2021 Cadillac XT5 Review
Price Range: $21,998 - $32,590
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Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offers a roomy cargo area, effortless smartphone integration and relatively good value in the midsize luxury SUV segment. But it isn't a standout in any particular area and fails to match the level of luxury found in most of its contemporaries.
Price & Payment
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Average price: $27,536
$
to$
Price
Pros
- Above-average cargo capacity
- Generous legroom and headroom
- Relatively affordable compared to other midsize SUVs
Cons
- Small windows and mirrors make it hard to see out of the back
- Not a lot of cabin storage for small items
- Lets in too much exterior noise
What's new
- Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Part of the first XT5 generation introduced for 2017
Overview
The XT5, Cadillac's midsize crossover SUV, is getting a bit dated. This current generation debuted for the 2017 model year. Most rivals, including the Lincoln Aviator and Mercedes GLE, benefit from fresher designs. Still, Cadillac has done a nice job keeping the XT5 up-to-date. For instance, the 2021 XT5 now comes with wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That means you no longer have to use a cord to connect your phone to make these systems work.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
30 listings
- 40,962 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 5 Seats
- Radley Acura (23 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Falls Church, VA
Clean CARFAX. Odometer is 8236 miles below market average! 19/26 City/Highway MPG155 Amp Alternator, 2-Way Power Driver Lumbar Control Seat Adjuster,...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1GYKNCRS5MZ152450
Stock: 88151B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-16-2026- $28,998good price$3,060 below market
- 42,874 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 21 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Naples (924 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Naples, FL
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (21 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1GYKNFRS6MZ112251
Stock: 28228783
Certified Pre-Owned: No
We do like the Cadillac XT5. Strengths include a stylish exterior, a sizable cargo area, and easy entry and exit. Yet the reality is that other SUVs offer a more complete luxury experience. You can read more of our take in our XT5 Expert Rating.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.4
out of 10
We drove the 2021 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
7.5/10
How does the XT5 drive? The Cadillac XT5 has usable performance for everyday driving. Our test vehicle had the V6 and all-wheel drive. The V6 engine is strong, but you'll need to firmly press on the gas pedal to get it going. In Edmunds testing, our test XT5 did 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is an average time for a midsize luxury SUV. The transmission is smooth and downshifts appropriately when needed.
Around turns, the XT5 is coordinated and compliant. As an SUV, it doesn't exactly encourage you to seek out winding roads, but it's competent enough once you're there.
Around turns, the XT5 is coordinated and compliant. As an SUV, it doesn't exactly encourage you to seek out winding roads, but it's competent enough once you're there.
Comfort
7/10
How comfortable is the XT5? The XT5 is comfortable, but so are the others in this competitive luxury class. The seat comfort and smooth ride are the highlights. The front seats have decent bolstering and offer plenty of adjustments, while the ride feels planted and is smooth during daily commutes.
The tri-zone climate control is nice to have, but it takes a little while to get going. It's the same for the heated and ventilated seats. Oddly, the XT5 isn't as quiet as it ought to be, particularly at low speeds. Around town, you'll hear engine accessory drive noises, creaking interior panels and slight wind noise.
The tri-zone climate control is nice to have, but it takes a little while to get going. It's the same for the heated and ventilated seats. Oddly, the XT5 isn't as quiet as it ought to be, particularly at low speeds. Around town, you'll hear engine accessory drive noises, creaking interior panels and slight wind noise.
Interior
7/10
How’s the interior? The interior looks nice, and the controls are easy to understand. Cadillac uses an 8-inch touchscreen, which is now on the small size for a luxury vehicle. Having knobs for volume and menu selection helps with ease of use, but some buttons aren't always responsive.
The design of the XT5 compromises some visibility, primarily the rear three-quarter view and the narrow rear window. The XT5's driving aids such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are very helpful. And while the XT5 offers generous head- and legroom up front, it does not feel that spacious across the width of the cabin, particularly at the elbows.
The design of the XT5 compromises some visibility, primarily the rear three-quarter view and the narrow rear window. The XT5's driving aids such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are very helpful. And while the XT5 offers generous head- and legroom up front, it does not feel that spacious across the width of the cabin, particularly at the elbows.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? The infotainment and technology included in the XT5 are competitive in its class. For example, the optional 14-speaker Bose audio system sounds crisp and powerful, and Bluetooth pairing is easy and straightforward. The XT5 also provides a useful number of charging ports for your devices.
The standard voice controls aren't the best, so we recommend using CarPlay or Android Auto. As for advanced safety systems, Cadillac gives you a few as standard, but you'll have to pay extra to access others, such as adaptive cruise control.
The standard voice controls aren't the best, so we recommend using CarPlay or Android Auto. As for advanced safety systems, Cadillac gives you a few as standard, but you'll have to pay extra to access others, such as adaptive cruise control.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The XT5's fold-flat main cargo hold is well shaped and accommodating for a majority of items. It's definitely one of the roomier spaces in the two-row midsize luxury SUV class. But the cargo floor's liftover height is a bit on the high side. The power liftgate allows you to program the height of the opening.
Sadly, small-item storage is lacking, particularly in the front of the cabin. The center console is not nearly as big inside as it appears, and the door pockets are a bit on the small side. Front and rear cupholders are just big enough to fit a soda can. Car seat access is decent even though the anchors are tucked pretty tight in the crack of the seats. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds even with the optional tow package, which is below average.
Sadly, small-item storage is lacking, particularly in the front of the cabin. The center console is not nearly as big inside as it appears, and the door pockets are a bit on the small side. Front and rear cupholders are just big enough to fit a soda can. Car seat access is decent even though the anchors are tucked pretty tight in the crack of the seats. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds even with the optional tow package, which is below average.
Fuel Economy
6.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Cadillac XT5 AWD with the V6 has an EPA rating of 20 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway), which is on the lower end of fuel economy for the small and midsize crossover SUV classes. On our 115-mile mixed-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.
Value
7/10
Is the XT5 a good value? Adding options can significantly boost the XT5's price, but that's par for the course in the luxury SUV class. Considering what you're getting, there's some value in the XT5. The exterior looks decently upscale, and the interior materials feel better than in previous models but they're still below what most European rivals offer. The warranty stacks up with the rest of the competition.
Wildcard
8/10
The XT5 is a nice-looking SUV that wears Cadillac's older styling theme. The newer XT6 makes the design look a lot fresher, but it's not a far removal from the XT5's design. It evokes the upscale personality that Cadillac's after. This SUV is well behaved day to day and enjoyable when you want to pick up the pace.
2021 Cadillac XT5 trim level differences
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 is a two-row midsize SUV sold in three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. Luxury and Premium Luxury models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Optional for the Premium Luxury and standard on the Sport is a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft on tap. Both engines are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Compare the 2021 Cadillac XT5 trim levels in-depth.
Which XT5 trim does Edmunds recommend?
The Luxury trim is attractively priced, but it excludes desirable features such as a blind-spot monitor or power-folding mirrors. There aren't any packages for the Luxury either, so there's no way to upgrade. Since that's the case, we think it's worth stepping up to the Premium Luxury for those features as well as its versatile lineup of packages.

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$241/mo for XT5 Luxury
XT5 Luxury
vs
$241/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Reliability
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #1 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
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.
Cost
$435/yr
vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Frequency
0.3x/yr
vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Severity
9.5%
vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
2 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 22V709000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- N222378380
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 95231
- Defect Description:
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
- Defect Consequence:
- An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Corrective Action:
- Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
- Recall Number:
- 21V422000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- N212335590
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 572
- Defect Description:
- General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
- Defect Consequence:
- Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
- Corrective Action:
- Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
Warranty
4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 6 years / 70,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 6 years / 70,000 miles
- Free maintenance Warranty
- 1 years / unlimited miles
Cadillac XT5 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(57%)
4(26%)
3(10%)
2(5%)
1(2%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Found the perfect fit !
4 out of 5 starsT.Rook, 06/22/2021
2021 Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
We test drive the Lincoln Aviator and found the engine auto off/ on very jerky and the shift controls in a very odd position. It steered bulky compared to the Cadillac xt5.
The aviator did have a little more room in the cargo area , but the rear passenger space looks and felt like and after thought .
The XT5 feels and handles like what you expect from Cadillac. The interior just blew … us away with its high end design. Controls are super friendly and the wireless connect from phone to car is fantastic! We love our XT5 luxury premium. And it comes at a a much less premium price than the aviator .
When I factor in design, cost, city and highway handling as well as the high tech safety features such as blind spot , lane check and anti collision braking and warning . Lastly let’s not forget the “ teenage driver speed control” I personally rate the XT5 a very strong 9 out of 10 !
XT5 sport
5 out of 5 starsXT5 sport , 09/02/2020
2020 Cadillac XT5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
This is my second XT5 from 2017 . The adaptive suspension is great and the 20 inch tires make handling very easy beautiful vehicle fully loaded. I own this 2020 six months now with no issues.
XT5CadExperience
4 out of 5 starsChuck, 06/13/2021
2021 Cadillac XT5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Be sure you know all the options you want before going to a dealer. I knew I wanted all safety options I desired and did an on-line search for the Cadillac filling that requirement. I found the model, the top of the line Xt5 that filled those requirements. It had lane alert, lane change warning, lane hold when in cruise, and both front and rear blind side alerts. I have already … experienced a warning of a vehicle approaching me from the front who had crossed the lane line. The heads-up display really amplified this warning. I am pleased with the electronic steering and braking, which is faster response than hydraulics.
Over-all enjoyable vehicle
5 out of 5 starsDan H , 02/13/2020
2020 Cadillac XT5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
This is my daily driver and it is a comfortable ride while having some sport like lateral firmness when taking turns. I have historically been a foreign car fan (my other vehicle is a 911) and this is the perfect reliable daily driver with room for the family and 22 mpg all around...
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Cadillac XT5, so we've included reviews for other years of the XT5 since its last redesign.
2021 XT5 Features & Specs
Luxury
| MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee | $43,995 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $241/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 30.0 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
| Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the XT5 models:
- Safety Alert Seat
- Generates vibrating pulse patterns in the driver's seat cushion to warn of a potential collision on the left or right side of the car.
- Vehicle Interior Movement Sensor
- Part of the Advanced Security package, it alerts the driver before opening the doors if any movement has been detected inside the vehicle.
- Forward Collision Alert
- Issues an alert if a potential collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian seems imminent. The system can initiate braking if necessary.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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