Cadillac XT5 vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior materials and design fell short of expectations for a luxury brand. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, seemed more fitting for a Buick or a high-end Chevrolet. Despite these shortcomings, the XT5 offered above-average cargo space with 850 litres available behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the XT5 feel more intuitive compared to rivals that opted for all-touch interfaces. However, this choice also contributed to a somewhat dated cabin feel. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, with options for synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof that enhanced the cabin's airy atmosphere.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The Bolt EUV body style returned, prioritizing utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The interior underwent a more significant makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, though touchpoints had thin padding. The RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. Despite its econobox-like footprint, the Bolt provided ample headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor that benefited centre-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 459 litres, with additional storage options available.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in the high-seven-second range. An available V6 engine delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, but the XT5 lacked driving excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with noticeable cabin noise and vibration. The XT5's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four and FWD achieving 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.2 highway, and 9.7 combined. The V6 and AWD combination returned 13.1/9.5/11.5 L/100 km city/highway/combined.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and rare earth mineral usage. A motor from the Chevy Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high brake regeneration settings. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and road noise was more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's low centre of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. It offered up to 422 kilometres of range on a full charge, with a charging speed increase to 150 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% recharge in 25 minutes.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but Cadillac incorporated useful storage spaces. The centre console storage bin was deeper than anticipated, and front-seat ergonomics were good. Rear storage was less generous, but passengers had access to large seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the seats folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made access easy. These specs were generous compared to rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's driving position was more upright, with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescopic steering wheel extension. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor benefiting centre-seat passengers. The Bolt offered 459 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and release latches were easily accessible. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, but some Android Auto features were integrated. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was easy to use, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped drivers find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It received a "Marginal" score for headlights and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

Crash test results for the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt were not available at the time of writing, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on the 2023 Bolt EUV platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and more. GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system was available for an additional cost.