Ever since inheriting the mantle from the SRX as Cadillac’s bid in the increasingly competitive compact crossover market, the XT5 has established itself as a reliable and cozy everyday SUV with a luxurious touch. Built on the same platform as the XT6 but in a two-row design, it has captured the hearts of people seeking affordable elegance. At one point, the XT5 made up nearly half of US Cadillac sales, and it continues to play a significant role in the automaker’s lineup.
Should the 2025 Cadillac XT5 be on your shortlist of new vehicles? This buyer’s guide goes over everything you should know before visiting your local dealer to find a Cadillac XT5 for sale. The short answer is that even after nine years, the Cadillac XT5 remains a strong luxury crossover. To give you a longer answer, I’ll look at the performance, interior, tech, and other important considerations when buying any vehicle and how the 2025 XT5 addresses them.
Performance: Go Easy or All-Out
Good performance isn’t the be-all-end-all in a luxury vehicle, but it certainly helps. Like the XT6, the Cadillac XT5 shares the same platform as the Chevy Blazer. This means the same engine and powertrain options—and that’s a good thing. The standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for getting to work, doing errands, or a family getaway. You can get front-wheel drive (FWD) for daily driving or all-wheel drive (AWD) to improve traction on snow, rain, and dirt roads. Interestingly, although the EPA has not released official numbers as of this writing, Cadillac claims the all-wheel drivetrain gets better fuel economy at 30 MPG on the highway.
Want some oomph to go with the Cadillac charm? A 3.6L V6 powerplant is standard on the Sport trim and available with the Premium Luxury trim. Its output reaches 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, with a relatively small drop in fuel economy. That lets you open up on the highways or back roads, lending a fun bit of brawn. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The performance tilt goes beyond the powertrain, though. FWD XT5s have three selectable modes—Tour, Snow/Ice, and Sport—to calibrate the suspension and shift points based on your driving style. The AWD XT5 replaces Snow/Ice with AWD mode and adds an Off-Road mode if you want to venture away from the proven path. Automatic chassis damping control is available with the Platinum Package that can respond to driving conditions 200 times per second, meaning instantaneous adjustments for a smoother, more agile ride. The XT5 Sport comes standard with Brembo performance front brakes to help you control the added horsepower.
Interior: Elegant and Roomy
While the Blazer is known for its sporty side, the Cadillac XT5 is all about high-end sophistication. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the five-passenger interior, which is also highly functional. Cadillac uses several premium materials to make the interior elegant and long-lasting. The Platinum Package adds leather to the seats, instrument panels, consoles, and door trim; it also adds a microfiber suede headliner, high-end carpet floor mats, and a choice of carbon fiber or wood trim. All-weather floor liners are available, and standard features include dual-zone climate control, a wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and eight-way power seat adjustments.
The 2025 XT5 is also one of the most spacious vehicles in its class. It has 41.2 inches of front legroom and 39 inches of rear legroom, plus plenty of head, shoulder, and hip space. With the second-row seats down, the Cadillac XT5 has 63 cu.ft. of cargo area, besting competitors like the Lexus RX and Porsche Macan. Even if you have a carful of people, you still get 30 cu.ft. to pack for longer trips or kids’ basketball practices—and the hands-free power liftgate makes packing easy.
Technology: Everything You Need
From the beginning, the Cadillac XT5 has lived up to GM’s reputation as being at the technology forefront. The 2025 XT5 continues the tradition with a laundry list of standard features. Each trim is equipped with:
- An eight-inch infotainment touchscreen to see and manage your connections.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with screen mirroring for music, navigation, and more.
- Four USB ports to plug in devices for charging and in-car use.
- A Wi-Fi hotspot that uses 4G LTE data for your passengers to stay connected.
- The OnStar One Essentials bundle with services such as automatic crash response, Google Maps, Amazon Alexa, and Waze. You also get three years of OnStar Premium.
- A cabin humidity sensor to ensure a comfortable environment.
- An integrated universal home remote that you can program to use with your home security system and garage door opener.
If you need more from your SUV, many other tech options are available, such as a head-up display, a multi-camera HD Surround Vision 360-degree system, Night Vision for seeing after dark, a digital rearview mirror with auto-dimming, and a rearview camera with built-in self-washing. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims come standard with a 14-speaker Bose sound system, wireless phone charging, on-board GPS navigation, and a self-powered alarm system. It’s a tech-friendly way to drive in luxury.
Safety: A Top Crossover
Drive worry-free, knowing you’re in one of the safest, best-prepared compact crossovers. The Cadillac XT5 has a five-star NHTSA crash test rating thanks to a well-thought-out design and seven standard airbags. It also comes with a host of standard safety features:
- LED daytime running lamps, headlights, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams improve visibility in all conditions.
- Front and rear parking assistance detect vehicles or objects before impact.
- Automatic Emergency Braking provides emergency stopping power at speeds between 5 and 50 mph.
- Forward collision alerts include tailgating alerts to prevent rear-ending other cars.
- Safety Alert Seat vibrates the driver’s seat in the direction of an incoming vehicle the sensors detect.
- Lane-keeping assistance helps stop you from drifting across road lines.
- Remote Start allows you to activate your ignition from a distance.
- Rear Seat Reminder gives audio and visual reminders to check the back seat for people and belongings.
- Teen Driver mode activates further safety systems and gives you a report card on how your youths are driving.
In all, more than 20 driver assistance and safety features are available, including adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic seat belt tightening, highway safety and first aid kits, and enhanced automatic breaking for speeds as low as 2 mph. There’s no question Cadillac and GM want you to spend many years behind the wheel.
A Big-Time Compact SUV
The 2025 Cadillac XT5 may be a compact crossover, but it drives larger than its size, with solid power, deceptively versatile performance, high-quality materials, and impressive tech. I haven’t even mentioned the exterior, which has features ranging from a power sunroof to automatic windshield wipers with a modern style. The body is available in an assortment of finishes with several exterior accent options to bring out the best of its sharp look.
Cadillac has experienced a massive revival in the 21st century, and the XT5 is emblematic of its new approach. This is the vehicle to buy if you want a dose of luxury performance that still has youthful energy. With an MSRP starting around $44,000, it won’t break the bank, either.
