2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling, positioned between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional aesthetics of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered distinct exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, leaving little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler offered a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, with buyers choosing between the classic two-door or more practical four-door body style. The Wrangler provided a variety of powertrain options, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline-powered V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler’s design was complemented by its off-road capabilities, with multiple 4WD systems available depending on the trim level. The High Tide model, based on the Wrangler Unlimited Sport S trim, added features like LED exterior lighting, a body-colour hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield. Despite its higher price point, the Wrangler’s interior remained basic, emphasizing durability and functionality over luxury, with features like floor drain plugs for easy cleaning.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: 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, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided a smooth and linear power delivery, with quick shifts from the transmission, 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 to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin remained impressively quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. It was equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system, ideal for slippery road conditions. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler’s fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 14.0 L/100 km over a week of driving. The Wrangler’s driving experience was unique, characterized by its loud cabin, vague steering, and rough ride, which were all part of its charm for enthusiasts. The Wrangler offered an immersive experience, engaging all senses and providing a sense of freedom and adventure, albeit with some compromises in comfort and refinement.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, though less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows, although it trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were comfortable but not quite up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions in the front and a need for more cushioning in the rear. The XT5 excelled in cargo space, offering 850 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler posed challenges for entry and exit, especially with a raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required frequent re-adjustment due to its placement. The seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery, and the interior featured plastic and rubber materials with some padded spots for comfort. Visibility varied, with some areas offering excellent views and others requiring adjustments, such as leaning forward to see overhead traffic lights. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry challenges but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Cargo space was generous, with 898 litres behind the rear seat and 2,050 litres with the rear seat folded, accessible through a tailgate that swung from left to right.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. While usability had improved, the tech still lagged behind other luxury brands in terms of screen size, graphics, and voice recognition. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were cumbersome, with a rotary controller and haphazardly placed buttons. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5’s quiet interior.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler, based on the Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While it lacked the optional Uconnect infotainment system with a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen, the basic tech sufficed for most needs. The larger system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, bundled with an Alpine premium audio system. Despite wind noise affecting Siri’s effectiveness, the Wrangler included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, extending the open-air driving season.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came equipped with standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Safety Alert Seat, a Cadillac hallmark, vibrated when a warning system was triggered. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package offered a rear pedestrian alert function, surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler included both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group, adding features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Despite these features, the Wrangler’s crash-test ratings were less impressive. The NHTSA gave it a three-star rating for rollover resistance, and the IIHS rated it “Marginal” for protection in the left front small overlap crash-test evaluation and a new side-impact test. Headlight performance was rated Poor for standard headlamps and Marginal for LED upgrades, making safety a concern for potential buyers.