We’ve already shared all kinds of pictures and images of the 2019 Cadillac XT4, but we have yet to see Cadillac’s newest crossover on the streets – which is exactly what we have here for you today.
Spotted by our friends at Cadillac Society as it was undergoing validation testing in metro Detroit, this XT4 is equipped in the Luxury trim level, which is the base equipment group for the XT4, and is proudly wearing the Red Horizon Tintcoat color (code GPJ).
The front end features a grille with bright accents and galvano surround as well as an all-black lower fascia insert. Had this been the XT4 Premium Luxury, then it would have had the same grille but with a silver insert on the lower front fascia. And if it had been the XT4 Sport, then it would feature a glossy black grille and equally glossy black lower fascia insert.
Two other features differentiate the base Luxury trim from the higher-end models:
- The side mirror does not have an integrated turn signal indicator, which is part of the optional Enhanced Visibility Package on Premium Luxury and Sport models. By contrast, the package is not available on base Luxury trim.
- Despite all XT4 models being included with LED headlights, the vertical light signature on the base Luxury trim ends about halfway through the light cluster. Located below the vertical light pipe is an incandescent turn signal. By contrast, the vertical light signature extends lower within the headlamp cluster while doing double-duty as an LED cornering lamp and a turn signal indicator on the Premium Luxury trim level (when equipped with the Technology Package) and on the Sport trim level (as standard).
The side profile features three elements specific to the base model XT4:
- The 18-inch, 10-spoke Bright Silver alloy wheels (RPO code PYV), which are available exclusively on the XT4 Luxury/base trim.
- The door body color door handles with Satin chrome accents, are exclusive to the XT4 Luxury/base. XT4 Premium Luxury models feature illuminated body-color door handles with a conspicuous cut-out for illumination, which is not present on the model seen here, while XT4 Sport models are equipped with body-colored door handles without either the Satin chrome accents or the cut-out for the illuminating feature.
- The lower bodyside appearance features the same all-black finish as the lower front and rear fascias. By comparison, Premium Luxury models feature a Medium Silver accent, while Sport models have a gloss black finish.
Other notable elements include the brushed aluminum window surround, which is standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models. XT4 Sport models swap the shiny bits for gloss black.
In addition, this model is equipped with longitudinal roof rails finished in brushed aluminum (RPO code V6K). These rails are optional on the Luxury/base trim, and opting for them also adds the dual panel glass power sunroof (RPO code C3U). Premium Luxury models include the roof rails standard, while Sport models include gloss black rails as standard.
The only feature that distinguishes this model as the (base)Luxury trim at the rear is the all-black lower rear fascia. Premium Luxury models are differentiated by a Medium Silver strip, while Sport models feature a gloss black lower rear fascia.
The Luxury and Premium Luxury models feature the LED taillamps seen here, while Sport models get LED rear lights with clear lenses. All models feature the hidden rear window wiper disguised beneath the roof-mounted spoiler.
More On Cadillac XT4
The 2019 XT4 will start at $35,790 (including destination) when it goes on sale this fall. The vehicle will be assembled at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City. Customers can now place their orders for Cadillac’s first-ever compact crossover SUV.
More information about the 2019 Cadillac XT4 is available at the following links:
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Pictures
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Order Guide
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Platform
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Powertrain
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Specifications
Comments
The front over done black cladding has to go. This is a Luxury class vehicle.
Come on GM
Yeah, the other two trim levels are different. We just caught up to them, stay tuned for pics.
I have a 2009 Chevy Equinox that has color bumpers matching the body. Older Equinox models did have dark gray bumpers and look bad, especially on the white or lighter color body. I expect GM and Cadillac to change this and have all bumper molding with the same body color.
Oddest thing about the base model: only one interior color option. Light Platinum with Jet Black Accents. There should at least be an all black option. They’re limiting their market and forcing buyers to move up to the next trim. We’ll have to see if shoppers are willing to move up.
Holy crap, GMA was mentioned on qanon.pub ! Not a huge mention but a mention nonetheless. 7 million plus views per month on that site so it cant hurt.
qnon is fake news. Get a life! It preys on the gullible uniformed. -Look behind your back!.. -They’re watching you too!
The fact that the bottom half of the front end is literally just a piece of grey plastic makes this thing look like an April Fools joke.
Also, is the lower half of the vertical day time running lights not LEDs on the base version?
Seems like a horrible decision to take away a defining characteristic of the brand.
Sorry, Cadillac, but you still dont get it. Even the brand new boring Q3 looks more exciting than this bs… People say its not JDN’s car.. ok. I’ll wait for the CT5. If Ct5 fails, I’ll never look at this brand again. I’m tired of the waiting game…
Yep we are in the same boat. Currently driving ATS 2.0T AWD. Already test drove the Audi A4. Just waiting for the CT5 and If it isn’t any better than this low HP FWD Chevrollac, we are also out, after owning 5 Cadillacs.
True. Let’s hope.
You could pay for the upper trim. After all, who buys a base model Caddy.
Only someone who should have purchased an LT Chevy.
There’s a great slogan for Cadillac:
“Cadillac: because only losers buy our base models!”
What loser buys a base model luxury anything? Go buy a Yugo if you want top of the line.
You just want to bash GM. Go to GMI, that is the only thing they do over there.
Then maybe Cadillac shouldn’t sell base models.
There will always be a base model of everything… and for a base model, this XT4 is actually not that bad. If you don’t get hung up on the fascia (which looks decent in person and the two upper level models look even better), the car is pretty good.
It offers more value than most of the other segment contenders, which is had of the battle.
Now, can they improve the fascia? Yes.
Should this model have been on the alpha/alpha 2 platform? Yes.
But this xt4 will pave the way for both of those items.
Finally a person with a realistic view of how cars are put together! Base models should look like this, so there is a reason for the buyer to decide to purchase a higher trim.
Why is this so hard for people to understand?
Thats all they do here too.
It’s not just Cadillac, it’s across the board, all of GM’s latest designs are either horridly bland or flat-out ugly. Just look at those big black plastic grills on the new Chevys, they look like the work of a first year art school student. If this is the new direction then GM’s future is hopeless.
Style sells. Conversely, if a car is ugly then it doesn’t matter how great the chassis/powertrain is, it will sit in the showrooms.
This is a sink or swim moment for GM. Barra needs to hire new real artists for GM’s design studio, and she needs to ensure their freedom to design gorgeous cars. This isn’t rocket science, most auto companies figured it out last century!
The big grilled remind of the Toyota Camry, that looked as if it’s mouth was wide open. The Chevy Cruze, and Malibu all look horrible compared to the 2018’s because of the bigger grille.
Agreed. Especially the Camaro’s front end, what a disaster zone. It was great before, I don’t see why they had to bugger it up with all that cheap-looking black plastic.
Seems you have missed the gaping maw on any Toyota product. Or the rear of the Camry with its ‘weeping eyes’ trim. You know, like the muck in the corner of a Dogs eye. Real obvious on a white model with the black eye muck trim.
How about the beached whale look of the Infiniti abomination? You approve? The Model 3 Tesla is ugly. Do you like it?
Looks are subjective chief. You really should stop with the bloviating.
Looks are not entirely subjective. There is good art and bad art. You’re free to paint a picture and declare it superior to Van Gogh or Rembrant, but that doesn’t make it good art. And just because your neighbor paints even uglier stuff doesn’t make yours any better.
What you just said in the first sentence is superficial. For example if the majority of people think this product looks better than the competitor, it does not mean that it is better. All purely subjective. By the end of the day, people that own something based on looks or whatever wins and does not matter what other people think.
Any other car and I’d agree but the front of the new Q3 is awful. Easily a contender for the worst looking Audi of all time.
Sorry, but this cheap looking car with a lot of plastic, any dynamic line design, no Escala influence but the same caddy style is not what younger costumers needs. Just another generic product with a zero wow factor. Cash cow for GM directed to somebody who is fan of new SUV mania.
It may not be much of a cash cow. I’m sure it’s a better truck than it looks but how many will say that?
I agree with the sentiment of the others on this post. This thing does not even faintly whisper “luxury”. It’s boring (like most crossover/SUVs), and has oceans of cheap plastic that will fade, as UV rays destroy it. It looks CHEAP!!
Terrible.
Cadillac, you can do better. Please, GM!
All that black plastic cladding reminds me of a Pontiac I used to drive, and not in a good way.
Looks pretty good. I like it
Damn! The GM red, 18s & the plastic molding aren’t doing the XT4 any favors.
Cadillac must offer a sporty bodywork as an alternative. Everyone is doing it … Even Lexus. You know how bad you’re when Lexus beats you in something like this?
Every. Single. Lexus. is hideous. Full Stop.
Try again please.
If I remember correctly when this model was first announced and the specs were posted it was basically a shortened version of the XT5 loosing a foot + in length with a comparable reduction in CF storage, nearly 4k in curb weight not far off the XT5 curb weights ,clearly the term “compact” is loosely used to define this vehicle. I have a 2011 SRX with 55k and I see no advantage to trading in for this version. JMO
Smaller = lighter, more efficient, better handling and performing. Make one 2.0T version for fuel efficiency, then for the Premium drop in the LGW V6TT, and squeeze the V8TT into the V. Then fix the styling with a quick response design team from outside of GM.
GM won’t be able to build enough.
Different trims levels. luxury base, sport model, premiunm luxury, platinum models
GM is not alone the newest Toyota Avalon sports a massive black plastic grill/grid from fender to fender.
Yeah but at least Toyota uses Shiny plastic. Looks more elegant. This could be an Isuzu. That’s how awful that Black plastic looks.
Looks like a rental.
Wonder what the thinking is behind showing the worst first, instead of a higher trim level.
Impatience, maybe?
Sorry. Shoulda waited.
Hi, down voters.
Just guessing that someone’s leaked, mobile phone shots of the xt4 base model wasn’t what GM had planned.
The proportions look better than expected.
But I don’t think this trim level should exist. Those wheels don’t look good with anything, and something needs to break up the black trim up front.
Only “Life long GM…” expressed a thought that mirrored my first impression. Isn’t this really a Chev Equinox that somebody tweaked a bit? And since the Equinox is a very popular car whose owners swear by, why both with this XT4?
This is in no way related to the equinox.
Think my Equinox has less ugly gray plastic!
If you dont like the gray plastic then why don’t you have it painted the color of the vehicle?
Why is it the responsibility of the manufacturers to do all of the work for you?
Can you do some of the custom work yourself?
Some people are just lazy!
We shouldn’t have to paint the plastic, simply because of GM’s poor ethics decisions. If you’re shilling out a minimum of 35K, it shouldn’t look like you purchased a damn Chevy Trax for only 22k
Exactly what I thought! Lazy! Cheap!
Alex, what GM drivetrain is this closest to. Equinox or Terrain. Or am I missing something.
This body is not related to the Equinox at all, except that it has four wheels. I have a 2009 Chevy Equinox and I will upgrade to the Cadllac XT4 in the future.
Sheep are running rampant.
What exactly invokes ‘Equinox’ in these photos?
Low HP 2.0T 9 speed FWD. Cant you get a higher HP Equinox. Ill go to GM.com and be back.
Yep Equinox 252HP-260 Ft Lbs. XT4 237HP-258 Ft Lbs. Sure no big deal, but isn’t the Equinox lighter. So you pay more in the Cadillac for less right out of the box, and Equinox is the second lowest GM SUV I think. So at GM it goes Chevy Trax, Cadillac XT4, Chevy Equinox. Makes you feel great you own a Cadillac when a Chevy Equinox goes by you with ALL the options of your Cadillac and more HP. O thats right its not a Cadillac though.
Part of the highlight of my day, other than your brilliant, original and NEVER repetitive comments, is watching all the moms line up for the “CUV afterschool drag races”…….
Looks cheap not premium. Why has GM set the bar so low for this vehicle ? I don’t get it. The all new 2.0 Turbo makes far less power than my 2014 2.0T in my – – – BUICK. What’s up ?
You people do realize that this is the entry level Cadillac trim for this crossover? You have zero perspective! Having a entry level model with limited options makes people want the higher trims! So making a decision about this car based on this is ridiculous! Reaction is over the top as always on this site.
I had one person tell me the that they dont like looks of a work truck Silverado. Hello it’s a work truck, entry level truck!
Check out entry level BMWs and get back to us. If Cadillac wants to play with the big boys then they need to hire a new design team, and they need to do it fast.
I prefer to buy an entry level GM than any BMW or other imported brand. I want to protect U.S> brands and I don’t want my money going to any German bank.
Likewise, I only buy GM because I have extended family who work for GM, and I like to support American companies when they can offer a reasonably competitive product.
But if GM is to thrive, they need to sell cars to more than just consumers like us. I want to see GM crush the imported competition.
BMW is over rated, especially in base trim.
And please, no self respecting American male buys a BMW limiting their market severely.
Most of the BMW drivers I see are males, but whatever.
Cadillac is nearly there, but they’ve got nothing that compares with BMW’s I6, either NA or Turbo. Nobody does. Seriously, go test drive something like a BMW M240i, the powertrain is so good it’s insane.
The LTG 2.0T, now that’s a sweet engine. Just needs a transmission retune to uncage it.
BMW X1, which is a direct competitor to XT4 has quite a bit of black plastic in the same areas: rockers, wheel arches and lower fascia (albeit not as much here).
But thats a foreign non-GM car, so, its above critique here. meanwhile. GM needs to offer $12,000 Phantoms just to move the needle with this crowd…….
Good call on the X1,I had to google it to remind myself of it and was surprised at how similar the XT4’s use of plastic is to the X1’s. Both are equally in bad taste, IMO. Almost like Cadillac are copying BMW’s product strategy…
Problem is, Cadillac have a reputation to restore, while BMW’s reputation is tip top. It’s not fair, but Cadillac needs to outgun BMW across the board if they are to break the German’s dominance of the sport luxury segment.
Listen, I tell guys about my ATS and they do not believe me. They can’t accept that a Cadillac can be as good as a top German or Japanese brand. As far as they know Cadillac still sell old-timey road barges for rich geezers and ghetto lords. That’s where Cadillac’s reputation now stands. They need to play the long game if they are to thrive in the future.
Yeah Brian some people don’t believe Cadillac should have a entry level. I believe the entry level GM is Chevrolet. I believe if you want to drive GM you start at Chevrolet then move up from there. Now however Cadillac to GM is just another Chevrolet or Buick. All the same GM. Same transmission. Same engine. Same seat. Same bearings. Etc.
Cadillac used to be the better GM. If you wanted a car to last longer, have more power, be more comfortable, you bought a Cadillac. However back when the screws tightened, and GM is behind again, the bean counters wanted that Cadillac money. So now we get an expensive Chevy. And like cost cutting the NorthStar Block, to the faulty CUE screen, some times you pay more for Cadillac but get less than a Chevy. People have slowly figured this out, some loyalists like me have been even slower. When this move by GM started the sales of Mercedes, BMW, Audi, slowly went up.
The reason I don’t think this is design people is like the Escala. The overall response from what I can find is great, when they making that. Well when the bean counters get involved the answer is never. Well never just like it. Do this cheaper, do that cheaper.
I wanted the XT4. I don’t mind the design. I can paint the cheap looking plastic, and would rather have that then rust. I however wanted RWD / AWD like our 2005 SRX. And hate the AWD bind up and the 2.0T and shift pattern in our 2014 ATS RWD / AWD. After driving the Audi A4 2.0T RWD / AWD I know that it is possible to make it smooth.
I thought the XT4 front would be like the Escala, and the CT5 to follow. Now however I am beginning to think the CT5 front will look like this XT4 and the CT6. And the XT5 will be soon also. To make it even worse they will make an Escala just for the name and it will look like the CT6.
We will at least test drive this thing to give an accurate opinion. But will sit this bean counter / design / engineer / board, war out, and hope for good things out of the CT5. I hope GM will figure this out for Cadillac. Like the Duramax example, GM would not sell a HD pickup if they didn’t invest the time and money in that engine, however they had to buy/team with ISUZU for that. Just my opinion.
I fear Cadillac will adopt a few cues from the Escala, like they’ve done with recent showcars, and call it a day.
If the turn of the century brought us “Arts & Science,” the last decade+++ has brought us what I’m trademarking “Forever”–as in, this styling, with the exception of the hideous headlights, has been around forever and it’s past time for a change.
I guess I am not in the mood for more of the same.
I should probably go to bed too.
As usual, this site is full of cry babies who had not seen this vehicle in person.
The black cladding of this vehicle is not a deal breaker and it balances out the looks of the vehicle, IMO.
Also, for as the full LED daytime running lights which is lacking with cutoff to the headlight assembly is not a total turn off as long the LEDs of the blades and headlamps are standard. Many buyers will be fine with Luxury while a good number of buyers will upgrade to either Premium Luxury or Sport.
Also, people on here are forgetting time and time again that this is the lowest entry Cadillac CUV at this moment. If you factor in the cost of this vehicle with a limited budget, it is not going to get the most expensive stuff whereas more expensive vehicles like the Escalade and CT6 with a modest budget will get more luxury features as standard.