2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of Swedish elegance and modern innovation. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its design language with other Volvo models, featuring a sleek two-box design with short overhangs and an agile form. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, complemented by the distinctive Thor's hammer LED headlights. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian minimalism, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a nod to Volvo's early adoption of large displays, and the attention to detail in the cabin, from the HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colours, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a mix of Cadillac's trademark design cues with a compact footprint and tall profile. The XT5's styling was a blend of angularity and traditional elements, with a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered different exterior styling cues, with chrome accents for the former and darker trim for the latter. Inside, the XT5's interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microfibre sueded headliner. However, the interior design lacked a strong theme, and the seats, while comfortable, didn't quite meet luxury standards. The XT5's interior space was competitive, offering more legroom than its German rivals, but the seats could have used more cushioning.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, combined a turbocharged engine with an 87-hp electric motor, delivering up to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60's plug-in hybrid capability allowed for electric-only driving up to 31 kilometres. The AWD system and torque vectoring provided excellent handling, and the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided linear power delivery and smooth shifts, making it suitable for everyday driving. 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 luxury driving, and the cabin was impressively quiet.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on safety and functionality. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, providing comfort in cold weather. The heating system effectively handled sub-freezing temperatures, and the rear glass heater and windshield defroster were particularly effective. The cabin offered smart storage solutions, and the XC60 provided 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60 was rated to tow up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space, with more front headroom than some German rivals and ample legroom in both rows. However, the seats could have been more comfortable, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient padding. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with the rear seats folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the centre console featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system's portrait orientation and gesture controls were familiar to iPad users, and the screen was divided into function quadrants for easy navigation. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 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 optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced braking features. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but its headlight and LATCH ratings were less impressive.