2021 cadillac crossover upgrade#
2021 cadillac crossover android#

As we get into the performance and driving sections below, though, we’ll find some holes in that argument. That leaves Cadillac with a legitimate value argument to be made. In general, it’s more closely aligned with midsize offerings in overall space, but undercuts those rivals in price. The rear cargo area is predictably big at 30.2 cubic-feet, but the Lincoln Nautilus offers more - an Acura RDX is just about the XT5’s equivalent in cargo space. This avoidance of classic size structures is nothing new for Cadillac, as its sedans have long played by the same playbook, including today's CT4 and CT5.Ĭadillac takes advantage of the XT5’s bigness with an expansive rear seat, easily besting smaller, similarly priced rivals at 39 inches of rear legroom. It’s bigger than a BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC-Class, but smaller than an X5 or GLE-Class. However, the XT5 doesn’t neatly slot into any category. It’s about the same length as a Lincoln Nautilus, its main American rival. The XT5 looks big, blocky and chunky from the outside. A heads-up display is optional, and so is Cadillac’s helpful Night Vision tech. Most of the competition has transitioned to an all-digital cluster, but Cadillac still hasn’t fully modernized the XT5, instead opting for a central cluster screen controlled via steering wheel buttons. We also like that its touchscreen is bolstered by a redundant rotary dial, which is a useful tool for scrolling through onscreen lists.Ĭadillac goes back into the loss column with its cheap-looking analog instrument cluster. However, it has all of today's expected content and is refreshingly easy to use. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is nothing special these days, and you'll be missing out on the whiz-bang features and dramatic interfaces found in many competitors (not to mention larger screens). Some of the tech in the XT5 is impressive, but in other ways Cadillac is far behind its competition. At least the vertical phone slot in the center console is great - it’s a perfect, space-efficient spot to place your phone out of the way and charge it while driving. The little cubby in the dash ahead of the shifter is weirdly useless (anything you put in there will just slide out upon accelerating), and there’s little space to stuff things in besides the cupholders. There’s no especially great rebound in usefulness and utility. Otherwise, it’s lacking in character and verging on boring compared to some of the more dashing dashes seen in other luxury crossovers like the Lincoln Nautilus, Volvo XC60 and the usual suspects from Germany. Done up in the right color upholstery (available on upper trims), there’s a touch of intrigue with the extensive use of leather-look or real leather facing the occupants. And then there’s a splash of metal tossed in for the climate controls that are frustratingly slow to respond. There’s a mix of the typical GM corporate plastic and Cadillac-specific glossy bits, but the ratio doesn’t seem right. The styling comes off as old and uninspired (and has since this generation was brand new). It’s covered in leatherette most places you look and touch (though much of it can be swapped to genuine leather with the Platinum Package). Similar to the exterior design, the interior is rather forgettable. What are the XT5 interior and in-car technology like? Finally, new 20-inch dark-painted wheels are added as optional on Sport models.Ĭadillac gave the XT5 a mid-cycle refresh last year, and you can find those 2020 changes here. Dark Moon Blue Metallic and Infrared Tintcoat are added to the exterior color options.

2021 cadillac crossover android#

It gains wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto functionality.

Some of the available tech is enticing at this price point, but an uninspired interior and lackluster drive experience would have us recommending many of the XT5’s rivals over it, regardless of which segment they belong.

2021 cadillac crossover upgrade#

The base four-cylinder is refined but less powerful than what competitors offer, while the V6 is hardly much of a performance upgrade and is shared with multiple non-luxury GM vehicles to boot. We’re less than enamored with the powertrain options, too. The blacked-out Sport trim adds a bit of pizazz, but nothing about the design is memorable. Style is always subjective, but inside and out, we find most of its competitors from Germany and elsewhere more compelling. And while it is cheaper than much of the midsized competition, you lose out in other areas. It does so with typical Cadillac nebulousness, straddling the line between size segments with the promise of getting more for your money than what the Germans might offer. The 2021 Cadillac XT5 plays in what’s become the most popular of all luxury segments: two-row crossovers.