2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Toyota Venza

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, 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, failing to make a statement like its competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV that stood out with its sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical Toyota. Its unusual shape, with a tapering rear roofline, avoided the weak appearance of other "coupe-like" SUVs. The Venza’s contoured body was a departure from the typical Toyota design, with harmonious curves reminiscent of a Mazda. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4 but elevated the cabin with nicer materials and details, approaching Lexus's level of luxury. The Venza was considered one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup, offering a cohesive and graceful design both inside and out.

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 provided a reasonably quick performance with smooth and quick shifts, and the optional Platinum Package added a "performance suspension" with adaptive dampers, enhancing the luxury driving experience with excellent body control and a quiet cabin.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The power was delivered through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels, with a separate electric motor powering the rear wheels for standard all-wheel drive. The Venza's acceleration was respectable, reaching 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds. The hybrid system provided seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power, and the regenerative braking system was smooth. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling, making it suitable for easy and calm transportation.

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 provided more legroom in both rows but trailed in rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions and a need for more cushioning 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. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space for taller occupants, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof, standard on the Limited trim, could turn opaque at the touch of a button. The rear seats were spacious with abundant legroom, though headroom was limited. The Venza offered 816 litres of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. It was not rated for towing, but it excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin.

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 optional Technology Package. While usability was improved, the tech was merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were cumbersome, with a rotary controller and poorly placed capacitive touchpads. The standard eight-speaker Bose sound system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, offering excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and above offered a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics and quick responses. The XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services, activated by saying "Hey Toyota." The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims, providing punchier bass and improved sound quality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included 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 NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.

The 2023 Toyota Venza earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and was named a Top Safety Pick by IIHS. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The XLE added parking sensors and reverse automatic braking, while the Limited trim featured a surround-view camera and digital rearview mirror. The safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported.