The XT5 is Cadillac’s most popular model and its 2020 model has the style and features you would want in a compact crossover. However, it is lacking when it comes to driving engagement and luxurious interior. Nonetheless, it is a good option for those who are looking for passenger comfort, adequate cargo space and ride refinement. A worthy opponent to Cadillac’s famous XT5 is Audi’s also popular model, the 2020 Audi Q5. This midsize SUV comes with cultured styling and an impressive powertrain. But like Cadillac XT5, it also fails some expectations such as its limited cargo space. The question is which is better? Let us take a closer look to find out the answer.
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INTERIOR COMPARISON
2020 Cadillac XT5 Interior
This two-row compact SUV can seat five passengers. While all seats provide a good amount of comfort and legroom, the rear seats lack headroom for taller passengers plus visibility is poor in all directions. Its interior quality is fair. While the cabin elements and materials used are nice enough, they do not live up to the standard of a luxurious vehicle. Wind noise inside the cabin and some panels rattling when driving fast also make the riding experience less desirable.
When it comes to cargo space, the XT5 has 30.2 cubic feet at the back of its rear seats and can expand to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. It has an average cargo space size for luxury midsize SUV class. A power liftgate comes standard and you have the option of upgrading to a hands-free liftgate.
The CUE infotainment system with its 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, satellite radio, an 8-speaker Bose premium stereo, four USB ports and Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard. You have the option to have wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Bose stereo, navigation and an 8-inch driver information display. The CUE infotainment system has been redesigned to be more user-friendly. It is easy to operate and comes with secondary buttons so users no longer have to use the touch screen for all functions. However, the system can be a bit slower, and the screen can be challenging to view in bright sunlight. Cadillac is falling behind others when it comes to screen size as most of its rivals have bigger displays.
2020 Audi Q5 Interior
This midsize SUV can seat five people just like the Cadillac XT5. All seats have adequate head-and legroom for adults, and offer ample comfort and support. The only drawback is the middle seat has limited foot room because it is positioned over a high floor hump. The ambience of the interior also lives up to your expectation in an Audi. The cabin looks great and premium materials were used. It has a standard leather upholstery and wood trim which give the interior of the Q5 a luxurious feel.
When it comes to cargo space, the Q5 trails behind its class rivals. It only has 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and increases to 53.1 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.
An infotainment system with a 7-inch display, a tri-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker system, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports come standard. An 8.3-inch infotainment display, wireless device charging, a 19-speaker premium audio system, the MMi All-in-Touch system with handwriting recognition, a panoramic sunroof, a Wi-Fi hotspot and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit are optional. The physical controls of the standard infotainment system make the system user-friendly. Those who are tech-savvy will enjoy the MMI All-In-Touch system. It allows you to pinch to zoom on the touch screen like you can on a tablet or smartphone plus it allows you to write commands using your fingers.
Verdict:
Audi Q5 beats the Cadillac XT5 when it comes to opulence on its interior. It also gives more comfort and more head- and legroom in all its seats. Both offer almost the same features in their infotainment systems, and the Q5 is only slightly ahead of XT5 due to its more advanced offering–the MMI All-In-Touch System. But Cadillac XT5 provides more cargo space.
SAFETY
Both the 2020 Cadillac XT5 and Audi Q5 have child safety locks to prevent kids from opening the rear doors. The Audi Q5 has power child safety locks which enables the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver’s seat. It also allows the driver to know when the child safety locks are engaged. The Cadillac XT5 does not have this power safety lock feature. Child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door using a manual switch. Also, the driver needs to open the doors to check the status of the locks.
The Audi Q5 also has more to offer than the Cadillac XT5 when it comes to collision safety features. The Secondary Collision Brake Assist which automatically applies the brakes when a crash happens so as to help avoid secondary collisions and avoid further injuries. The XT5 doesn’t provide a post collision braking system so if ever a collision happens that triggers that deployment of an airbag, more collisions can happen without the protection of the airbags that may have already been opened.
The Q5 comes standard with All-Wheel drive to provide maximum stability and traction on all roads. But you have to shell out more money to get that on the XT5. Both SUVs have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, side-impact head airbags, front side-impact airbags, around view monitors, height adjustable front shoulder belts, rear cross-path warning, height adjustable front shoulder belts, rear view cameras, four-wheel antilock brakes, lane departure warning systems, traction control, blind spot warning systems, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and crash mitigating brakes.
The Audi Q5 again beats the Cadillac XT5 in front crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Results indicated that the Q5 is safer than the XT5.
Verdict: Q5 winner by landslide
Performance Battle
XT5 Performance
The 2020 XT5 has decent power with its 237-horsepower turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder base engine. This engine is more fuel efficient than the previously standard V6 but it compromises on the horsepower. The V6 with its 310 horses is only available in upper trims.
Though the V6 is more robust than the standard 4-cylinder engine, it is not as muscular as some of its competitors, and it can be a little noisy at higher revs. Front-wheel drive and a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission come standard with both engines. All-wheel drive is an option.
One of the most commendable features of the base XT5 is its impressive fuel economy estimates for a luxury SUV of its size at 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The trims with V6 engines lose 3 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on highway.
The 2020 XT5 offers a cushioned and pleasant ride on most surfaces. Its driving dynamics has improved for its 2020 model but it is still not as engaging as some of its class rivals. The new XT5 Sport does provide performance upgrades for driving enthusiasts.
A properly equipped XT5 has a 3,500-pound towing capacity. All trims except the base model offer towing assistance features such as engine cooling, hitch guidance and high guidance with hitch view.
Q5 Performance
Q5’s standard 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder base engine may sound underwhelming but in actuality this engine gives off plenty of energy. You won’t feel underpowered on the highway at all. But if you are seeking for more thrill you can step it up with Q5’s 349-horsepower twin-turbo V6.
Its fuel economy is typical for a luxury compact SUV earning 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Q5 also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to its ride and handling. It may not match Porsche Macan’s agility, but it does handle well for a compact SUV. The Q5 is fairly nimble on winding roads and you won’t feel too much body lean. It still rides smooth on rough pavements.
Verdict: Audi Q5 tops Cadillac XT5 on overall performance.
Reliability
The XT5’s engine uses an aluminum block, while the Q5’s engines use cast iron block for durability. Aluminum engine blocks are more likely to warp and crack when subjected to high temperatures than cast iron blocks.
When you say a vehicle is reliable, it does not waste your time and money. Plus, it doesn’t get you into trouble. No one wants to be stranded or end up with no vehicle to drive because it is being repaired. The Audi Q5’s reliability score is 40 points higher than that of the XT5 based on Consumer Reports rating. On top of that, J.D. Power puts Audi in 8th place when it comes to reliability which is above the industry average, while Cadillac only placed in 23rd position having 42 more issues per 100 vehicles. The ranking is based on J.D. Power’s 2019 survey of the owners of three-year old vehicles. Audi beats Cadillac again when it comes to long-term dependability statistics.
Warranty
The Cadillac XT5 comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty, while the Q5 is covered by Audi with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.
Ergonomics
The Cadillac’s XT5 rear power window switches need to be held the entire time to fully close the windows. On the other hand, Audi Q5’s front and rear power windows are more convenient at toll booths, drive-throughs or when you have to talk to someone outside as they can all open or close with one touch of the switches.
The driver of an Audi Q5 can also close all windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote in case you left a window or windows open. The windows can also be lowered from a distance using the keyless remote. On the other hand, the driver of the XT5 can only close the windows from the inside and the ignition should be on.
A Q5 driver can also concentrate on driving on the rain without constantly adjusting the wipers as it comes standard with rain-sensitive wipers that can adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Cadillac XT5’s standard does not have this as it only comes with manually variable intermittent wipers that have to be constantly adjusted.
The Audi Q5 comes standard with heated windshield washer nozzles to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XT5 doesn’t provide this feature.
The Audi Q5 offers a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console allowing you to quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out. The base trim of the Cadillac XT5 does not have this as only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport provides wireless charging.
Cost
The base trim of XT5 starts at about $44,000 which makes this Cadillac one of the cheapest SUVs in the class. The highest trim can cost around $56,000.
The Q5 Premium trim costs around $43,300 making it one of the higher starting prices in the class and the Q5 prestige price reaches upward of $53,700.
The Final Call:
The 2020 Cadillac’s XT5’s affordable base price, abundance of standard features and high predicted reliability rating make it a good solid choice in the luxury midsize SUV class. However, it is outclassed by the 2020 Audi Q5 which has far nicer cabin materials, more premium standard features, better ergonomics and sportier driving dynamics. The Q5 is without a doubt the better choice. It gives you a comfortable ride, opulent interior and is engaging to drive. On top of that, it has oodles of easy-to-use tech features. It may be pricier than the rest of the class, but it has a lot to offer for its price tag so you’ll sure get a bang for your buck.