2021 Honda CR-V vs 2020 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 featured Premium Luxury trim, 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. Visually, the XT4 was one of the most appealing Cadillac crossovers, with crisp, tailored styling and proper proportions, though it had an excessive front overhang. The interior was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended in with other compact crossovers, with few distinguishing features. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though many were shades of gray, black, or white, with more vibrant colors limited to higher trims. The interior offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level, with wood panels and more chrome available on higher trims. The seats had a modern, angular design, and while the CR-V's styling was not a major selling point, it was functional and comfortable.

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. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's torque provided a lively driving character, though 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 that persisted, though less frequently, in Sport mode. 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 provided impressive grip and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) held engine revs constant as the vehicle gained speed, offering a smooth but less engaging driving experience compared to competitors with conventional transmissions. The CR-V came standard with FWD, with AWD available as an option. The suspension consisted of a MacPherson strut setup in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, providing decent handling and ride quality.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, with ample legroom but a flat cushion. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the interior during a heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin had plenty of storage space. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized function, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. The tailgate varied by trim, with manual operation on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free version on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear, making it a practical choice for families.

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 complemented by intuitive 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 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions. The audio system varied by trim, with a 180-watt system on the Special Edition and EX, a slightly upgraded system on the EX-L, and a 300-watt system with a subwoofer on the Touring. The Touring trim also offered a satellite navigation system with voice recognition. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front console and second row, and a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several safety features for the 2020 model year, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. The Premium Luxury and 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 XT4 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an Acceptable rating. Honda's approach to safety was to include the Honda Sensing system as standard on all trims, offering features like a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the EX trim and above.