2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021, including a new engine option, revised styling, and advanced technology. The exterior featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a more upscale experience than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the fresh updates from 2020, including a two-motor hybrid powertrain, improved interior storage, and standard Honda Sensing safety technology. The exterior had subtle differences from the gas-only CR-V, such as "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid featured unique instrumentation and trim, with the Touring trim offering luxurious touches like ivory leather and a premium sound system. Despite some fake wood accents, the CR-V Hybrid's interior was spacious and comfortable, especially in the rear seats.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but could benefit from more low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg during testing, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the AWD V6.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. It also had three driver-selected modes: Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight improved its center of gravity and weight distribution. During testing, it returned 33.7 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg combined.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided enough room for four adults in two rows, though the back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants. The front seats, while heated, were not as comfortable on long trips due to hard bottom cushions. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors, but featured a deep rear cargo area with a cargo-management system. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space and comfort. The front seats were supportive, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The CR-V Hybrid had 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack. Maximum cargo space was 68.7 cubic feet, still competitive within the segment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, and USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror and a head-up display. The digital instrument cluster provided necessary vehicle information, and the infotainment screen could darken at night for a less distracting driving experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, had a 7-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The system was slow to start and had limited voice-recognition capabilities. It supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the Touring trim offering wireless smartphone charging and a nine-speaker premium audio system. The system also included text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and integrated Pandora internet radio.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were available in all trims. The XT5 also offered Night Vision technology, enhancing nighttime drivability, and General Motors' Teen Driver software, allowing parents to limit vehicle features and monitor driving habits.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. The CR-V Hybrid also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.