Cadillac XT5 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior materials fell short of expectations for a luxury brand, resembling those found in a Buick or high-end Chevy. Despite this, the cabin was well-organized and spacious, offering good headroom and legroom in both rows. The XT5 boasted above-average cargo space with 850 litres available behind the second-row seats, which helped compensate for its less luxurious feel. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive user experience, though this choice made the cabin feel somewhat dated. The XT5's interior was functional, with synthetic leather upholstery standard and genuine leather available on higher trims, along with features like a panoramic sunroof and heated seats in Canada.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid embraced a conservative design reminiscent of the RAV4, offering a familiar yet grander appearance. Its interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. The cabin featured glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces, but controls were logically arranged. The climate system was user-friendly, with large knobs for temperature adjustments, while the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander provided ample seating for up to eight passengers and impressive cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

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

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max offered impressive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route and 10.1 L/100 km on mountainous terrain. The Hybrid Max provided rewarding acceleration, smooth ride quality, and secure handling, though it felt large on narrow roads. Visibility was excellent, supported by available camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered practical storage solutions, including multiple phone storage spots and a deep centre console bin. The glove box was limited in capacity, but front-seat ergonomics were well-designed. Rear passengers had access to large seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,784 litres with the rear seats folded, making it competitive in its class. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor facilitated easy access to the cargo area.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating across three rows and over 2,700 litres of maximum cargo capacity. However, unlined storage areas contributed to potential noise and vibration issues. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated, providing comfort for passengers. The Grand Highlander's rear doors were long, requiring ample space for opening, which could be challenging for parents with small children. The second-row captain's chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, where adults and tall teens could sit comfortably. Cargo space behind the third row measured 586 litres, expandable to 1,640 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with the second row down, offering ample room for family trips.

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 dual-zone climate controls. The system was intuitive and responsive, with crisp graphics and smooth navigation. Cadillac retained physical buttons for climate and steering wheel controls, providing a user-friendly experience. The XT5 offered a Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation. While not as advanced as some rivals, the CUE system was more than acceptable and not overly distracting for drivers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services plans provided features like automatic collision notification, SOS emergency response, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was easy to use, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing user experience. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

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 due to a "Marginal" headlight score. The XT5 featured standard safety tech like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Driver Assist Package included enhanced automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver assistance technologies. The system included lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, though it lacked hands-free operation. Proactive Driving Assist was standard but could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and small overlap frontal-impact protection.