2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased a significant improvement in design and refinement, reflecting Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a premium brand. The SUV's exterior featured a snub-nosed design with distinct trim level differentiation, highlighted by standard LED lights and 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale interior than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents, especially in the Premium Luxury trim. The cabin's horizontal design lines and straightforward materials contributed to a more elegant and less cluttered aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X5 maintained the brand's signature design elements, from the kidney grille to the body shape, ensuring it was unmistakably a BMW. The X5's exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim options, including the sporty M Sport styling. The interior, while consistent with BMW's design language, was criticized for its sameness across models. Despite this, the cabin offered a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, with M Sport models featuring unique styling elements. The X5's interior was noted for its quietness and comfort, although the abundance of black plastic was a minor drawback.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, was available for the Premium Luxury trim and standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but less refined when downshifting. The XT5's fuel efficiency was competitive, with the V6 achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres in real-world testing, better than the estimated 11.2 L/100 km.

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. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 with 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, with up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the xDrive45e rated at 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided ample space for four adults, though the rear seat's headroom was limited for taller passengers. The front seats, while visually appealing, were less comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space, with a deep rear cargo area, though wheel bump-outs reduced its width. The SUV's cargo-management system and hands-free power liftgate added convenience, but small-item storage was limited, with no ideal spot for a smartphone.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but became hard over time. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, with an optional third row available. The X5's split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated loading cargo, though the doors did not open wide enough for easy access to the second row. The xDrive45e model offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal for most buyers.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose sound system, and a subscription-based WiFi hotspot. The system included a rotary controller, though its design crowded the screen's aesthetics. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror and a head-up display, enhancing nighttime driving and providing essential vehicle information.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital gauge cluster, and a 10-speaker sound system. Additional features included a panoramic sunroof, remote start, and optional upgrades like a head-up display and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar. The X5's technology package was comprehensive, though wireless Apple CarPlay occasionally took over music operations unexpectedly.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, while the Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features. However, not all safety technologies were standard across trim levels.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a robust suite of safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, though it struggled with lane-keeping in certain conditions. The X5 received high safety ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to several recalls.