premium Luxury trim. All-wheel drive is $3,000 in the base trim and $2,500 in the Luxury and Premium Luxury trim levels. The Platinum trim comes with it standard.

Cadillac XT5

Starting at $41,695, the base XT5 trim comes standard with leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a rearview camera, rear park assist, Bluetooth, four USB ports, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, HD Radio, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Cadillac XT5 Luxury

The XT5 Luxury trim (MSRP: $48,495) includes a sunroof, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated outside mirrors, wireless charging, front and rear park assist, lane change alert, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, low-speed forward automatic braking, front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a safety alert seat, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury

The Premium Luxury trim (MSRP: $54,195) comes with a 14-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, navigation, tri-zone automatic climate control, a performance suspension system, and ventilated front seats. A Driver Assist package ($1,595), which adds forward and reverse automatic braking, active park assist, and adaptive cruise control, is also available.

Cadillac XT5 Platinum

Starting at $65,895, the XT5 Platinum trim comes with all-wheel drive, upgraded leather seats, a hands-free liftgate, a head-up display, a rear-camera mirror, a surround-vision camera, adaptive cruise control, forward and reverse automatic braking, and active park assist.

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 XT5 specs and trims »

The Final Call

If you're interested in a budget-friendly luxury midsize SUV with a classy cabin and a compliant ride, the 2019 Cadillac XT5 is a fine contender. However, the XT5's dull handling makes it a poor choice for performance-minded shoppers.

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

• "Although the XT5 cuts a handsome figure, we've found in our testing that it doesn't excel in any particular area. The V6 engine, which is the only engine Cadillac offers, won't wow you with its performance or fuel economy, while some interior design choices impede ease of use and visibility." -- Edmunds (2018)
• Really, it's that distinctive style and an ample amount of standard infotainment tech that stand out from the luxury SUV crowd. Otherwise, the XT5 is a middle-of-the-pack choice that’s at least worth a test drive." -- Autotrader (2018)
• "The 2017 XT5 is a great luxury vehicle—one that will be appreciated for all its features and comfort by those who don't put the top priority on driving performance, yet one with performance that will exceed and delight for that crowd." -- The Washington Post (2017)