2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

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 trims 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, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for standout features, lacking a strong design theme or brand-specific markers.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including a gloss black front bumper trim and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. The ID.4, while clearly an EV, did not possess the traditional SUV profile, lacking the upright stance and ground clearance that typically attract SUV buyers. Built on VW’s MEB platform, the ID.4 shared a minimalist interior design with recent VW gasoline models, offering a quality feel. The interior space was generous, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibres as standard. Despite its EV nature, the ID.4 maintained a familiar driving experience, with a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options. The base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6-litre V6, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, produced 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, enhancing the ride quality for relaxed driving. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model, available only with rear-wheel drive (RWD). The Pro model retained the 82-kWh battery pack, offering both RWD and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4’s AWD version offered acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks but lacked the handling prowess. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience, allowing coasting in the default setting and stopping short of one-pedal driving.

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 but fell short in rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but could have used more cushioning, especially in the rear. Cargo space was generous, with 850 litres available with the rear seats up 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.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more front and rear legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. Cargo capacity was substantial, with 858 litres with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a capacity of 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kilograms for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

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 improved over previous systems, the tech remained adequate, lacking the sophistication of 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, delivering excellent sound quality.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard across all models, with software updates enhancing responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The user interface offered sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, though the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, adding a unique touch to the driving experience.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Safety Alert Seat was also standard, vibrating when a warning system was triggered. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking, while the Technology Package offered additional features like rear pedestrian alert and night vision. The XT5 received top 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 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. While IIHS ratings for 2023 were not available, the 2022 model earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The ID.4 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.