Since all Cadillac crossovers were of the midsize variety prior to the new Cadillac XT4, the model is the brand’s first-ever compact crossover utility vehicle. So how does it measure up to its bigger, midsize Cadillac XT5? That’s what we’ve set out to find out in this installment of the Dimensional Brief, as first seen on our sister site, Cadillac Society.
Exterior
First and foremost, the all-new XT4 has a shorter wheelbase and resulting overall length when compared to the XT5. It’s also narrower (albeit not by much) and shorter (height-wise).
The XT4’s smaller size and engine (which has two fewer cylinders than that of the XT5) enables it to be much lighter than the already-light XT5. But despite the differences in exterior and interior dimensions, weight, and powertrain, both the XT4 and XT5 have equal maximum towing capacities of 3,500 pounds (or 1,587 kilos).
Interior
Inside, both the Cadillac XT4 and XT5 seat five people in a 2/3 configuration. Interestingly, the XT4 has more headroom (in the front and rear) when compared to the XT5. And though the XT4 has less front legroom than the XT5, its rear legroom figure is identical.
Cargo Capacity
The cargo department is where the difference between the two Cadillac crossovers shows the most: the XT4 has notably less cargo volume – both with the rear seat upright and folded.
Check out the figures for yourself (in both metric and imperial forms) in the tables below, while keeping in mind that these on-paper comparisons only tell part of the story, and that a vehicle might “feel” entirely differently in person.
Dimensional Brief - 2019 Cadillac XT4 vs. 2018 Cadillac XT5 - Imperial
| Dimension | 2019 Cadillac XT4 | 2018 Cadillac XT5 | + / - XT4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior | |||
| Wheelbase (in): | 109.4 | 112.5 | -3.1 |
| Length (in): | 181.1 | 189.5 | -8.4 |
| Width (in): | 74.1 | 75 | -0.9 |
| Height (in): | 64.1 | 66 | -1.9 |
| Interior | |||
| Passenger seating capacity (front/rear): | 2/3 | 2/3 | Equal |
| Front headroom (in): | 39.4 | 38.4 | 1.0 |
| Rear headroom (in): | 38.3 | 36 | 2.3 |
| Front legroom (in): | 40.4 (44.1 max) | 41.2 | -0.8 |
| Rear legroom (in): | 39.5 | 39.5 | Equal |
| Cargo volume behind second row (cu ft): | 22.5 | 30 | -7.5 |
| Cargo volume with second row folded (cu ft): | 48.9 | 63 | -14.1 |
| Curb weight (lbs): | 3660 | 3985 | -325.0 |
| Max towing capacity (lbs): | 3500 | 3500 | Equal |
Dimensional Brief - 2019 Cadillac XT4 vs. 2018 Cadillac XT5 - Metric
| Dimension | 2019 Cadillac XT4 | 2018 Cadillac XT5 | + / - XT4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior | |||
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2779 | 2858 | -79 |
| Length (mm): | 4599 | 4813 | -214 |
| Width (mm): | 1881 | 1905 | -24 |
| Height (mm): | 1627 | 1676 | -49 |
| Interior | |||
| Passenger seating capacity (front/rear): | 2/3 | 2/3 | Equal |
| Front headroom (mm): | 1000 | 975 | +25 |
| Rear headroom (mm): | 973 | 914 | +59 |
| Front legroom (mm): | 1026 (1121 max) | 1046 | -20 |
| Rear legroom (mm): | 1004 | 1003 | Equal |
| Cargo volume behind second row (liters): | 637 | 849 | -212 |
| Cargo volume with second row folded (liters): | 1384 | 1784 | -400 |
| Curb weight (kg): | 1660 | 1808 | -148 |
| Max towing capacity (kg): | 1587 | 1587 | Equal |
- Dimensional figures provided by manufacturer
- XT4 numbers details:
- Figures are preliminary and are subject to change the XT4 figures:
- Width excludes outside rearview mirrors
- Weight used is estimated and for FWD Luxury (base) model
- Height includes roof rails
- Towing capacity figures include available towing package
- XT5 numbers details:
- Weight used is for XT5 FWD model (base)
Comments
I used the Encore as a measure for the XT4. What measurements would a Caddy owner demand if sitting in an Encore? My guesses were: definitely longer (more suitcase room!), a touch wider (for wider older American butts), and the interior height is plenty high… but add an inch BECAUSE Cadillac.
Length — 168 to 181 (13 desperately needed inches)
Width — 71 – 74 (that two inches per American butt)
Height — 65 to 64 (they took an inch away! But as people get older they shrink, so THERE)
Dont forget our wide Canadian butts too.
Well you people are stuck inside most of the year on a couch. In America it’s because potato chips but for y’all it’s because it’s frickin’ cold.
Hey — the MIrage Hotel in Vegas. In May though August. Throw a playing card in the air at the pool and a smiling Canadian will catch it.
Oh wow, the XT4 is bigger than I thought & packaged more efficiently than the bigger XT5.
Packaged slightly differently is more accurate. Good head and leg room for the smaller XT4, but it lacks the larger cargo room of the XT5.
The XT4 is more efficient, so IceDree is accurate. Overall interior volume is down “less” than the reduction of the overall volume of the exterior.
I have considered that the XT4 and XT6 will live on and the XT5 May move away at some point.
The XT6 looks like the size of my Acadia not the Traverse. It also has a third row wher the 5 does not.
With the 5 it was a carry over from pre JDN. But now with the new change the 5 could linger on.
I expect a Traverse size CUV at some point.
They won’t have the guts to walk away from fighting the RX – a function that should have been transferred to Buick long ago. Hence, the 5 will stay as long as Cadillac’s strategy is to compete with Lexus and Infiniti in the crossover race, rather than with Mercedes and BMW.
Many luxury automakers do extremely well selling several two-row crossovers in various sizes. For instance, Lexus does wonderfully selling the NX and RX side-by-side. Both have two rows of seating. The new UX will slot under the NX as the subcompact offering and also only offer two rows. So that’s three crossovers with two rows of seating, selling side-by-side, and at record volumes (UX not yet on sale, but there’s reason to believe it will be highly popular). Lexus also recently introduced the RX-L to satisfy dealer upheaval over a lack of three-row Lexus crossovers, but the product is extremely compromised from a space and usability standpoint.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz also do extremely well selling six versions EACH of two-row crossovers:
BMW: X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, and X6 – all have two rows, all sell very well in their respective segments.
Mercedes: GLA, upcoming GLB, GLC, GLC Coupe, GLE, GLE Coupe – all also have two rows, and sell very well, just as much.
So as much as I’d love to see Cadillac move away from its current crossover strategy of offering front-drive-based crossovers that provide for a forgettable driving experience (when compared to the competition), I don’t think that’s gonna happen until the introduction of VSS-R. And by that logic, I don’t see the XT5 going anywhere, since the XT4 and XT5 both sit at the sweet-spot of the size/price/features spectrum of the non-performance luxury crossover sector.
Just as well, the XT6 will be closer to the Traverse in size than to the XT5 and Acadia. The camo hides it well, but it will be “midsize plus” in size – bigger than the XT5/Acadia and slightly smaller than the Traverse/Enclave… but creeping up on being 200 inches in length. Last I heard, GM/Cadillac program planning are still trying to make up their minds about whether or not to make an Omega-based full-size crossover to rival the X7, GLS-Class and whatever full-size crossover Lexus will introduce (LX replacement) as well as Audi (rumored Q9).
The XT5 is Cadillac’s best selling model, so why kill it? If the foreign brands can sell several model sizes, so can GM. I find the smaller XT4 cargo space ideal, sinec I doubt anyone here uses much of their cargo area in a year. If I have to carry more cargo, I can rent a Colorado for that day and save money from buying a bigger Cadillac which will be empty most of its use.
No one said they are walking away. The Acadia is about the same size and is offered in two and three rows. Giving the option could give people the choice.
They are just playing with inches.
As of the changes this week everything could be on the table again.
Looking at the numbers, Cadillac’s XT4 seating is virtually identical to that of the XT5 and with towing capacity being the same, the only real difference between the XT4 and XT5 is a smaller cargo capacity which makes the XT4 a real bargain; everything you love about the XT5 in a smaller footprint and at a $7K discount in price.
Perhaps the next generation XT5 will grow slightly to create more size difference between it and the XT4. If the XT6 is going to be the size of the Traverse there is quiete a bit of room for the XT5 to grow a bit.
I’m more interested in how many pre-orders Cadillac is getting on XT4. I have no doubt the XT4 will do well in volume but how much compared the XT5 will be interesting to see.
Thanks for the comparative insight regarding the XT4 and XT5. I’m considering purchasing one the models as a trim down from my current Toyota Sequoia. There is something attractive about a Cadillac. It’s classy, elegant and sexy.
Ms. DLM
Does anybody realize the XT4 requires premium gas only! You pay more per gallon for not a whole lot more mileage.
Also if you price out a XT4 with XT5 options the price gets to be within a few thousand of the XT5. It will cost you $3300 to go to leather in the sport model?
Hmmmm, from what I just read, the XT4 takes regular leaded fuel, but they do recommend premium for better performance, whatever that means. time and time again i’ve seen reports that show there is no difference between the two. Maybe the XT4 burns premium better…I don’t know. But regardless, if I get mine, it’ll be run on regular
Why does the XT4 legroom get specified as “Front legroom (in):
40.4 (44.1 max).” What does 44.1 max mean? Isn’t legroom always measured as Max? Why the 2 numbers?
Brilliant blog…