2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the signature kidney grille to the overall body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-coloured trims and unique styling elements. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for its abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered additional aggressive styling cues, enhancing the sporty feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a blend of Cadillac's trademark design elements with a compact and tall profile. Its bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights were unmistakably Cadillac, though the overall design was considered somewhat ungainly. The XT5's trim levels, Premium Luxury and Sport, offered distinct styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trims and a mesh grille. The XT5's interior, especially with the optional Platinum Package, felt luxurious, featuring semi-aniline leather and a microfibre sueded headliner. However, without this package, the interior's design lacked a strong theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to its competitors.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were criticized for lacking the connected drive experience BMW was known for, with dynamics more akin to a Lincoln. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the plug-in hybrid was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and a total driving range of about 600 kilometres.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.6-litre V6, standard on the Sport trim, delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The XT5's cabin was notably quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats were comfortable for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate was easy to operate, with a vehicle height adjustment button for loading cargo. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though slightly reduced in the xDrive45e model. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, though less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows compared to its German rivals, but the seats were not as comfortable as expected for a luxury vehicle. Cadillac quoted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available. The centre console housed a rotary controller and shifter, with a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen for additional storage.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the Apple CarPlay system had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An optional Technology Package added a digital instrument cluster and head-up display. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the secondary controls were less intuitive, with a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads that lacked physical feedback. The standard eight-speaker Bose sound system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight or light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, lane-keep assist, and the Safety Alert Seat. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, enhanced emergency braking, and a surround-vision camera system. The XT5 received top Good scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a Marginal headlight rating and an Acceptable rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.