Cadillac has been very successful building and selling large luxury SUVs for two decades now. For the last couple of years, the carmaker been giving attention to its smallest crossover, the XT4.
The small XT4 is very stylish just like its bestselling big brother, the Escalade. Cadillac uses a bold style that really makes this little crossover stand out from the crowd.
The XT4 Premium Luxury trim level has sleek modern LED lighting that sets this ride apart from its competitors. The large grill and big Cadillac emblem make sure you know what you are looking at. The large 20-inch wheels and optional Onyx package sets off the Wave metallic paint. Even out back, the sharp lines continue with slender taillights and dual exhaust outlets.
Inside, the modern exterior style carries into the cabin. The gauge cluster, a large 8-inch color screen and head-up display, are a nice touch for the drivers. For its smaller size, the cabin is rather spacious — front and rear seat riders will be surprised with its amount of space and the comfort of the soft leather seats. However, there’s still some hard trim pieces and a less than stellar-feeling switchgear in this pricey ride. It seems Cadillac has upped the technology with the XT4 to be in better line with the competition.
When you hit the gas, the XT4’s 236 HP four-cylinder engine moves you smoothly and quietly. The transmission is a smooth operator, and as commuter crossover, it proved a fine ride. However, I was not a huge fan of being pushed on back roads. It feels a little out of sorts, jittery and a bit heavy. Because of that, the daily commute and highway driving is where this little caddy works best.
Cost: $42,695 as tested $56,365
MPG: 22 MPG City; and 29 MPG Highway. I managed 25.2 mpg in 330 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $2,795 Onyx package; $1,650 technology package; $1,550 sunroof dual panel; $1,500 Cadillac user experience with NAV and Bose CenterPoint surround sound system; $1,500 enhanced visibility package; $1,100 driver assist package; $950 comfort and convince package; $850 cold weather package; $625 wave metallic; $1,195 destination charge
Safety: HD surround vision camera; enhanced auto parking assist; teen driver mode; adaptive cruise control; enhanced automatic emergency braking; forward collision alert; safety seat alert; lane keep assist/lane departure warning; lane change alert/side blind zone alert; rear pedestrian alert; reverse automatic braking; brake pad monitor; rear camera mirror with washer.
Things to know: The Cadillac XT4 is small crossover with space to spread out. With a stylish look, the smallest caddy still stands out in the crowd.
Pros:
- Stylish exterior stands out in a crowded small luxury crossover market
- Lots of space for passengers in this tiny crossover
- Easy to drive and maneuver in packed city streets
Cons:
- The interior has some hard plastics and lower grade trim pieces
- Ride feels unsettled on curvy and bumpy roads
- Pricey when you add options on higher trim levels
