Why the 2023 Cadillac XT4 Doesn’t Live Up to Its Good First Impression
The 2023 Cadillac XT4 might turn heads with its bold styling and luxurious features, but it falls short of its promise upon closer inspection. While Cadillac has improved the XT4’s interior design and technology, it still has significant drawbacks. Here’s why the 2023 Cadillac XT4 doesn’t live up to its good first impression.
The 2023 Cadillac XT4 gets a lower score
The 2023 XT4 is a subcompact luxury SUV with a spacious interior, distinctive styling, and modern infotainment features. However, it fails to impress in several aspects, including performance, ride quality, noise levels, and standard features. Thus, Edmunds gave it an overall 6.9/10, based on its expert rating and consumer reviews.
According to Edmunds, the Cadillac XT4 has ample power for quick passing maneuvers but is slow off the line and gets winded at higher speeds. The steering lacks feel, and the transmission is often “slow-witted.” The braking and handling are average at best. The ride is busy and uncomfortable for a luxury SUV, and the cabin fills with substantial engine and road noise. In addition, some controls are confusing, and many luxury features one would expect to be standard are optional.
On the positive side, the XT4 has relatively roomy seating, decent cargo space, and a sharp-looking infotainment system that’s quick and easy to operate. The 2023 model also has more standard safety features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
Why the XT4 doesn’t live up to its good first impression
The 2023 Cadillac XT4 earns favorable reviews from Edmunds reviewers, who praise its roomy interior, appealing styling, and cutting-edge infotainment system. However, upon closer scrutiny, the SUV could have met expectations in several key areas.
In particular, the XT4’s performance, ride quality, and standard features are lackluster. Despite having sufficient power for passing, the SUV struggles to get up to speed and lacks the agility expected from a luxury vehicle. The transmission is often slow to respond, and the steering is uncommunicative. Additionally, the ride is rough and uncomfortable, and the cabin is noisy due to excessive engine and road noise.
Furthermore, some controls are confusing to use, and many features that should be standard in a luxury vehicle are optional extras.
Although this SUV has a few strengths, such as its roomy interior and user-friendly infotainment system, its flaws ultimately outweigh its positives.
How does the 2023 Cadillac XT4 stack up against the competition?
The 2023 Cadillac XT4 packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth shifts and paddle shifters for manual control. The XT4 comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available on all trims for an extra $2,500.
The XT4’s engine provides adequate performance for everyday driving and is quicker and more refined than some rivals. In Edmunds testing, the XT4 Sport took 7.6 seconds to reach 60 mph — 1.9 seconds slower than the BMW X1 and 0.2 seconds faster than the Audi Q3. The Mercedes-Benz GLA-class is even faster, with a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.8 seconds for the base model and 5.1 seconds for the AMG model.
The 2023 XT4 provides a spacious and comfortable interior for up to five passengers. However, four adults might find it more comfortable on longer journeys. With ample headroom and legroom in both rows, the SUV also offers a decent cargo space of 23 cubic feet behind the back row, expanding to 49 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
That capacity is average for its class, but some rivals provide more flexibility. For example, the BMW X1 has a slightly larger cargo area of 26/57 cubic feet, while the Audi Q3 has a sliding and reclining rear seat that allows for increased legroom or cargo space as needed.
