2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

Cadillac employed a “Y” trim level strategy for its vehicles, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured Premium Luxury trim, which was more luxurious and less sporty. It came with front-wheel drive (FWD), Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660 including a $995 destination charge. The XT4's crisp, tailored styling, especially with the 20-inch alloy wheels, made it one of the most visually appealing Cadillac crossovers. The interior was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a familiar and fun design. Its curvy, car-like lines and resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup gave it a modern family transportation look. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in pricier models clashing with low-quality plastics. The base CR-V started at an MSRP of $26,270, with four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim offered a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with AWD as a $1,500 option. The CR-V featured standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with larger wheels available on higher trims, and fabric seating on lower trims, with leather available on higher trims. A retractable moonroof was standard on all but the LX trim, and roof rails were only on the Touring model.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 rpm to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the EPA rating the FWD XT4 at 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4’s lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, though the optional twin-clutch AWD system was recommended to limit front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, albeit less frequently, in Sport mode. Paddle shifters offered a solution, though their effectiveness was hard to perceive. The XT4’s interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, though the oversized wheels offered impressive grip and the brakes performed well.

For 2020, the Honda CR-V lineup was simplified, with the 2.4-liter engine replaced by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The turbo four-cylinder powertrain was well-matched to the CR-V, with the CVT providing a credible imitation of a conventional automatic. The CR-V’s road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nicely weighted steering, and nimble handling. The CR-V’s low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its acceleration, handling, and fuel economy. FWD CR-V models were rated at 30 mpg combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced for 2020, offered even higher fuel economy.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4’s driver and front passenger enjoyed comfort with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4’s air conditioning system was highly effective, rapidly cooling the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an innovative angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the XT4’s cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging, offering a roomy cabin with good head- and legroom. The CR-V’s excellent seating position and low cowl provided great front visibility. The cargo compartment matched the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume, despite the CR-V being three inches shorter. Clever storage solutions included a deep center console with a sliding cover and a two-position load floor in the rear, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The door pockets were also spacious, making the CR-V easy to live with for daily use.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth for two devices. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. The test car lacked some features like a head-up display (HUD) and a rear camera mirror.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen standard on the LX trim, offering limited features like Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora compatibility. The 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims was still small compared to competitors, and the system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, and the smartphone apps felt tacked on. The CR-V Touring trim added a wireless phone charger for 2020. The CR-V had plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the 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. Adaptive cruise control was available in the Driver Assist Package, along with high-speed automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. The Enhanced Visibility Package offered a rear pedestrian alert system, rear-view camera mirror, surround-view camera system, and semi-autonomous parking assist system. The XT4 earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the “Honda Sensing” system as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were standard, with blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring available on EX trims and above. The CR-V earned five stars from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS awarded the CR-V a Top Safety Pick designation, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility. NHTSA issued one safety recall for the 2020 CR-V for a possible rear subframe failure, affecting 358 vehicles.