Used 2018 Cadillac XT5 for sale 

With a starting price of $40,595, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 is one of the most competitively priced luxury SUV. For 2018, AWD is available on all trims (even the base trim) for $4000 over the FWD model. However, the engine and transmission remain the same irrespective of the model you choose. This mid-size luxury SUV comes in four different trims, namely Standard, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum. The Standard trim comes with many standard features like an 8-way power-adjustable front driver seat, power tilt and telescopic steering column, rear vision camera, rear park assist, 18-inch alloy wheels, and Bose 8-speaker premium audio system.  The Luxury trim further adds many more features like a powered sunroof, heated side mirrors, heated steering wheel, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and memory presets for driver's seats to name a few.

The Premium Luxury trim, which comes for an MSRP of $53,095 gets even more enticing features like Bose 14-speaker audio system, ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control air conditioning, LED headlights, and 20-inch Sterling Silver alloy wheels. However, the top of the line Platinum trim gets all the features that you could think of, shaming some of the cars costing twice the price of the XT5. It comes with many interiors, exterior, and safety features like an 8-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster, 20-inch 12-spoke alloy wheels, leather-wrapped interior panels, heads-up display, surround vision, hands--free liftgate, etc.

Though the car is fully loaded with all the features that you could think of, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 also gets a lot of ridiculously priced optional extras and packages that would pinch your wallet. Hence, we recommend you to not go crazy on the optional features list. 

Which trim should I choose?

While the base XT5 is decently equipped with a lot of features as standard, the Premium Luxury trim brings amenities like Bose 14-speaker audio system, navigation support, along with many safety features like an automated emergency braking system, lane-keeping assist, and LED headlamps with automatic high beams. The other cabin features like leather upholstery and sunroof are also present to make the traveling experience even more enjoyable. We believe that the Premium Luxury trim is worth the money in comparison to the ridiculously expensive Platinum trim and the lower specced Luxury trim.

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 comes with the same 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 motor punching out close to 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The power is put down through the front wheels, however, an AWD version is also available for all the trims. This direct injection VVT V6 motor is mated to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission, which is decently quick to respond as well as is ultra-smooth in operation too.

This mid-size luxury SUV also comes with a 4-wheel independent suspension setup with active anti-roll bars on all four corners as well. Along with that, the braking hardware is impressive too, with active control brakes and all the braking features like ABS and hill hold control, helping to stop the car without any efforts.

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 came out as the most powerful mid-size luxury SUV due to the highest horsepower rating of 310 hp. In comparison, the BMW X5 and Lincoln MKX also came out with a decent horsepower rating of 302 hp and 303 hp, which is quite close to that of Cadillac. However, when it comes to the torque rating, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 gave 278 lb-ft of torque, which was slightly below the BMW X5's 295 lb-ft, due to the Beemer being a forced induction motor. Nonetheless, the Lincoln MKX and the Lexus RX350 came out with the torque rating in the same ballpark as the Cadillac XT5.

Is the Lincoln Navigator fast?

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 came out surprisingly well when it comes to outright acceleration. Put your foot down from a standstill and this behemoth SUV rewards with impressive acceleration throughout the rev range. Since this is a naturally aspirated motor, there is none of that turbo lag, which helps further in impeccable low-end performance. Even the mid-range performance was also quite superior to other naturally aspirated motors from Lexus and Lincoln. However, the motor gets strained as you approach the redline close to 6500 RPM. It also isn't the most sporty sounding car either. Though this motor is not the most involving or high revving when viewed through the eyes of a petrolhead, it is going to be a relaxing daily driver with adequate power always available with a dab on the throttle. The 8-speed automatic transmission is decently quick to react to the throttle input and would provide the correct cog most of the time. 

With a 0-60 MPH and a quarter-mile time of 6.6 seconds and 15.1 seconds, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 is quite decent for the segment when it comes to the outright acceleration on offer. However, we found out that the BMW X5 gave the best time of 6.1 seconds and 14.2 seconds, which is followed by the Lincoln MKX with 6.3 seconds and 14.7 seconds. Even though the difference is quite minimal, we felt that the BMW X5 is much more involving to drive in comparison to all the rivals in the mid-size luxury SUV segment.

How well does the Lincoln Navigator handle?

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 turned out to be one of the better handlers of the segment due to its well-balanced chassis and excellent suspension setup. The car we tested also came with the optional adaptive suspension, and we found out that the SUV had minimal body roll on offer in comparison to the Lincoln and Lexus. The adaptive suspension also helps in the reduction of the understeer, which is one of the reasons why we never managed to enjoy the cars like Lexus RX350 and Lincoln MKX. Along with that, the suspension felt quite stiff as well.

However, this underlying stiffness did turn out to be one of the biggest reasons why the 2018 Cadillac XT5 was a let down in terms of ride quality. It was the exact opposite of the ride quality that we expected from a Cadillac. The car transmitted most of the bumps and potholes to the cabin and hence it can get quite uncomfortable if you live in pothole-infested areas like Rhode Island or Oklahoma. However, this hard setup also translated to almost flat ride quality in freeways, and unmatched stability as well, all of which are quite unCadillac like. Though the steering setup of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 turned out to be quite precise and direct, we found that the setup lacked feel and feedback. However, none of the competitors are great either.

Will the Lincoln Navigator stop in time?

With the front and rear getting a massive 13.6-inch and 12.4-inch rotor setup, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 could easily shed the speed with no issues. With a curb weight of close to 3,985 lbs, we found that the car offers much superior initial bite and braking progression. The pedals also returned an impeccable feel and feedback as well, which is something we have started to miss from the SUV segment. Stomp on the brakes from high speeds and the car sheds speed with little to no effort. It doesn't feel twitchy and unstable as well while doing so. Even after prolonged hours of testing through the streets of California, we found that the brakes have zero brake fade as well. However, the nose-dive under hard braking was present.

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 gave out a decent 60-0 MPH braking distance of 128 feet, which is slightly better than the BMW X5's 129 feet. However, the Lincoln MKX gave out the best-in-class distance of 119 feet, which is followed by the Lexus RX350, which also did the same in a slightly lower distance of 123 feet in comparison to the Caddy.

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 with FWD drivetrain delivers 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. That’s impressive considering the power this mid-size luxury SUV has in reserve. Optioning the AWD trim only has a marginal 1 mpg impact on the city mpg figure. Also, the XT5 uses cheaper regular fuel instead of the premium fuel which is recommended for all the rivals. 

The fuel efficiency put forth by the Cadillac XT5 was slightly better than the competitors like the Lincoln MKX and BMW X5, both of which gave out a lower 20 MPG and 21 MPG. However, the Lexus RX350 gave the class-leading combined gas mileage figure of 23 MPG.

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 lives up to the brand's image as one of the most luxurious and opulent American automobile manufacturers. The cabin is mostly covered in soft touching leather and plastic trims, all of which looks and feels quite premium. We also loved the black and beige color theme that is adorned throughout the cabin. The ergonomics of the cabin and superior quality switches and knobs present in the steering wheel and center console also makes it quite similar to some of the European offerings, both in terms of quality and looks. However, the steering wheel looks cluttered with a seriously high number of switches.

The Cadillac XT5 interior remains pleasantly modern and upscale despite the price difference between the base Cadillac XT5 and the top end Cadillac XT5 Platinum. The major difference is, while the base XT5 get leatherette upholstery, the XT5 Luxury and XT Platinum upgrades to the real leather. The top-end XT5 platinum splurges to even more exquisite semi-aniline leather. We felt that the seats of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 were decently comfortable, with great under-thigh and lower back support too. The wide armrest also makes the journey supremely comfortable as well. However, we felt that the seats were a bit hard, especially the base of the front seats. Nevertheless, it comes with all the features like heated and ventilation support, electronic adjustability, and many more.

What we did not like about the cabin of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 is the poor headroom, legroom, and shoulder room on offer for both the front and rear-seat passengers. In comparison, all the other mid-size luxury SUVs like the BMW X5, Lincoln MKX, and Lexus RX350 gave out a more impressive cabin space making the 2018 Cadillac XT5 the least spacious cabin of the lot. 

How much cargo can you fit in the Cadillac XT5?

Tap on the automatic boot opener on the trunk door of the XT5 and you would be greeted with 30 cubic feet of storage capacity. We also loved the almost flat floor of the trunk making it quite easy to put in and take out those large airport bags. Along with that, there are 12V power outlets and underfloor and side-mounted storage sections, which further add to the versatility. Even inside the cabin, we found that there is more than enough cubby holes and storage spaces to store all the knick-knacks.

With all seats up, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 offers 30 cubic feet of luggage capacity. While that’s twice the size of the RX350's minuscule boot, competitors like BMW X5 and Lincoln MKX offer bigger capacity boot. With the seats completely folded flat, the Cadillac XT5 offers a decent capacity of 63 cubic feet. However, both the BMW X5 and Lincoln MKX offers an even more 67.7 cubic feet and 68.8 cubic feet of storage space.

What's the XT5's infotainment like?

All XT5's get 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration as Standard. This is a fluid touchscreen infotainment system with large icons and excellent touch sensitivity all of which make it very intuitive to use. The display quality is exceptional for the price as well. Along with that, the audiophiles will be happy to know that an 8-speaker Bose Audio system is standard too. This system also comes with many additional infotainment and audio system features as mentioned below:

• 8-inch touchscreen Cadillac User Experience infotainment system
• Bose Premium 8-speaker audio system
• Wireless charging
• USB ports
• 4G Wi-Fi LTE hotspot connectivity
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Steering mounted audio controls
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto

What are the highlights of the Cadillac XT5's cabin?

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 comes with even more features to take the step even further in terms of comfort and opulence on offer. Some of these features are mentioned below:

• 60/40 split seats
• Power tilt/telescopic steering column
• Remote keyless entry and ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Wood and leather interior trim pieces
• Leather upholstery
• Electronic seating adjustability
• Heating and ventilation support for the seats

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 follows the lines of the traditional Cadillac design language and that equates to being one of the most beautiful and striking mid-size luxury SUVs of the segment. The beautifully crafted front fascia with LED DRL's and the pentagonal Cadillac grille with the logo neatly etched to the middle makes it unapologetically Cadillac at first glance.

A massive air dam and protruding hood bulges do make it stand out from the sea of the bland looking SUVs that ferry on the American roads. The side profile is beautiful too, with the massive 20-inch alloy wheels and subtle fender flares. However, it is the rear that looks the best in comparison, and the rear-quarter is quite astonishing to look at. The LED taillights and twin exhaust tips with the integrated roof spoiler and shark fin antenna make the 2018 Cadillac XT5 an unmatched SUV in terms of looks. 

At 3985 pounds, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 is the lightestUV here. And at 189.5 inches, it’s the shortest too. Compared to its predecessor, the Cadillac SRX, the Cadillac XT5 gets much sharper design details and it will be a respite to those bored with the ubiquitous Japanese rivals Sand the ever more blandly designed German rivals. The 2018 Cadillac XT5 will surely get a second look from the public due to its futuristic and elegant design.

What elements make the Cadillac XT5 stand out from the crowd?

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade comes with an array of many external features that makes the car stand out from the rest of the competitors. Some of these key highlights that enhance the exterior of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 are mentioned below:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Fully galvanized steel panels
• Lip spoiler
• Front fog lights
• LED headlights
• LED taillights
• Fully automatic projector-beam setup
• Chrome inserts

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 managed to impress us with its superb built quality and strong architecture, which would help the SUV withstand accidents with ease. The car is constructed mainly in high tensile steel, and that does show. In comparison, we found that the panels of the XT5 were much tougher and stronger in feel than the likes of Lexus RX350 and Lincoln MKX. All of this did help the 2018 Cadillac XT5 to get a decent NHTSA overall crash safety rating of 4-star and a good rating in almost all the subsections of the IIHS.

Along with the excellent build quality and decent crash safety rating procured by the 2018 Cadillac XT5, we also found that the XT5 came with almost all the important safety features that you could think of. Some of these advanced active and passive safety features are mentioned below:

• Forward-Collision Alert
• Lane-Keeping Assist
• Pedestrian Detection
• Automated Emergency Braking
• Automatic High-Beam Headlamps
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
• Automatic Parking Assist
• Forward Automatic Braking

Cadillac XT5 vs. BMW X5

The BMW X5 is priced much higher than the Cadillac XT5. However, it allows you to choose from an array of much more powerful engines including the wicked X5M. The BMW X5 also feels tauter overall, along with unmatched chassis calibration, helping to plaster a smile on your face. The SUV goes like a stink, even in the bare-bones trim. The X5 was \more spacious than the XT5 too. However, BMW cannot match the level of equipment and features that comes as standard in comparison to the 2018 Cadillac XT5.

Cadillac XT5 vs. Lincoln MKX

The Lincoln MKX is at the end of its lifespan with an all-new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus taking its place. Still, the MKX makes a decent case for itself with a lower price tag, peppy motor, and a well-appointed and spacious interior. However, the MKX is short on features, and hence many of the features can only be had as an optional extra, which is exorbitantly expensive.

Cadillac XT5 vs. Lexus RX 350

The Lexus RX is one of the most cossetting luxury midsize SUVs on the market and comes loaded with plenty of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. You also get the build quality and reliability of Lexus. However, it’s pricier than the Cadillac XT5. The interior and exterior design can also not match the sheer brilliance offered by the Caddy.

The new Cadillac XT5 is a genuine alternative to some of the more expensive German and Japanese rivals with its upscaled and luxuriously appointed interior and abundant power in reserve. It will also stand out in the parking lot with its crisply designed exterior, drawing plenty of inspiration from the Cadillacs of the 60s. Even in the outright acceleration and performance on offer, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 did manage to stay close to the best of the lot, the  BMW X5. Sure, it doesn't come out as the most fun to driving offering and is not the best in terms of fuel efficiency either. However, we still think that the 2018 Cadillac XT5 is one of the best propositions in the mid-size luxury SUV segment, and hence if you could overlook some of its inherent drawbacks, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 should be high up on your watchlist.