2021 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a design that embraced the era of "postmodern automotive styling," with its massive corporate grille fitting well with the vehicle's stout, chunky styling. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the Q3's cabin mirrored this modern aesthetic, with a dash design that prominently framed the center touchscreen. When the interior debuted in 2019, it was a standout, but as Volkswagen's interiors began to catch up, the Q3's cabin, while still modern and refined, felt less unique.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5's styling was a mix of Cadillac's trademark design cues, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, with a compact footprint and tall profile. This combination resulted in an unmistakably Cadillac look, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered different exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5's interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for standout features, and lacked a strong design theme, making it less distinctive compared to other luxury brands.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a lively driving experience, with solid power for passing and engaging drive modes like "S" or Sport mode. The Q3's handling was nimble, offering a comfortable ride that balanced dynamic engagement with refined ride quality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, produced 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided linear power delivery and smooth shifts, and the optional Platinum Package included a "performance suspension" with adaptive dampers, enhancing the XT5's luxury driving experience. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, and the cabin was notably quiet.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space was subpar for the class, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, providing comfortable front seats and impressive rear headroom and legroom. It could seat five, but four passengers could travel comfortably on a road trip.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably to German luxury crossovers in terms of interior space, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. It had more legroom in both rows, but the seats, while comfortable, fell short of luxury standards. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but trailing the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the front included a small cubbyhole for additional storage.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi's MMI system, with standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless device charging and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit offered a customizable digital display, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available in the optional Technology Package. While usability improved over previous systems, the XT5's tech offerings were merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound, complementing the XT5's quiet interior.

The 2021 Audi Q3 included standard safety features like Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.