Cadillac, a name once synonymous with automotive excellence and the “standard of the world,” now enters a crowded luxury crossover market with the XT4. As an automotive expert from cardiagxpert.com, I approached the Cadillac XT4, specifically the 350T model, with a blend of curiosity and cautious optimism. Having spent years diagnosing and repairing vehicles, including luxury models, I was keen to see if the XT4 lived up to the Cadillac name, or if it merely met a more contemporary, perhaps less lofty, standard.
The term “standard” itself is interesting when discussing Cadillac. While they may not officially claim to be the standard anymore, the aspiration is still there. But what kind of standard are we talking about? Is it the “sound and usable but not of top quality” standard, or the “having recognized and permanent value” kind of standard? Let’s delve into the details to find out if the Cadillac XT4 350T embodies the legacy of Cadillac, or if it falls into a more ordinary category.
Exterior Design: Modern Cadillac Aesthetics
From an aesthetic perspective, the XT4 presents a generally pleasing exterior. The front fascia is undeniably modern Cadillac, featuring the brand’s signature vertical grille, distinctive bumper, and headlights that echo the design language seen in the CT4, CT6, and XT5 models. The rear of the vehicle also maintains a strong Cadillac identity with its familiar vertical taillight design.
However, the side profile feels somewhat compromised. The rear appears abruptly cut off, creating a disproportionately small area behind the rear wheels. This design choice eliminates the possibility of a substantial side window over the cargo area, giving the XT4 a silhouette closer to a hatchback than a traditional SUV. The inclusion of a stylized, window-like extension into the C-pillar seems like a forced attempt to compensate for this design quirk.
Another common styling trend, which the XT4 adopts, is the black trim running along the lower front, around the wheel arches, and across the rear. This element is presumably intended to project an image of ruggedness and visual robustness, though its effectiveness is debatable.
The 350T Driveline: Engine and Performance
Cadillac designates the XT4 engine as the 350T. This badge signifies a turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The “350T” nomenclature is derived from the torque output, which translates to 350 newton-meters – a metric rarely used in North America, Cadillac’s primary market. The “T” naturally denotes Turbocharged.
Power from the 350t Cadillac engine is channeled through a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering power to the front wheels in standard configuration. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available, engaging via a drive mode selector. Interestingly, the AWD system can be left engaged permanently, a feature shared, to my knowledge, only with Mitsubishi in front-wheel-drive based vehicles. From a technician’s standpoint, such systems add complexity and potential maintenance points compared to full-time AWD systems.
Performance-wise, the Cadillac XT4 350T offers what can be best described as average capabilities. Acceleration is neither sluggish nor particularly brisk. Fuel economy is also in the mid-range, achieving around 30 MPG on highway driving. It’s a competent powertrain, but not one that sets any new benchmarks in the luxury crossover segment.
Ride Comfort and Handling: A Conventional Approach
Historically, Cadillac was celebrated for its exceptionally smooth and comfortable ride quality. While the advent of the performance-oriented V-series models shifted this focus somewhat, a baseline expectation of ride comfort remains. While I didn’t anticipate BMW X3 M-level handling from the XT4, a comfortable ride was certainly expected.
In typical driving scenarios, the XT4 delivers acceptable comfort. However, encountering significant potholes reveals the suspension’s limitations. Unlike some manufacturers who employ sophisticated suspension technologies to mitigate harsh impacts, the XT4’s setup feels rather conventional. From a repair perspective, this simplicity might translate to easier and potentially less costly maintenance, but it compromises the luxury ride experience.
On freeway on-ramps, the XT4 handles adequately, mirroring the performance of many contemporary CUVs. It’s difficult to highlight any standout characteristics in its handling dynamics. Vehicles like the Acura RDX, with its torque-vectoring AWD, offer a more engaging driving experience. Overall, the XT4’s ride and handling are once again, squarely in the average territory – a “standard” experience, but not an exceptional one.
Interior and Features: Where Luxury Expectations Meet Reality
Two aspects of the XT4’s interior stand out: the generous rear seat legroom and the user-friendly, feature-rich infotainment system. The availability of heated and ventilated seats with a massage function is a plus, although the massage feature itself, relying on inflating and deflating air pockets, feels somewhat rudimentary in its execution.
Notably absent as standard is a wireless phone charger, and a sunroof is offered as an option. Generally, the interior design and material quality evoke a more Chevrolet-like ambiance than a distinctly Cadillac luxury feel. In isolation, the interior might seem adequate, but when compared to competitors, even those in lower price brackets like the Mazda CX-5, it falls short. Against vehicles in its own price range, the XT4’s interior simply doesn’t measure up to the expected luxury standard.
Pricing and Market Positioning: The Value Question
The 2020 Cadillac XT4 starts at a base price of $35,695. However, opting for an all-wheel-drive model and adding typical options quickly pushes the price beyond $50,000. At this price point, a well-equipped Volvo XC60 becomes a compelling alternative. The XT4’s size is more aligned with the Volvo XC40, which even in top trims, doesn’t reach the XT4’s upper price range.
Within its American competitor landscape, Lincoln doesn’t offer a direct XT4 equivalent in size. However, the Lincoln Nautilus, while larger and more powerful, starts at a slightly higher $41,040, presenting a different value proposition in a larger vehicle class. The 350T Cadillac XT4 finds itself in a challenging position in terms of pricing and perceived value within the luxury crossover market.
Conclusion: Standard or Still Aspiring?
My initial hope was that the XT4 would represent the “recognized and permanent value” definition of a standard in the luxury crossover segment – a true “Cadillac of” small luxury CUVs. However, the Cadillac XT4 350T, while competent and usable, ultimately embodies the “sound and usable but not of top quality” definition of standard.
The XT4 gives the impression of being designed and produced with expediency, lacking the meticulous attention to detail that typically defines premium vehicles. It is precisely these details and distinctive features that elevate a car from merely “good” to genuinely “premium.”
Perhaps the resources allocated to the XT4’s development were intentionally streamlined to prioritize the design and engineering of flagship models like the new Escalade. For now, the 350T Cadillac XT4 serves as a competent, if not exceptional, entry in the luxury crossover market, leaving room for future iterations to potentially recapture the true “standard of the world” Cadillac legacy.
