2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, 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 slightly different 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 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, presenting a stately midsize SUV just shy of 5 metres long. The exterior styling was complemented by 22-inch alloy wheels on the Prestige trim, and the matte Brunswick Green paint job added an elegant touch. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats, split dash with horizontal air vents, and a centre console with three large dials created a luxurious atmosphere. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch, setting it apart from other luxury manufacturers. Despite a minor quibble with the 14.5-inch infotainment screen’s placement, the interior was spacious and luxurious, providing a comfortable and elegant environment.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a standard 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 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, available on the XT5 Sport and optional on the Premium Luxury, provided a reasonably quick driving experience 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 to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, it excelled at highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a smooth and quiet highway commute. However, the GV80’s acceleration to 100 km/h in about five and a half seconds was slower compared to some competitors, and its handling felt less precise than its German rivals.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered favourable 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 also provided more legroom in both rows, although less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more cushioning, especially in the rear. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC, but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a plethora of features and luxury touches. Standard features in Canada included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. The tester featured ventilated front and rear seats with an Ergo driver’s seat, offering a unique fatigue-reducing function. Nappa leather seats added to the luxurious feel. While a third row was available, legroom was limited to 76 centimetres, making it suitable only for children. The GV80 offered a large cargo space, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Towing capacity was a robust 2,720 kilograms. Additional features included Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, a digital key, tri-zone climate control, a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, a suede headliner, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 was improved over previous systems, the tech remained merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the 3D effects seemed gimmicky, the standard head-up display projected information into the driver’s field of view. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach for touch use, and the dial, though tactile, was cumbersome for navigation. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, though not wirelessly, along with wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet. The GV80 also featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to maneuver in and out of tight spaces without the driver inside.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features such as 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, which vibrated when a warning system was triggered, was also standard. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, rear pedestrian alert, a 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 received a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist and follow, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the car’s blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist used various systems to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid, though it struggled in bright sunlight. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a “Good” rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, with a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention.