Used 2022 Cadillac XT4

The 2022 Cadillac XT4 is a luxury crossover that fits somewhere between the usual subcompact and compact categories. In this choice-filled class, it’s an approach that gives the XT4 something of an edge, offering accommodations beyond what a typical subcompact can muster, yet coming in at a competitive price.

Cadillac needs all the edge it can get, though, because it can’t compete in the prestige stakes with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. Nor is the XT4 blazing a solitary trail. Other companies are either expanding their portfolios with segment-straddling models, like the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class, or making sure their luxury subcompact crossovers are on the spacious side, like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

Where is the Cadillac XT4 built? At General Motors’ Fairfax plant in Kansas City — on the Kansas side of the tracks. This first generation of XT4 is now four years old. Oh, and XT is Cadillac’s code for “crossover touring.”

Compared with much of the competition, the 2022 XT4 packs quite a healthy amount of engine muscle. It’s a bit of an anti-climax, then, that acceleration is on the relaxed side, taking nearly eight seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. The standard shift paddles beneath the steering wheel allow drivers to change gears themselves, though, whenever they feel like getting more involved.

Working the throttle hard also results in some engine noise that’s hardly appropriate for a luxury vehicle. There’s some general wind and road roar on the freeways as well, despite active noise cancellation fitted as standard.

In city driving, however, the XT4 is fine. Outward vision is generally good, the driving position is set high, the steering is easy (perhaps too light), and the modest overall footprint makes the XT4 easy to park.

If the Cadillac name evokes memories or preconceptions of a soft ride, the XT4 isn’t one of those Cadillacs. Perhaps it’s the relatively short distance between the front and rear wheels, but the ride quality can be almost jittery over rough surfaces. Any buyers tempted by the 20-inch alloys should test-drive them first to make sure this wheel/tire combination is tolerable.

A lot of the time, luxury is in the details. Like the retained accessory power feature, which keeps things like the windows, sunroof, climate control, and audio system in operation for 10 minutes after the ignition has been switched off, or once a door is opened.

Cadillac’s name for its simulated leather upholstery is now Inteluxe. We guess all the good made-up names had been taken. Whatever the moniker, it’s standard in the XT4. Real leather seating surfaces come in at the mid-level Premium Luxury trim.

The rotary control for the infotainment system only works when turning clockwise/counter-clockwise. There are no other movements like up/down or left/right, which would have helped greatly with functionality.

Soft-touch plastics are found in most of the right places, such as the dashboard, but the interior design, in general, is arguably not quite as interesting as the exterior.

How spacious is the Cadillac XT4? Pretty good for an almost-subcompact crossover. Occupants up front should have no complaints. Rear legroom is 39.5 inches, and headroom is 38.3 inches, easily enough for a 6-footer to feel comfortable, as long as there isn’t another 6-footer up front.

The rear seats split and fold in the time-honored 60/40 manner. The luggage area behind them measures 22.5 cubic feet, more than sufficient space for four sets of golf clubs. Folding the rear seats down expands cargo volume to a total of 48.9 cubic feet.

No matter what the interior’s shortcomings may be, the Cadillac XT4 carries itself through the streets with an upscale outward appearance. The proportions seem right, and there’s a well-judged amount of arguably interesting shapes.

Sport trim gains a black finish for items like the grille, roof rails, lower fascias at both ends, and side window surrounds.

CABIN COMFORT
The front seats are well-cushioned and supportive, with plenty of adjustment to achieve the ideal driving position and accommodating enough for a wide range of human builds. The powered bolster adjustment of the Sport model’s seats provides greater lateral support.

POWERTRAIN WARRANTY
Many car companies cover their drivetrains for four years/50,000 miles. But Cadillac provides six years/70,000 miles, whichever happens first.

It’s promising when the most affordable version of the 2022 XT4 is still called Luxury. Deservedly so, since this model comes with a feature-rich infotainment system that includes wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, natural voice recognition, one USB-A port, one USB-C port, and an 8-inch touchscreen.

Other equipment includes LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, heated side mirrors, powered tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, power-adjustable front seats (8-way for the driver, 6-way for the passenger), and selectable driving modes.

The XT4, like all 2022 Cadillac, comes standard with the Smart System array of safety features. In addition to a forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, it includes rear parking sensors, Teen Driver (see our Safety section below), rear-seat reminder, and a Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates the base of the seat to warn the driver of any dangers approaching from either side.

Premium Luxury and Sport models gain virtually the same extras, except the latter comes with alloy pedals, sport front seats, front cornering lamps (optional with the Premium Luxury trim), plus various exterior details finished in black.

Supplemental goodies shared by both higher trims include memory settings for the driver’s seat/side mirror, leather seating surfaces, adaptive cruise control, hands-free tailgate operation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic on/off headlights, front parking sensors, and self-dimming mirrors.

Other options like ventilated/massaging front seats, power-adjustable steering column, 360-degree camera system, head-up display, reverse automatic braking, and automatic parking assistance are available in the top two trims.

All three trims are eligible for heated front seats/rear outboard seats/steering wheel, powered sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless charging, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, navigation, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.

Sport trim also offers a specially tuned adaptive suspension.

The 2022 XT4 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine linked to a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine develops a useful 237 horsepower, which is more than rivals like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and the regular Mercedes-Benz GLB.

The transmission’s nine forward gears bring an easy response for maneuvering and moving off from a standstill while also optimizing fuel economy at freeway speeds. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the basic configuration; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.

A stop/restart function saves a little gas while idling, but it can be turned off if the driver wants. Cadillac recommends premium gasoline, which is common with turbocharged engines in luxury vehicles.

Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30 mpg (FWD), 22/29 mpg (AWD)