The 2026 Cadillac XT5 might be a viable choice for a luxury SUV if you prioritize cargo space and a low price. But it otherwise can't measure up to newer rival SUVs that boast superior comfort, power, fuel economy and refinement.Read full review
The 2026 XT5 is Cadillac's two-row midsize luxury SUV. It's also getting on in years. This year's XT5 will be the vehicle's 10th year of production with only minor revisions along the way. We appreciate its pricing and no-nonsense interior, but this is an aging SUV no matter how you slice it. Consider its infotainment system, for example. Its 8-inch touchscreen would be considered small even for an entry-level SUV, let alone a luxury-branded one. The rest of Cadillac's SUV lineup of SUVs is much more modern.
We drove the 2026 Cadillac XT5 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance: Comfortable but unexciting
4.9/10
How does the Cadillac XT5 drive? The Cadillac XT5 is competent and capable, but nothing about it particularly stands out from its peers. In our testing, the V6-powered XT5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, an average time for a midsize luxury SUV. The transmission is smooth and downshifts appropriately when needed, and the XT5 is coordinated and compliant around turns. It doesn't exactly encourage you to seek out winding roads but doesn't embarrass itself when carving through them.
The ride is nicely regulated and exhibits little of the float or bounce that makes an SUV feel less planted. The suspension absorbs most bumps cleanly, although there's only so much a lower-profile 20-inch tire can do when it meets an abrupt edge.
The XT5's design compromises some visibility, primarily the rear three-quarter view and the narrow rear window. Driver aids such as blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are helpful here, along with the 360-degree camera system. Other driver aids included advanced adaptive cruise control. It worked well, slowing the Caddy to a stop in traffic, but using the "collision warning distance" button to set the adaptive cruise's distance is a little odd.
Comfort: Others are quieter and more plush
5/10
View interior photos
How comfortable is the Cadillac XT5? The XT5 is comfortable, but no more so than others in this competitive luxury class. While it offers generous headroom and legroom up front, the XT5 doesn't feel that spacious across the width of the cabin, particularly at the elbows. The front seats have decent bolstering and offer plenty of adjustments, while the ride feels planted and smooth in daily driving. Oddly, the XT5 isn't as quiet as it should be, particularly at low speeds. You'll hear engine accessory drive noises, creaking interior panels and slight wind noise.
The interior looks nice, though, and the controls are easy to understand. The XT5 uses an 8-inch touchscreen — small for a modern luxury SUV. Having knobs for volume and menu selection helps with ease of use, but some buttons aren't always responsive. The tri-zone climate control is a nice touch but takes a little while to get going. It's the same for the heated and ventilated seats. Installing car seats is fairly easy, although the lower LATCH anchors are tucked pretty tight into the seat cushions.
In-cabin tech: Small touchscreen feels outdated
5/10
How’s the tech? The XT5's tech and infotainment are reasonably competitive. The optional 14-speaker Bose audio system sounds crisp and powerful, and Bluetooth pairing is easy and straightforward. The XT5 also offers four USB charging ports for devices. The small touchscreen and mediocre voice controls feel outdated compared to rival systems, but Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration offers useful alternatives. We also like that Cadillac offers both touchscreen and dial controller inputs.
Storage & cargo: Roomy cargo, stingy small storage
6.3/10
How’s storage and cargo? The fold-flat cargo space is well shaped and accommodating for a majority of items. It's definitely one of the roomier spaces among two-row midsize luxury SUVs. The power liftgate allows you to program the height of the opening — a nice touch — but the cargo floor's liftover height is a bit on the high side.
Inside, the XT5 is stingy with its small-item storage, particularly in the front of the cabin. The center console is not nearly as large inside as it appears, and the door pockets are a little on the small side. The front and rear cupholders are just big enough to fit a soda can. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds with the optional tow package, which is below average for the class.
Value: Options inflate price, still competes
5.9/10
Is the Cadillac XT5 a good value? Adding options significantly boosts the XT5's price, but that's par for the course with luxury SUVs. Considering what you get, there's some value in the XT5. The exterior looks decently upscale, and the interior materials feel better than in earlier models, but they're still below what most European rivals offer. The warranty stacks up with the rest of the competition.
MPG: V6 AWD’s lower-than-class numbers
3/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Cadillac XT5 AWD with the V6 (which is what we tested) has an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, which is on the lower end of fuel economy for the small and midsize crossover SUV classes. On our real-world driving evaluation route, our test XT5 averaged 20.2 mpg. That's about where we'd expect it to be, so the EPA's estimates should be achievable.
X factor: Looks, refinement, and measured performance
7/10
The XT5 is a nice-looking SUV that wears Cadillac's older styling theme. Other examples of the creased-and-folded Cadillac styling can appear overdone, but here it's like it was meant to be: a handsome vehicle that looks well tailored inside and out with nice materials adorning the interior. While there's not really enough power for stoplight shenanigans, the XT5 is more interesting, composed and refined than you might expect. It doesn't invite hard driving on curvy mountain roads, but it can keep pace.
Here are some tips to help you get the best deal on a 2026 Cadillac XT5:
Buyers are paying around 3.7% less than the sticker price across trims, translating to savings of roughly $1,780 to $2,320.
If you're a teacher, military member, or first responder, you could qualify for an additional $1,000 rebate.
Take advantage of promotional loan rates with APRs as low as 5.9% for 60 months, which significantly undercuts the market rate of 7.34%.
With 3,958 new XT5 models available nationwide, there should be room to negotiate, especially for the Premium Luxury trim with 2,907 units.
Used XT5 models start at $40,420. With 109 used vehicles available and selling in an average of 17 days, act quickly for the best selection.
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2026 Cadillac XT5 trim level differences
The 2026 Cadillac XT5 is a five-passenger, two-row midsize luxury SUV. The XT5 is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (235 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) is standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury, while a 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp, 271 lb-ft) is optional on the Premium Luxury and standard on the Sport. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, and all-wheel drive is optional. The Sport comes equipped with AWD as standard. Compare the 2026 Cadillac XT5 trim levels in-depth.
Which XT5 trim does Edmunds recommend?
We believe the Luxury trim will be sufficient for most buyers. It offers important features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and comes with heated seats and a Bose audio system.
Competitors to consider
We recommend checking out competitors such as the BMW X5, Genesis GV70 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. All of these midsize luxury SUVs are more up to date than the XT5 and have superior comfort, technology features and curbside appeal. If you are OK with going electric, Cadillac's Lyriq is another impressive alternative.
Edmunds spotlight: Not much changes for the 2026 XT5
You won't find a futuristic cabin inside the 2026 XT5, but that might be a good thing if you want a rather simple luxury SUV without all of the latest gadgets. Still, there's no denying that Cadillac's efforts have been focused elsewhere for the last few years, and the XT5 has been left to linger with only minor changes. That's the case for 2026 as well, as the list of deletions from the XT5 far exceeds any meaningful updates.
The Cadillac XT5 has received mixed reviews from owners. Many praise its smooth ride, powerful V6 engine, and spacious interior, saying it's comfortable for long trips and offers plenty of tech features. However, there are complaints about issues with the transmission, the air conditioning, and the electronic shifter, as well as frustrations with the touchscreen system and high costs for map updates. Some owners reported poor service experiences and problems with new cars needing repair soon after purchase.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
2022 Cadillac XT5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Handles well, plenty of power for what it's designed for (V-6). Nice layout. I bought this for a good price for a mid size luxury SUV and it has most of the safety features I was looking for. I highly recommend the V-6 rather than the 4 cylinder. You don't lose that much mileage, can use regular gas rather than the required premium in the 4 cylinder, and it has more horsepower. … Options, if you can get them with all the chip shortages, and availability of models are pretty good. I found it comfortable, good visibility, and a good bargain for the price.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Cadillac XT5, so we've included review for other years of the XT5 since its last redesign.
The 2026 Cadillac XT5 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #1 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent
#1 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 XT5 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 5.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 XT5 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 34 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the XT5 has 30.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Cadillac XT5. Learn more
What's new in the 2026 Cadillac XT5?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Cadillac XT5:
Minor package and trim changes
Part of the first XT5 generation introduced for 2017
To determine whether the Cadillac XT5 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the XT5. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the XT5's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2026 Cadillac XT5 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Cadillac XT5 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 XT5 and gave it a 5.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 XT5 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 34 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 XT5 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2026 Cadillac XT5?
The least-expensive 2026 Cadillac XT5 is the 2026 Cadillac XT5 Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $44,800.
Other versions include:
Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $44,800
Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $46,800
Premium Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $53,500
Premium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $55,600
Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $62,800
If you're interested in the Cadillac XT5, the next question is, which XT5 model is right for you? XT5 variants include Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A), Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A), Premium Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A), and Premium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A). For a full list of XT5 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more