XT4

Make
Cadillac
Segment
SUV

Cadillac's V moniker has taken on a very different role than it has in the past with new models like the CT5-V and CT4-V producing far less power than their predecessors. More powerful versions are on the way but until they arrive, old school V fans are craving a bit more from Cadillac. If those fans were hoping for a high-performance crossover from Cadillac, they may have to keep waiting.

Towards the end of 2018, some sketches were posted to the company's website, showing what was believed to be a V variant of the Cadillac XT4. No official announcement was ever made about a more powerful XT4 and sources close to Cadillac's product plans have now told Cadillac Society that a XT4-V seems highly unlikely.

If Cadillac wanted to build an XT4-V, an easy way would be to stuff in the 3.6-liter V6 from the larger XT5. The only engine option currently in the XT4 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, so the V6 would offer an incredible bump to 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

The XT4 technically has enough room under its engine bay to fit the V6 but Cadillac's product planners have reportedly said there is not enough demand for such a powerplant in this segment. All of the XT4's competitors including the Acura RDX, Audi Q3, BMW X1 and X2, Lexus NX, Lincoln Corsair, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Volvo XC40 all use turbocharged four-bangers even in their performance variants.

So the V6 engine has been ruled out but what about the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the CT4-V? It produces 325 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, which would make the XT4-V one of the most powerful vehicles in its segment, behind only the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45. Alas, it seems like Cadillac wants to stick with just one engine option for the XT4, meaning we probably won't be getting an XT4-V any time soon.