2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing familial styling elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and pleasing design.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 exhibited a design that balanced between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It incorporated Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, but its compact footprint and tall profile made for an ungainly appearance. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had distinct exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for standout features. The design lacked a strong theme, unlike its competitors, and didn’t have brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive as a Cadillac.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, and could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury with a quiet and comfortable ride, and the Recharge model offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

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 3.6-litre V6, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft. Both engines were mated to 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, and the cabin was notably quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with less legroom and headroom. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited due to powertrain hardware. Despite this, Volvo incorporated clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system’s speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favourably in interior space to German luxury crossovers, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, though less than the BMW X3. It had more legroom in both rows but less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. 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 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model introduced OTA update capability, allowing updates to the infotainment system and other software-controlled functions. It lacked a start button, requiring only a key fob to shift out of park. A Digital Key feature was anticipated but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While usability improved over previous systems, it still lagged behind competitors in screen size and graphics. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not ideally placed, making them difficult to use while driving. The standard eight-speaker Bose sound system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The electric Recharge model was expected to perform well due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included a 360-degree camera and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model had an advanced sensor suite capable of future updates for more advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Safety Alert Seat was also standard. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera, and night vision. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it received a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.