2025 Cadillac XT4: A Comprehensive Review
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 is a sleek luxury crossover that expertly straddles the line between subcompact and compact segments. It offers generous passenger space while maintaining exceptional maneuverability, essential for navigating tight urban environments. Carrying over from last year’s model, the 2025 XT4 features a refreshed exterior and a striking new 33-inch curved LED screen. This mid-size SUV might be just the right fit for some, boasting appealing aesthetics, ample rear legroom, advanced technology, and a competitive price point within the luxury market.
Pros:
- Cutting-edge infotainment and safety technology
- Comfortable mid-size design
- Spacious rear seating
Cons:
- Average interior design
- Limited configuration options
- Smaller cargo space
Interior and Technology
Inside, the XT4 gets a slight update from the 2024 model, largely due to the inclusion of a 33-inch curved screen that seamlessly integrates with the infotainment and digital instrument panel. This interface, similar to what’s found in the Cadillac Lyriq, offers a customizable gauge cluster and built-in Google services. Physical toggles for HVAC controls sit below the digital display, ensuring ease of use. Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the option to upgrade to a 14-speaker AKG Studio sound system.
However, the interior design leaves much to be desired. Despite the striking new screen and some stylish touches, it feels more in line with Chevrolet’s interiors than the high-quality, detailed cabin typically expected from Cadillac. There’s an overuse of rough plastic surfaces, although most contact areas are covered in soft-touch materials.
Dimensions and Passenger Space
The XT4 sits in a unique position between subcompact and compact luxury SUVs. Measuring about six inches longer and several hundred pounds heavier than models like the Volvo XC40 and BMW X1, it’s still more compact than the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC, or Acura RDX. Its closest competitor in terms of size is likely the Lexus NX.
Thanks to its long wheelbase, the XT4 boasts impressive rear seat legroom, surpassing many larger-looking SUVs. Though not limousine-level, it offers more space than one might initially expect. Sadly, the rear seatbacks are very upright and lack a recline function, which could impact long-term comfort. Cargo space is another limitation, with only 22.5 cubic feet available behind the rear seats, expanding to a modest 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This compact cargo area makes it less ideal for transporting bulky items.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Under the hood, the 2025 XT4 houses a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range, it’s slightly lagging behind both its larger and smaller competitors, which generally complete the sprint in about six seconds.
A nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive come standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. Uniquely, the all-wheel-drive system must be manually activated but can distribute power between the front and rear and side-to-side at the rear, enhancing traction and handling.
Fuel economy ratings from the EPA for the 2025 model are not yet available, but it’s expected to align closely with previous figures: 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined for front-wheel drive, with minimal reductions for all-wheel drive versions.
Driving Experience
The XT4’s turbocharged engine may be a bit noisy at startup, but it’s impressively refined on the go, delivering both good fuel economy and adequate highway passing power. While rivals may accelerate quicker, the XT4’s performance should suffice for most drivers.
However, the driving experience is marred by non-optimal throttle and brake pedal feel. The throttle lacks precision in Tour mode and becomes overly sensitive in Sport mode. The brake pedal is rigid initially, complicating modulation. Similarly, the steering effort feels inconsistent and artificial in Tour mode, while Sport mode offers more heft without additional feedback.
Ride quality remains a strong point, particularly with the Sport models’ continuously variable damping, which adeptly absorbs road imperfections. Standard dampers also offer a balanced ride, maintaining comfort and body control without sacrificing handling.
Pricing
As of now, the Cadillac website does not have the 2025 XT4 available for configuration, but preliminary ordering guides indicate starting prices at $41,990 for the Premium Luxury trim and $42,790 for the Sport. Expect all-wheel drive to add approximately $2,500.
With the base Luxury trim eliminated, the new entry-level XT4 comes well-equipped. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED lighting, leather seats, a 33-inch LED display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power liftgate, and an active safety package with adaptive cruise control. The Sport trim offers mainly aesthetic differences, with similar standard equipment. Additional optional features include heated and ventilated front seats, power lumbar massage, heated steering wheel, rear outboard seats, wireless phone charger, and a digital rearview camera mirror.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The 2025 XT4 comes with an extensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, speed limit assist, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, surround-view parking camera, rear pedestrian alert, side cyclist alert, and front and rear automatic emergency braking.
While the IIHS has yet to update its ratings for the 2025 model, the 2024 XT4 received top marks for moderate overlap front and side crash tests. The NHTSA’s evaluation is pending, but the 2023 model earned five stars for overall safety, with four stars for frontal crashes, five for side crashes, and four for rollover tests.
Conclusion
The 2025 Cadillac XT4 remains a solid contender in the luxury crossover market, with significant strengths in technology, passenger space, and safety features. Despite some shortcomings in interior design and cargo capacity, it offers a balanced performance and ride quality that makes it a worthy consideration for those in the market for a mid-sized luxury SUV.
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