The 2016 Cadillac CT6 is an important product in a branding sense, but the 2017 Cadillac XT5 is really the more important launch between the two. The XT5 arrives at a time when crossover sales are hot, and luxury market share is up for grabs between quite a few brands.
The 2017 XT5 will be right on time, arriving in a few short months, and Cadillac has fired up the crossover’s online configurator. As promised, the XT5 will start at a compelling $39,990 in base trim with front-wheel drive. For those looking for all-wheel drive, stepping up to the luxury or platinum trim will be required.
We decided to see how far we could take Cadillac’s luxury crossover, so we got to work building our own, daring greatly with out pseudo checkbook.
We selected the platinum trim, which arrives with the works including the Ultra View sunroof, rear camera mirror, surround vision and a heads up display among plenty of other goodies. We chose the premium Red Passion Tintcoat, an extra $500, and continued on our way.
Next we selected the Driver Assist package to the tune of $2,340, which includes front and rear automatic braking, automatic park assist, adaptive cruise control and more. Finally, after glancing over the remaining options, all quite unnecessary if you ask us, we came to our grand total: $66,335 for an optioned out, packed to the gills 2017 XT5 Platinum.
Honestly, that’s not so bad. The content present in the XT5 may far outweigh the value proposition when comparing it to certain German rivals. And that’s exactly what Cadillac is hoping for with the XT5. Head to the link here to build your own example of XT5.
Comments
Looks much bolder the outgoing SRX
I like the xt5 but there is some things i do not like…
1) the overall available customization of it is sub-par compared to competitors and there is a lack of colors for both the exterior and interior
2)You shouldn’t have to buy the platinum to get a decent looking gauge cluster
3) The roof rack looks so bad i cant think of adjective to describe it and having one would be a necessity for me
4)The bump to get AWD is 9k which is outrageous and will probably diminish its sales in the northeast(one of the larger markets for luxury crossovers)
I like the Xt5 and think it is an elegant design but other aspects of it do not match the competition from Germany.
One has to think that the LED headlight treatment is something we should expect as you see it on the new CT6 and now in the XT5; but you sort of hope Cadillac will offer the LGW 404 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6 from the CT6 available for the XT5.
I expect the CT6 hybrid drive unit (derived from the Chevy Volt) and battery back will be in the XT5 so I can buy a plug-in hybrid CUV.
The only thing I don’t like is that the beltline down slopes and the front is vary stubby with its oversized grill and badge but the rest is nice and bold.
$9,000 extra for AWD??? That’s crazy! Lexus RX350 is like $1,300 extra for AWD. Does Cadillac resize how many people who need AWD in snow will avoid the XT5?
Just like the CT6, Cadillac’s XT5 could do with a bit more grunt as the LF3 or LGW 404 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6 would be a great fit and fuel economy shouldn’t suffer much and if Cadillac is really worried about fuel economy.. they can do what Cadillac does in China which is offer the XT5 with the LTG 265 hp turbocharged 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl engine.
The very fact Porsche is offering a Macan with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo should make Cadillac consider offering the LTG 265 horsepower 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl Turbo as the entry level engine for the XT5; imagine if Cadillac could offer the FWD with LTG for $2,500-3,000 less could mean a BIG incentive for buyers.