Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Cadillac XT5

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, blending high-end materials, advanced technology, and a robust engine while maintaining a reasonable price. However, the cabin's design seemed more fitting for a Buick or a top-trim Chevy rather than a luxury Cadillac. Despite this, the interior layout was intuitive, offering ample space across both rows and above-average cargo capacity with 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 memorable or unique elements. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, with options for a panoramic sunroof and genuine leather upholstery in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, including standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Highlander Hybrid's design was over-styled, with exaggerated forms and dramatic sculpting that some found visually overwhelming. Inside, the cabin continued this theme with oversized elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs. However, the interior quality was questionable, with primary controls feeling inexpensive and storage areas unlined, leading to potential noise issues. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was notably quiet on the road, a testament to Toyota's focus on reducing cabin noise.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came 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 or all-wheel drive. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was in the high-seven-second range, though the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An optional V6 engine offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable companion for various driving situations. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement, with decent handling but a ride quality that suffered on uneven surfaces. The XT5's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four and FWD rated at 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.2 highway, and 9.7 combined, while the V6 and AWD combination rated at 13.1/9.5/11.5 L/100 km.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. The electric motors assisted with acceleration and allowed for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's torque was limited to 175 pound-feet, resulting in minimal high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid's towing capacity was 1,588 kilograms, though it struggled with power when fully loaded. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, with an additional Trail mode for light off-road conditions. The Highlander Hybrid's focus was on fuel economy, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system aiming to optimize efficiency. However, it returned 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation loop, slightly above the expected 6.7 L/100 km combined. The driving experience was unengaging, with soft suspension and a CVT contributing to a lack of excitement.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but Cadillac incorporated useful storage spaces, including a deep centre console bin and large seatback pockets. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the seats folded, making it competitive in its class. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor facilitated easy access to the cargo area.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, though most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making it more suitable as a two-row model. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with higher trims offering additional comforts like a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. The third-row seat was best for occasional use, with limited comfort and accessibility. The Highlander Hybrid provided 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded and 2,387 litres with the second row down. However, the centre armrest storage console design was unnecessarily complex, limiting accessibility.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, offering an intuitive interface with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions, providing a user-friendly experience. A Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation was available.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, with upper trims receiving a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. The system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Drive Connect service plan offered additional features like an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics could benefit from sharper contrast.

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 due to a "Marginal" headlight score. 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.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with higher trims gaining parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.