2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Cadillac had been working to restore its reputation for refinement, and the 2021 XT5 showcased this effort. The SUV carried over the 2020 model's 40 upgrades, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. Its exterior featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut-and-sewn leather and natural wood accents in the Premium Luxury trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of Hyundai's new EV sub-brand, presented a polished yet minimalist exterior. Its Parametric Pixel design was both fascinating and frustrating, with pixelated lighting elements used extensively. The interior, however, was a stark contrast, offering a "Living Space" theme with mellow hues and sustainable materials. The cabin featured a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat and used recycled fibers and bio-materials, emphasizing comfort and eco-friendliness.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. 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 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, especially in Sport mode. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and two drive configurations, RWD and AWD. The base SE Standard Range had a single 128-kW rear motor with 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants featured a 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD models had a dual-motor system with a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various road conditions, with Sport mode adding excitement but reducing range. Paddle shifters adjusted regenerative braking levels, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, though the back seat offered limited headroom for tall occupants. The front seats were not as comfortable on long trips due to hard bottom cushions. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors, but featured a deep rear cargo area with a cargo-management system. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It offered 133.7 cubic feet of interior volume, more than its competitors. The Ioniq 5's cabin featured soft touch points and a moveable center console, creating a spacious and comfortable environment. The leatherette seats were supportive and comfortable, with a modern take on the retro front bench seat allowing easy entry and exit.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured an elegant infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The climate control system provided haptic feedback, and a chrome toggle switch adjusted the temperature. The XT5 offered a rotary controller for the infotainment system, one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and wireless charging. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and head-up display (HUD) were also offered.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted next-generation technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, and Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit vehicle features and monitor driving habits.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) offered Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also featured a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting. Safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, but Hyundai's recent track record suggested high marks.