2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, including a new engine option and revised styling, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021. The SUV featured a snub-nosed exterior with distinct trim level differentiation, standard LED lights, and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the XT5's Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a more upscale feel than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned in 2019, retained a familiar look with its boxy, upright shape, appealing to SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its appearance. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared underpinnings with other Subaru models, maintaining a rugged SUV image. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense materials promised durability, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower trims, while higher trims offered leather and heated features.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, with jittery shifts in Sport mode. The XT5's throttle response was immediate, though it could benefit from more low-end torque. Fuel economy varied, with the AWD V6 achieving about 25 mpg, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. The Forester's power felt adequate but lacked thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension tuning prioritized comfort, resulting in poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. AWD was standard, with X-Mode and Dual X-Mode available for different surfaces. The Forester's ground clearance of 8.7 inches and hill-descent control on higher trims enhanced its off-road capability.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though the back seat offered limited headroom for tall occupants. Cargo space was 30 cubic feet, less than some competitors, but the deep rear cargo area was useful despite wheel bump-outs. The XT5's cargo-management system and hands-free liftgate added convenience. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them down. The Forester offered more cargo space than some rivals but lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on higher trims. The Forester's cupholders and center console were reasonably sized, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average phone, and wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rotary controller. The system included a one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and USB ports. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror, a fully-digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display. The climate control system, housed in Piano Black plastic, provided haptic feedback and included a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also featured a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were available on all trims. The XT5 also included a rear-seat reminder, a rearview camera, and optional Night Vision technology, enhancing nighttime drivability. General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit vehicle features and monitor driving habits.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with EyeSight, a suite of driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Subaru's DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.