2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen’s gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was part of VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. Despite its SUV-like styling, the ID.4 didn’t quite look like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. The interior design blended Volkswagen’s minimalism with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available on higher trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 mixed Cadillac’s trademark design cues with a compact footprint and tall profile, resulting in an unmistakably Cadillac yet somewhat ungainly appearance. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had distinct exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels were available on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, while the Sport model came with 20-inch wheels. The interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, and a microfiber sueded headliner. However, without this package, the XT5’s interior didn’t quite meet luxury-car standards. The design lacked a strong theme, unlike competitors such as the Volvo XC60 or Lincoln Corsair.

At launch, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was available with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This made it the first rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, boosting power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered increased power and traction. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 didn’t offer aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes to provide a familiar driving experience for those transitioning from gasoline cars.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the Sport model and available on the Premium Luxury trim, produced 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The V6 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the nine-speed automatic. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which excelled at providing a comfortable ride while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering a quick ratio without being overly sensitive. The XT5’s cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though its legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than several EV competitors but less than gasoline models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk (frunk), but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. However, rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the narrow center console, which offered limited storage for larger items. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats proved effective in cold weather, though the driver’s seat lacked thigh support.

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 compared to its German rivals but less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, beating the Q5, X3, and GLC but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available. The center console housed a rotary controller for the infotainment system and the shifter, but space was limited. A small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display screen serving as the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear, which looked cool but were difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. While some features seemed gimmicky, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available as part of the optional Technology Package. While usability was improved over previous Cadillac systems, the XT5’s tech still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size, graphics, and voice recognition. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, which provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were new standard features for 2021, with Travel Assist providing automated lane centering and Emergency Assist bringing the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it received a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.