Styling, interior refinement, and technology are the highlights of Caddy’s new crossover, with carry-over design cues from its sedan and SUV siblings to pair with its own unique touches.
The XT5 debuted at the LA Auto Show this past November with a mix of dramatic lines and muted features (like its less showy grille). Customers will be able to choose from 18 or 20-inch wheels and those fancy LED daytime running lights will be standard.
From the ground up, the XT5’s new platform cuts 278 pounds compared to the old SRX, Like the SRX, the XT5 will be offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter using a new “twin-clutch” design that can send 100 percent of its power to either the front or rear axle. The rear axle can also vector torque side to side, or decouple completely to save fuel.
In the U.S., the only powertrain option (to start) will be a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. That motor will pair with an eight-speed automatic exclusively. In China, the XT5 will be sold with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
More big changes occur inside the cabin, where high quality materials and a modern design replace the SRX’s drab fittings. Customers can choose from aluminum, carbon fiber, or wood trim to match the leather seats. Tech goodies include the Rear Camera Mirror system that debuted on the flagship CT6 sedan, wireless phone charging, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ambient interior lighting.
And for almost double the entry-level cost, buyers can fork over $62,500 for the range-topping XT5 Platinum that gains all-wheel as standard equipment and a slew of luxury and technology features.
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