Cadillac XT5 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, blending high-end materials, advanced technology, and a robust engine. However, its cabin design seemed more fitting for a Buick or a high-end Chevy rather than a luxury Cadillac. Despite this, the interior layout was intuitive, offering ample space in both rows and above-average cargo capacity of 850 litres 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, lacking the modern flair seen in competitors like the Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, with options for a panoramic sunroof and genuine leather upholstery in higher trims.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid introduced a redesigned look for its sixth-generation model, featuring a more cohesive yet conventional design. This new styling gave the Forester a rugged appearance, with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin incorporated hard plastics but ensured that frequently touched areas had soft-touch materials. The front seats offered ample cushioning and support, enhanced by the hybrid's ventilation system. The rear seats, while less luxurious, were designed for durability. The Forester Hybrid's ride quality was firmer than expected, but it excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control.

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 both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The XT5's acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was in the high-seven-second range, but the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable performance, though the XT5 lacked driving excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on uneven surfaces, with noticeable cabin vibrations and noise. The XT5's fuel economy was rated at 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.2 highway, and 9.7 combined for the turbo-four with FWD, while the V6 with AWD rated at 13.1/9.5/11.5 L/100 km.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid system included two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with AWD as standard. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was. The engine emitted a monotone groan at higher speeds, noticeable mainly during aggressive driving. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and combustion power. The Forester Hybrid excelled in off-road conditions, aided by Subaru's X-Mode and hill descent control, offering a balanced performance for both urban and adventurous driving.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered practical storage solutions, including a deep centre console bin and large seatback pockets. The cargo space was generous, with 850 litres behind the second row and 1,784 litres with the rear seats folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made accessing the cargo area easy. These specs were competitive in its class, surpassing rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70 in cargo capacity.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid provided an unobstructed forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space and an open, airy feel, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, with USB ports and air vents available. The Forester Hybrid's cargo capacity was 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for easy loading. The upright tail design allowed for bulkier items, and handy hooks kept groceries secure during transit.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive, with physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation was available. The XT5's infotainment was competitive, though not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, featuring built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink system was praised for its large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons flanked the screen for temperature adjustments, while the X-Mode off-road menu was accessible with a swipe. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and multiple external camera views for off-roading.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 received top "Good" scores in all crash test areas from the IIHS, except for a "Marginal" score for headlights. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for four stars in rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" scores in most categories. The Forester Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight suite, with features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Top trims added blind spot monitoring and a surround-view monitor.