2021 Cadillac XT4 Review: An All-American Bargain Bin Compact
The crossover SUV segment has been booming in the USA for several years already, yet one of the country's biggest brands was rather late to the game. The 2021 Cadillac XT4 is only two years old now, and it's still in its first generation, which means there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out. The fact that it goes up against much more experienced and refined competitors like the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and even the Acura RDX only makes it look worse in comparison. That's not to say it's a bad car, though. The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood delivers a decent 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and there is a pleasing consignment of standard features. However, being practical and well-equipped is just not enough; has the 2021 XT4 had enough time to learn this lesson?
2021 XT4 Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181.1 in | 109.4 in | 63.2 in | 76.7 in | 63.2 in | 63.1 in | 3,660.0 lbs |
2021 XT4 Performance
2021 XT4 Interior
2021 XT4 Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Warranty Note | Basic | Drivetrain | Rust-Through | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary 2021 Warranty | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 6 Years / 70,000 Miles | 6 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 6 Years / 70,000 Miles | 1 Year/1 Visit |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Cadillac XT4 A Good SUV?
If you're looking for a small 5-door family hauler, you could do a lot worse than Caddy XT4. It is spacious, has a long list of standard tech, and plenty of safety features. The NHTSA review of the 2021 Cadillac XT4 returned an excellent safety rating, too. Yes, the automaker was a little late to the game, but that doesn't mean it wasn't paying attention from the sidelines. Cadillac learned from the best like the premium Bimmers and the mainstream Toyota's, which is why the XT4 has such a high value proposition.
Unfortunately, it falls victim to the same problem that many of its siblings do; the interior is not as upscale as the price would suggest, and there are a lot of hard plastics in key areas. The ride is also not as comfortable as it should be on a family SUV, and reliability ratings - although not awful - could be a little better for something that looks this reu. That said, the good factors still outweigh the bad. Lots of space, features, safety, and a reasonable price make the Cadillac XT4 an interesting and enticing offer for many consumers.
What Cadillac XT4 Model Should I Buy?
Considering it tries to take on some of the more luxurious offerings in the segment, the 2021 Cadillac XT4 SUV's starting price of $35,795 is quite reasonable. That is, so long as you are willing to stick with the base model, since the top-tier trims bring you closer to the $40k mark before you start adding extras. Unfortunately, you have to upgrade to at least the Premium Luxury model to get access to the best safety features available to the Caddy, but we'd suggest adding no more than the Driver Assist Package, as the price can quickly climb to BMW or Mercedes levels, and if that happens, you may as well buy them instead, since they are better all-rounders than the XT4.