If you’re a car brand that doesn’t offer a compact SUV, are you really a car brand at all? Everyone’s making these things now, and not wanting to miss out on the party, Cadillac has joined in with the XT4, its first small crossover.
So what does this thing bring to the table? Well, as its name would suggest, it’s slightly smaller than the XT5 SUV. And it’s certainly aimed at more of an urban audience than one concerned with off-roading. Cadillac makes much of the style and comfort of the XT4, which should give you clue as to what sort of buyer it’s targeted towards.
Anyway, on the styling, we think Cadillac has done a good job. The front end makes it look like a more pointy and aggressive version of the XT5, and the rear is more futuristic and youthful than we’ve come to expect from Cadillac.
Inside, it’s more standard Cadillac fare, but, crucially, it looks like there’s plenty of leg-room for the back seats. The dash has also been simplified, with very few visible buttons and everything controlled through a new infotainment system with a big, 8-inch touchscreen.
There’s loads of tech, too. You get 15-watt wireless charging, near-field communication to make pairing your phone easier, four standard USB ports, an SD memory card slot and a whole bunch of parking cameras and assistance systems. That’s all delivered through a new generation of Cadillac’s Vue user experience, which the brand says is better than the last one. Which wouldn’t be difficult to achieve, if we’re honest.
Anyway, power-wise, your only option is a 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder, which develops 237 bhp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac promises “surprising responsiveness” throughout the engine’s rev range. You also get a nine-speed automatic gearbox with a new paddle-shift system, and a twin-clutch, all-wheel-drive system.
Active suspension dampers are an optional extra, but they should help with the ride more than the handling. Cadillac also promises sporting driving dynamics, but we’re holding out hope that the XT4 will be more comfortable than it is sporting. With the exception of a couple of cars, SUVs don’t tend to be very good when they’re given the sporty treatment.
Prices will start at around AED 131,500 when the XT4 goes on sale later this year.
What do you think, MotorGeeks?
