2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

Cadillac's 2020 XT4 employed a "Y" trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trims. The test vehicle, equipped with Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior, especially with 20-inch wheels, was visually appealing with crisp, tailored styling, though it had an excessive front overhang. Inside, the cabin used competitive quality materials, though some areas, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, fell short of luxury standards.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced with a two-motor hybrid powertrain in 2020, retained its freshened look for 2021. It featured updated styling, improved interior storage, standard Honda Sensing safety technology, and available wireless smartphone charging. The CR-V Hybrid looked similar to its gas-only counterparts, with "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, sophisticated LED fog lights, and a different rear bumper. Inside, it had unique instrumentation for battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive, and pricing ranged from $30,560 to $36,350. The test vehicle, in Touring trim with Platinum White Pearl paint and ivory leather, cost $37,920.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the FWD model achieving an EPA-rated 26 mpg, though the test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem somewhat mitigated in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The oversized wheels offered impressive grip, and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid paired a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It featured three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—and three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight of 194 pounds, carried low in the vehicle, improved weight distribution and retained 8.2 inches of ground clearance. The CR-V Hybrid was quick off the line, had plenty of power, and handled predictably, though it returned 33.7 mpg on the testing route, below the EPA rating of 38 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid's driving character was enjoyable, but it didn't match the efficiency of competitors like the RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered comfortable seating for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, with ample legroom but a flat cushion. The XT4's air conditioning system performed well, rapidly cooling the interior during a heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin had plenty of storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the XT4's cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment for the driver and heated front seats. The rear seat room was remarkable, with ample legroom and a flat floor for three passengers. Interior storage space was impressive, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger took up center console space. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space was configured for maximum utility, with 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down, though it was less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was easier to use than previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch touchscreen was complemented by intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could be larger, and the climate system was not integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked some features like a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, performed below expectations. The 7-inch touchscreen was small for the segment, and the lack of a tuning knob impacted user experience. The system took a long time to start, and the voice-recognition technology was limited. The navigation map display was cluttered, and the HondaLink connected services were minimal. The Touring trim included wireless smartphone charging, but it took up center console space. The nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, and the infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Pandora internet radio.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat system. It also included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. The XT4 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. The CR-V Hybrid also included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. These systems worked smoothly and accurately, though the CR-V's technology was not as advanced as some competitors. The CR-V Hybrid lacked automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and safe teen driver settings. It received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.