2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful appearance while retaining its recognizable Volvo identity. The XC90 maintained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a blunt front end, but introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's design was underpinned by Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, shared with other Volvo models, and its interior embraced Swedish minimalism with high-quality materials and thoughtful arrangement, including options like wool upholstery and an Orrefors crystal shifter.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5's styling was a blend of Cadillac's trademark design cues and a compact, tall profile, resulting in a somewhat ungainly appearance. The XT5 featured a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights, but its design was less cohesive compared to its competitors. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered different exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter opting for darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5's interior, while luxurious, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive than its competitors. The optional Platinum Package enhanced the interior with premium materials, but without it, the XT5's luxury credentials were less convincing.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines, and the plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin and a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6-equipped Premium Luxury test car provided adequate power for everyday driving, with smooth power delivery and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which offered a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The XT5's steering was well-suited to luxury driving, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The cabin was notably quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. An optional power sunroof and the XC90's upright roof profile contributed to a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. It had more legroom in both rows compared to its German rivals, but less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with the rear seats folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available. The centre console included a small cubbyhole for storage, but space was limited due to the rotary controller and shifter.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. It also included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were optional. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, but the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

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 was improved, the XT5's tech offerings were less impressive than competitors. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not user-friendly. The standard eight-speaker Bose sound system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it lacked the advanced Super Cruise technology available on other Cadillac models.