2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that blended elements from both the Cyberpunk angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It showcased Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact footprint and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, but not a particularly graceful one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had different exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5 also offered 18-inch alloy wheels as standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, while the Sport models came with 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the XT5’s interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, door trim, a microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. However, without this package, it was unclear if the XT5 met luxury-car standards. The interior design lacked a strong theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors like the Volvo XC60, Lincoln Corsair, and Genesis GV70. Despite the high-quality materials, the XT5’s interior didn’t strongly remind occupants that they were in a Cadillac.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Engine options included a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo-four and V6 engines came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with an eight-speed automatic available as an upgrade. Four-wheel drive was standard, with multiple systems available depending on the trim level. The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions offering various top and color options.

Our test vehicle, the High Tide special edition, was based on the four-door Sport S trim and included features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The High Tide also came with the Xtreme Recon package, which added a 1.5-inch suspension lift, revised shock tuning, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. Despite its nearly $60,000 price tag, the High Tide’s interior remained basic, reflecting the Wrangler’s rugged and utilitarian nature. The Wrangler’s unique driving experience, characterized by its rough ride, loud cabin, and frequent fuel stops, was part of its charm for enthusiasts.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6-liter V6, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6-equipped Premium Luxury test car felt reasonably quick, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The performance suspension with adaptive dampers, part of the optional Platinum Package, provided a comfortable and controlled ride, making the XT5 well-suited for relaxed driving.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option on the High Tide. The Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was also included. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6, but our test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg over a week of driving. The Wrangler’s driving experience was unique, characterized by its loud cabin, vague steering, rough ride, and frequent fuel stops. However, these traits were part of the Wrangler’s charm for enthusiasts who appreciated its off-road capabilities and immersive driving experience.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It had more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 also trailed all three German vehicles in rear headroom but offered more legroom in both rows. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide’s raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter or less-limber individuals. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and some soft, padded spots for arms and elbows. Visibility was mixed, with some areas offering excellent views and others requiring adjustments. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and deep but narrow center console and glove compartments. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, 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 as part of the optional Technology Package. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The XT5’s standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, which provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but our test vehicle did not have these features. Despite this, streaming Pandora and using Apple CarPlay for navigation and music provided sufficient functionality. The Wrangler High Tide also included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel as part of the Cold Weather Group.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Wrangler’s crash-test ratings were less impressive. NHTSA gave it a three-star rating for rollover resistance, and IIHS rated it Marginal in several tests, including the small overlap crash-test and side-impact test. The Wrangler’s headlight performance also received Poor and Marginal ratings.