2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The “Dieselgate” emissions scandal forced Volkswagen to double down on electric cars, and now we’re finally seeing the first result of that: the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover.

VW has made an electric car before, but its last attempt, the e-Golf, was built to satisfy emissions standards, not rack up sales. It was barely advertised, and it was sold only in certain locations. With the ID.4, it will launch in the three largest Canadian EV markets—British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario—and will even be built in North America, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting in 2022. Volkswagen views the ID.4 as a rival not to other EVs, but to mainstream gasoline vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Being late to the party means there are already several other EVs trying to coax new-car buyers away from internal combustion, however. If you want a reasonably priced EV, the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV already exist, and General Motors has the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV—a new variant of the Chevy Bolt EV with a crossover body style similar to the Volkswagen.

Our test car was an ID.4 1st Edition, a U.S.-only model released to commemorates the car’s launch. Its closest Canadian equivalent is the ID.4 RWD Pro with the Statement Package.

Cadillac spent the early 2000s methodically developing sports sedans in pursuit of BMW, but while it focused on that market trends turned toward SUVs. So for the past few years, Cadillac has tried to execute a product planning sidestep with more SUVs and updated versions of existing models.

The Cadillac XT5 (short for Crossover Touring 5) was introduced for the 2017 model year as the replacement for the SRX crossover SUV. It now sits between the XT4 and XT6 in Cadillac’s SUV lineup and is positioned against small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti QX50, Lexus NX, Lincoln Corsair, and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Most of those models have benefitted from recent redesigns, while the XT5 carries over to the 2022 model year with minimal changes. The lineup still consists of Luxury base model, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels. For 2022, the XT5 Sport gets front Brembo brakes, red front and rear brake calipers, and new 20-inch 12-spoke wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish. All trim levels also get colour-keyed floor mats and new Latte Metallic and Rosewood Metallic extra-cost paint colours.

There are no mechanical changes to report, so the XT5 is still offered with turbocharged four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V6 engines, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test car was a Premium Luxury model with the V6, AWD, and the optional Platinum Package.