The Cadillac XT4 has a lot to offer in the compact luxury crossover segment. It looks great, comes with a comfortable and well-equipped interior, and mounts an efficient turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine under the hood. Unfortunately, for those buyers hoping to option in a V6 powerplant, it looks like such a configuration won’t happen.
According to a recent report from our sister publication, Cadillac Society, which cites sources familiar with Cadillac product plans, the Cadillac XT4 will not equip a six-cylinder engine.
Much of the reasoning comes down to demand, as there simply aren’t enough customers clamoring for a V6-powered Cadillac XT4. What’s more, the XT4’s chief rivals all use boosted four-cylinders. That includes the Acura RDX, Audi Q3, BMW X1 and X2, Lexus NX, Lincoln Corsair, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40.
And although there is enough room in the Cadillac XT4’s engine bay to squeeze in a few more cylinders, such a configuration could steal sales from the bigger and pricier Cadillac XT5. To note, the 2020 XT5 offers the naturally aspirated 3.6L LGX V6 as standard on the Sport trim level, and as an available option on the Premium Luxury trim level. Output from the ‘six is rated at 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque.
Additionally, the Cadillac Society report indicates that the turbocharged 2.7L L3B inline four-cylinder is also unlikely to find a spot in the Cadillac XT4 lineup, even with the rumored XT4-V. To note, the L3B produces 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque in the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V.
For now, the Cadillac XT4 is offered exclusively with the turbocharged 2.0L LSY four-cylinder, which produces 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That said, the Euro-spec XT4 swaps the LSY in favor of the all-new turbo-diesel 2.0L LSQ inline four-cylinder, which produces 170 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Both engines connect to the GM nine-speed automatic transmission.
Does the LSY make for a good fit in the XT4, or would you prefer a V6? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac XT4 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
Comments
Sad considering the XTS V-Sport, its most direct platform predecessor… went all the way to 410 hp.
There was a huge missed opportunity here to have a wicked fast, lifted wagon, which could do Super Cruise too someday.
And I know that engine is now out of production, but that’s also kinda the point. GM is now just saying “if you want performance, and it isn’t a Corvette, call us back when BEV3 arrives.” And that’s a huge gamble in this recession economy. Offering 400 horses as a super discounted upgrade, wouldn’t have been.
Then again this is the same company that passed on Volt EUV. So yeah, not surprised.
Why would it be right? People don’t want options!
Another…example of Cadillac’s participation trophy business plan.
I will almost always prefer a V6 to a boosted-4 of similar horsepower. But, I also know that I’m in the minority. Most people simply don’t care and, as someone else mentioned, don’t. want options (at least powertrain options).
But, to be fair, I’m also not in the market for an XT4. I’m definitely a sports-sedan guy through and through. *sigh*
I prefer the torque curve of a turbo. The current V6 needs to be wound out to get the most out of it.
Then why not the 2.7 turbo, a no brainer!
Cause it’s GM.
If Cadillac ups the hp with a stronger turbo 4 (or v6, preferably with a turbo), I would buy it. It’s a really nice small luxury SUV, but just too anemic with the current packaging.
As a general statement, outside the Escalade, all the Cadillac SUVs need a hp increase to be competitive. With the market shift to SUVs, Cadillac needs to align with the performance levels of its competitors (at least offer a real “sport” engine option).
I’d prefer a V6, but would be content with a higher output turbo 4. I know I’m maybe in the minority of the consumers who do still prefer an engine option and that this likely doesn’t make business sense for GM. That said, not sure why they wouldn’t at least consider the LSB? I’m a fan of the exterior and interior of the XT4, and could see this as nice replacement to my current Terrain when the time comes for me to upgrade. But the lack of a higher output engine does give me hesitance.
I’d hardly call this unibody FWD vehicle an “SUV” its a CUV or in other words raised station wagon. The only real SUV they have is the BOF Escalade.
GM should know that sporty CUVs do sell well. If they based the XT4 on a proper platform they could really compete with vehicles like the BMW X3. The XT5 with the BMW X5. We know Cadillac can make great driving cars when given proper platforms (alpha).
If they could they’d stick in the crappy 3 Cylinder and make the 4 an extra cost option they would do it.
The formerly standard 6 on the XT5 is now an extra cost option on the 2020 with the 4 as std. The 2020 also had a $2400 price increase so if you want a 6 in an XT5 get a 2019, but then you don’t get the upgrades for 2020… This company is really pathetic… Short term stock price over value, quality, customer svc… and did I say value?
It could have had a V8.
Its a FWD platform. It would be very hard to fit one under the hood.
Some of these guys think a raised, dulley, crewcab, Dmax Silverado HD is a great personal commuter vehicle in NYC, Philly, etc, nevermind a large engine in anything means sales.
Yes a sport CUV is needed for Caddy and perhaps an high boost 2.0 should be optional but look at the bestsellers in the XT4 field, not roadrunners. Also look who’s buying them, a 29 yr old AOC type chick isn’t doing burnouts in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway.
Some of the commenters above probably have not driven the 2.0 turbo. This little engine provides all the HP and torque this little auto need. I first had the basic 4 cylinders in an Equinox, and now 2.0 engine, what a huge difference.
Different engines…..the Equiniox 2.0 and the XT4 2.0 are not the same engines.
Cost cutting! Cadillac Motto, When You Want More You Get Less…………….
The 2.7 could make a GREAT intermediary XT4 sport model. The 3.0 TT a fantastic V. The Chevy based XT6 should come with the 3.0 TT 350 HP as standard! The Chevy based XT5 should have it as a option. Both should get a 3.0TT 404/400 as a V model… GM management is too cheap and committed to its good enough mediocrity for any of this to happen…..
Oh well, gonna be electric soon anyway.
Do they have a AWD transaxle newer than the XTS VSport’s that can handle the torque of the 2.7T? A mere 6 speed won’t cut it nowadays.
After moving to an XT4 from a 2016 ATS with a V6 @ 335 HP, it was a bit of a downer. I’d like to see a rear wheel drive version with the V6 from the ATS not the de-tuned XT5 version. The XT5 doesn’t have the same lines, so it does not appeal to me. The XT4 is sleeker and more appealing, so add the HP the Sport version I have and we’ll have a winner even if its not a V model.
As an owner of an XT4, and previously an ATS 2.0, the XT4 in my opinion is under powered. The lower rating of the new 2.0l leaves the XT4 lacking. While the car is “quick” on the low end 0-maybe 40 mph with the available torque @ 1500 rpm and nine speed it’s far from fast. My 6.2L Denali still beat it, sad. We would have upgraded to a 2.7t in a heart beat if available, think it would be a truly fun car. It handles and drives very well, nimble and tight feeling, especially with the sport suspension. Not quite an ATS but not too far off, and great for a fwd/awd platform. I would never buy an XT5 with the 3.6L, have driven them as loaners over the years and that engine is a dog and the XT5 just feels big and has lots of body roll, I say that and I have a Yukon Denali that doesn’t roll as much. Sad to hear possibly of no 2.7T V version, guess we will have to look at a different brand next time.