Ever since the Escalade became a status symbol for the wealthy, Cadillac SUV models have become more and more popular for buyers seeking both luxury and utility. But not everyone needs the amount of space in an Escalade, nor does everyone want to drive such a large vehicle. Cadillac answers this need with a few crossover options that can still satisfy the desire for luxury and utility without the large footprint. Then again, there are those drivers who want an even larger vehicle than the Escalade. Cadillac answers that call, too. Let’s take a look at the models Cadillac has available for SUVs.
XT4
Beginning with the smallest crossover of Cadillac’s lineup, the XT4 looks like you expect a Caddy to look, with that bold grille and boxy front end, but then it curves back to the shape of what you expect in a crossover body. At slightly longer than 181.1 inches, this is a vehicle more suited to city parking and driving, but you still retain the benefits of a vehicle that can handle rough roads and bad weather.
The XT4 seats five and has a maximum cargo capacity of 22.5 cubic feet, with plenty of room for both passengers and luggage for travel. Cadillac puts a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood that can haul up to 3,500 pounds, just in case you need to tow a small trailer. It’s worth noting that the XT4 comes standard with front-wheel drive, so buyers may want to spring for the extra peace of mind by getting all-wheel drive for the full SUV experience.
Three trim levels are available for the XT4: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. Going with the base trim will mean going without certain features like heated/power adjustable seats, though it does come with WiFi and simulated leather seating. The better deal is likely to be the Premium Luxury trim, which adds more driver-assisted safety features, a hands-free liftgate, and other powered extras one expects with a luxury vehicle. Going with the Sport trim offers only aesthetic details, rather than sport-tuned suspension or upgraded wheels.
XT5
When looking at the XT5, it shares a very similar body structure to the XT4, but with a slightly chunkier body that has a little more impressive size. 2020 models did receive a few tweaks to the design, but that eye-catching Caddy front end we all know so well remains dominant. The XT5 is the official midsize crossover, at a length of 189.6 inches, and it seats five. The maximum cargo capacity is an impressive 63 cubic feet, and the base engine shared with the XT4 allows for a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
Three trim levels are available for the XT5, which are the same as the XT4: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. Going with the base trim provides expected features for a luxury vehicle, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose stereo system, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Upgrading to the Premium Luxury trim offers more standard features, like leather seating and the option to upgrade to a V6 engine. All-wheel drive is available for all trim levels.
Unlike the XT4 Sport trim, Cadillac upgrades the engine to the V6 as standard, and it comes with all-wheel drive to make this more of a sport utility vehicle one expects. Adaptive dampers and sport suspension, along with a few exterior upgrades will accentuate the sport sensibility of this trim level. Options like ventilated seats, a night-vision camera, or a surround vision camera are available with upper trims.
XT6
For the drivers who want three rows of seats, but don’t quite want to step into the territory of a mammoth vehicle, the XT6 makes a great choice. Unlike its smaller siblings, the XT6 has a taller, longer back end with the third row gaining more space, and yet it still retains a four-door body style. Though larger than the other crossovers, the XT6 still holds onto that nimble driving experience of the crossover without the truck body of the Escalade.
At 198.5 inches, the new XT6 offers the roominess to seat seven comfortably, even if adults want to sit in the third row. With all the seats up, cargo capacity is small at 12.6 cubic feet, but folding down the seats opens it up to a whopping 78.7 cubic feet. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine allows for towing up to 4,000 pounds. Two trim levels are available for the XT6: Premium Luxury and Sport.
Like the other crossovers from Cadillac, the Premium Luxury trim seems to be the best value, with features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and rear-vision camera in the rear-view mirror. Plenty of driver-assisted safety features are standard, and options to upgrade to all-wheel drive, a Bose sound system, adaptive cruise control, and other premium features offers a wide range of comforts.
The Sport trim comes standard with all-wheel drive, an adaptive sport suspension, glossy black exterior accents, and towing aids. Interior appearance will also be accented with a sporty vibe in the upholstery and other details. Leather upholstery, a Night Vision camera, or seating configuration for six instead of seven can all be accommodated with either trim level, along with a long list of other potential options.
Escalade
Finally, we reach the icon of luxury SUVs: the Escalade. No other SUV has achieved quite the same status of fame as the Escalade, with so many high-visibility famous people choosing this Caddy as their favored vehicle. The bold, aggressive front end, long boxy body, and generally intimidating exterior makes a very clear statement upon arrival. Cadillac maintains the Escalade on the truck body for this full-sized SUV, which measures at 203.9 inches, and seats seven. Cargo capacity comes in at 15.7 cubic feet, and the towing capacity is 8,100 pounds.
Buyers can expect four trim choices for the Escalade: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum. Every trim level comes standard with the 6.2-liter V8 engine that is sold as a rear-wheel drive, but has four-wheel drive as an option. Even the base trim will scream luxury, with adaptive suspension, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking assist, hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, heated seats, surround-view camera system, and a Bose stereo.
Bumping up to the Luxury trim will add a sunroof, power-folding rear seats, head-up display, and the Driver Awareness package full of driver-assisted technology for safety. Going for the Premium Luxury trim will begin to feel like a red carpet treatment, with a rear entertainment system you might expect in a home theater, cornering lights, and more advanced safety features. The peak of the trim levels, aptly named Platinum, adds power-retracting side steps, massaging front seats, and a cooled front-seat console in the center armrest.
Escalade ESV
No matter how big the Escalade seems to some, there are those who wanted more. Cadillac offers the Escalade ESV for those who want room enough for eight, and want to haul their luggage, too. At 224.3 inches, the ESV practically needs separate zip codes from nose to tail, but it more than doubles the cargo capacity behind the third row of seats to 39.3 cubic feet. A 6.2-liter V8 is the same engine as the standard Escalade, and the ESV will also come with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is an option on any trim level, which is the same as the Escalade: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum.
It’s worth considering that the sheer size of the ESV will make for challenging driving anywhere, but especially in cities or other tight situations. On the other hand, few rides will be as satisfying on a family vacation as this super-sized luxury vehicle. All the same features of the standard Escalade are available for every trim level of the ESV, including the rear seat entertainment system on the Premium Luxury trim or the massaging front seats of the Platinum trim. The main feature that truly sets the ESV apart is the extra space to accommodate an extra person and more luggage in the trunk area.
Which Cadillac SUV is for You?
Cadillac remains the standard of luxury after over 100 years of building vehicles in the United States. Owning a Caddy is the mark of a certain statement in a career, a benchmark of success. With the new lineup of SUVs, Cadillac continues to offer vehicles that stand for both quality and pride, but also an expectation of long-lasting pedigree. All that is left for you to do is visit your local Cadillac dealer and take one of these models out for a test drive today.
