2018 Cadillac XT5 Platinum AWD

2018 Cadillac XT5 Platinum AWD

Test Drive

Written by Marco Carvajal

Photographs by Cadillac

It is a pleasure to drive the XT5, this crossover will justify and even surpass all your expectations. Lightweight, elegant, spacious and stunningly adaptive, the Cadillac XT5 has been designed to surprise the driver and passengers.

The new Cadillac XT5 impressed me with its driving and technical characteristics. The Cadillac XT5 has amazing functionality and style, if you want class and elegance this might be your new partner in the road.

Introduction

For many young car buyers Cadillac is either unknown, or associated with grandpa’s old car, but since a few years ago, Cadillac have had a remarkable remade, and many of the new cars like this XT5 aren’t grandpa’s style at all.  Even the youngest and “coolest” kids will be impressed and potentially in love with the new trendy Cadillacs. The 310 horse power 3.6L V6 engine is strong enough to pull anything you want. The XT5 is not only luxury is also very powerful.

The Cadillac XT5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors under its luxury brand Cadillac. In 2016, the XT5 replaced the Cadillac SRX crossover. The XT5 is part of Cadillac’s Crossover Touring (XT) series.  According to external sources the XT5 is currently Cadillac’s best selling model in the United States and globally.

The letters XT, mean Crossover Touring series, so the XT5 is the Crossover Touring 5.

The XT5 combines luxury and high-tech features to create a wonderful Crossover Touring 5 vehicle. Features include the rear camera mirror, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibilities, auto-heated steering wheel and front- and rear-seat USB capabilities.

There are 4 trims available for the 2018 XT5:

• Standard
• Luxury
• Premium Luxury
• Platinum

All the 4 versions of the XT5 are amazing luxury SUVs that anyone can enjoy, however I am test driving and placing more focus on the top model, the AWD XT5 Platinum.

The Platinum version includes several features standard like LED headlamps, hands-free gesture-activated lift-gate, an even a rear camera mirror with self-cleaning control.  Also standard on the XT5 Platinum, the Driver Awareness Package including safety features like includes Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Detection, Front Automatic Braking and IntelliBeam headlamps. If you are willing to pay more then the Platinum is the best choice on the XT5 family.

The style of the Cadillac XT5 is unusually beautiful. The car does not follow the vision of the ideal and radically departed from the understanding of American life. Engineers and designers have developed a style based on the branched roots of the brand and the American spirit associated with Cadillac. A large engine, comfortable massive armchairs, a solid front panel design where aesthetics do not interfere with functionality, and the most important, a sense of self-esteem, inspired by luxury seating and interior materials.

This luxury crossover is beautiful to watch, the exterior is a work of art.

The basic equipment of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 AWD crossovers includes a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The XT5 also features the Electronic Precision Shift system. This is the first Cadillac cars automatic transmission with electronic gearshift control. Electronic Precision Shift reduces noise and vibration, provides additional useful space, which allows you to place an additional storage compartment under the center console.

For the XT5, there is a new advanced all-wheel drive system with two couplings. The system of automatically connected AWD ensures reliable traction in various driving conditions.

Designed specially to increase stability on wet, snowy or icy roads, it makes this car’s behavior more stable than other in dry weather.

The XC40’s style is Versatile and refined, it can look modern and trendy, but keeping its classic elegant background.

History

Cadillac, the classic American brand, which produces luxury cars, is part of General Motors, abbreviated as GM, the brand is represented in more than 50 countries.

Cadillac was founded in 1902 by engineer Henry Leland and entrepreneur William Murphy. In July 1909, General Motors acquired Cadillac, but by mutual consent Henry Leland remained the company’s manager.  Cadillac began to produce large luxury cars and was one of the first brands to launch series of completely closed cars.

Pricing

There are 4 trims available for the 2018 XT5, Standard, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum, with a price range on all base models from $40,595 up to $63,395.

Exterior

The 2018 Cadillac ХТ5 was named after the new brand nomenclature and completely redesigned design, executed in the current corporate style with a more modern and sophisticated appearance. Although you can recognize the classic Cadillac’s American style in his exterior.

In the front of the Cadillac XT5, you can enjoy the design of a giant chrome trapezoidal radiator grille, divided into many sections with horizontal ribs, harmoniously combined with a relief hood.

On each side of this car you can see small headlights of complex shape with one “pupil” and a downward strip of DXO, combined with a rectangular bar of fog lamps installed below in the air intakes.

The side of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 looks dynamic and sporty. There are large wheels, side mirrors of large size, tail lights starting at the level of the front wheel arch, a relief line extending to the rear optics. Also you can see a slightly sloping roofline. At the top of the rear is a relatively large spoiler with a complex design and additional side sections. The lights on ХТ5 have completely red case, and at the very bottom, testifying to sports character of the car, two fairly large exhaust.

Exterior Features

• Roof Rack Cross Rails
• Stainless Assist Steps
• Black Chrome Bodyside Moldings
• Black Chrome Liftgate Trim
• Molded Trailer Hitch Cover
• Bright Surround Grille W/Black Chrome Mesh
• Clear Tail Lamps
• Front License Plate Bracket
• Black Molded Splash Guards
• Compact Spare Tire
• Wheel Locks

Interior

Interior design and decorative details of the Cadillac XT5 are based on the flagship model CT6 with streamlined surfaces and a minimum number of complex lines, which looks modern and elegant. A stylish multifunctional steering wheel with four spokes and a wooden hinge on the hub conceals a laconic combination of instruments with analogue digitization and color “scoreboard”, and the elegant central “ebb of the front panel” flaunts a large screen of the infotainment system and a beautiful block of ”climate” with a touch management. Finishing materials in the interior 2018 Cadillac XT5 fully correspond to premium essence – expensive plastics, high-grade leather, inserts made of natural wood and aluminum. The front seats are comfortable with a pronounced profile, heating and electric adjustment. On the second row of seats there is a three-seater sofa, capable of changing the angle of the backrest and moving along the cabin.

Interior Features

• Collapsible Cargo Area Organizer
• Protective Rear Seat Cover
• Premium Carpeted Floor Mats
• Premium Carpet Cargo Mat
• All-Weather Cargo Tray
• All-Weather Floor Mats
• Odor/Particulate Cabin Filter
• Powered Universal Tablet Holder
• Smoker’s Package
• Illuminated Cargo Sill Plate
• Sport Pedal Cover Set
• Universal Tablet Holder
• Cargo Net
• Illuminated Front Door Sill Plates
• Rear Seat DVD Entertainment System
• Rear Cargo Shade

Telematics

• Airbag Deployment Notification
• Emergency Service
• Stolen Vehicle Tracking/Assistance
• Concierge Service
• Destination Download
• Destination Guidance (Also Turn-By-Turn Navigation)
• Hands-Free Calling
• Roadside Assistance

In-Car Entertainment

• 3 Months Of Provided Satellite Radio Service
• 8 Total Speakers
• Bose Premium Brand Speakers
• USB Connection
• Auxiliary Audio Input And USB With External Media Control
• Satellite Radio
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
• AM/FM Stereo

Comfort & Convenience

• Cruise Control
• Electric Power Steering
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Front Seatback Storage
• Keyless Ignition
• Backup Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, etc.)
• Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
• Sun Sensor
• Interior Air Filtration
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Climate Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Rear Parking Sensors
  

  

Safety

Absolute comfort is impossible without a sense of security. Crossover premium the 2018 Cadillac XT5 is equipped with high-tech radar and cameras that will help you avoid potentially dangerous situations on the road.

The blind zone monitoring system and the pedestrian collision avoidance system have an important role in ensuring your safety and the safety of others.

Features

• 2 Front Headrests
• 2 Rear Headrests
• Auto Delay Off Headlights
• Child Seat Anchors
• Daytime Running Lights
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Dusk-Sensing Headlights
• Engine Immobilizer
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Stability Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• 4-Wheel ABS
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Front And Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Rear Center 3-Point Belt
• Rear Door Child Safety Locks

Conclusion

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 AWD, is a very elegant SUV with a real American character typical from the luxury classic brand.  Priced above $60,00 it is not a bargain, but still it is a great buy, good price for so much elegance, luxury, space, and style. The 310 horsepower engine will be more than enough to impress any car expert.

International competitors of the XT5 might be the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Lexus RX or Volvo XC60.

The Cadillac XT5  is a premium mid-size luxury crossover SUV with original and beautiful design, very spacious interior and well balanced performance.

The XT5 is lightweight with a design structure specifically created to improve fuel economy with an average 21 miles per gallon. Good driving dynamics and interior space. It’s powered by the same powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine that debuted in the 2017 ATS and CTS sport sedans, and is currently used in the CT6 model.

XT5’s connectivity comes with additional USB ports, storage for both phones and tablets in the center console, WiFi capabilities and charging ports conveniently accessible in the front and rear seats. Well planned technology to enjoy today’s new connectivity trends while in the car.