Offering practicality & Comfort
MRSP: $52,732
Horsepower: 310 @ 6,600 rpm
Torque (lb. ft.): 271 @ 5,000 rpm
Layout: Front engine,
all-wheel-drive
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 12.9 L/100 km city and 8.9 L/100 highway
Over the past 10-years I have become a real fan of the Cadillac line of vehicles as they are attractive and excellent handling and ridding vehicles. A model that satisfies these needs and my desire for something a little more practical is the XT5 Crossover. Since my wife and I like to carry a lot of bulky items, the XT5 is perfect for our kind of lifestyle.
The XT5 Luxury all-wheel drive (AWD) I was given to test is the upper model in the XT5 line. As you might suspect it was fully loaded with just about all the items people have come to expect in a high-line vehicle plus a few extras I will talk about later.
The XT5 shares its shape with many of the other Crossovers in the GM line-up. The practical hatch allows for bulky items to fit in easily, and if needed, the rear seats fold easily allowing for even more space.
While we are on the topic of interiors, the inside of XT5 is roomy and hassle-free. The front seat leather buckets are comfortable and easy to get in and out of. The rear leather seats are comfortable too, with practical seating for two and three in a pinch. Something I really did like about the XT5 interior is its huge glass sunroof. Cadillac calls it the Ultra View and it lets in a panoramic view that can be enjoyed by the rear passengers as well.
Sitting behind the wheel of the XT5 you find a fairly practical dash layout that is simple to get to know and learn. All controls are easy to find and reach as you might expect. The instruments are easy to see and can be slightly configured to the driver’s needs if desired. A heads up speedometer is also standard, which I have to admit is convenient to see your speed in an instant. From the driver’s seat, the view is not too bad and the mirrors adjust to give you a good rear view too. Lane control will keep the driver alerted when drifting into another lane – a nice feature if you are easily distracted with passengers or the scenery. One last feature I really loved was the heated steering wheel, something I have come to truly love in cold weather that enhances better winter driving.
Keeping pace with the rest of the Cadillac line, the XT5 is equipped with a conventional 3.6L V6 with no overhead cam or cams for that matter. This variable valve engine produces a very healthy 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, which means that the XT5 will easily pull up the steepest mountain roads British Columbia has to offer. I have to admit I did like to give this powerful engine a run for it money which I paid for in poor fuel consumption, but none the less it was a lot of fun. Being an AWD, control in the wet was very secure and posed no problems even in some slippery and icy conditions I encountered.
Owning a Crossover myself, I have come to appreciate the practicality of owning a vehicle with a lot of space to carry simple things. In the case of the XT5, it does all this plus handles well, making it entertaining to drive and useful. If you are in the market for a practical but accommodating vehicle, the Cadillac XT5 is well worth taking into consideration.
