2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior materials and design fell short of expectations for a luxury brand. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, seemed more fitting for a Buick or a high-end Chevrolet. Despite this, the XT5 offered generous cargo space, with 850 litres available behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the interior feel more intuitive but somewhat dated. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, and higher trims featured genuine leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the overall experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including new wheel designs and a light-up rear VW logo. While it didn't have the traditional SUV profile, the ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs. The interior boasted a minimalist design with quality materials, even in the base model. Leatherette upholstery made from recycled fibres was standard, and the ID.4 offered more interior space than many affordable EVs. The 2023 updates included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, enhancing functionality.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The XT5's acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was in the high-seven-second range, but the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement and performance variants, unlike some competitors. Its fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four and FWD achieving 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.2 on the highway.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model, with RWD only, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack with RWD or AWD options. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4's handling was comfortable but allowed too much body roll for spirited driving. Regenerative braking was present, but VW didn't offer one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for new EV drivers.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered useful storage spaces, including a deep centre console storage bin. The cargo space was generous, with 850 litres behind the rear seats and 1,784 litres with them folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made accessing the cargo area easy. The XT5's cargo capacity was competitive, surpassing models like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kg. The 2023 updates improved interior functionality, with a conventional lid for the centre console and three-zone climate control.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate control and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available. The CUE system was competitive, though not as advanced as some rivals.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, and the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster remained standard. The user interface included haptic touchpads, which lacked physical feedback, but voice recognition was effective. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, adding a unique touch to the driving experience.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It received a "Marginal" score for headlights and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned the IIHS's highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus and a 360-degree camera system.