Chevrolet Equinox vs Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a “Y” trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle, equipped with Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660 including destination charges. The XT4's exterior, especially with 20-inch alloy wheels, was visually appealing with crisp, tailored styling, though it had an excessive front overhang. Inside, the cabin was pleasant with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premier, priced at $40,040 including destination charges, featured a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive, a power panoramic sunroof, and a Confidence and Convenience II option package. The Equinox Premier had a clean design with 19-inch wheels, gray contrast cladding, roof rails, and extra chrome detailing. The interior, outfitted in Jet Black and Brandy leather with a panoramic sunroof and metallic accents, looked upscale but felt less so due to the presence of hard, shiny plastics. The cabin's high-contrast design was visually appealing, but the materials used did not always match the premium look.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the FWD model achieving an EPA-rated 26 mpg, though the test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's torque provided a lively driving character, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem somewhat mitigated in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with both speed humps and smaller bumps, though the oversized wheels provided impressive grip and the brakes performed well.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.0-liter turbo engine with 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 1.5-liter engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, averaged 24.3 mpg in AWD, below the EPA's 28 mpg rating. The 2.0-liter engine, with a nine-speed automatic transmission, averaged 22.1 mpg, also below the EPA's 24 mpg rating. Both versions had firm ride qualities and more road and wind noise than desirable. The Premier's 19-inch wheels and 235/50 tires provided a more athletic feel on winding roads, with well-controlled body motions and natural steering and braking response.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior featured soft leather, padded armrests, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, with a spacious rear passenger compartment. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, and the climate controls were elegantly arranged. Storage space was ample, with innovative features like umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LS had cloth upholstery with a 10-way power driver's seat, while the Premier featured leather, an 8-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Equinox's sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space, with generous legroom in the rearmost position. Cargo volume measured 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The cabin offered plenty of storage, including a large center console storage bin and various bins, trays, and cubbies throughout.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was easier to use than previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch touchscreen was intuitive, with multiple ways to interact, including controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could be larger, and the climate system was not integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays, all including Bluetooth pairing for two devices, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. Upgrades included a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, improved voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The Equinox's technology was intuitive and easy to use, with additional features like wireless smartphone charging and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment. Premium Luxury or Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. A reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane change warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Equinox received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and 5-star ratings from the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating for rollover resistance.