2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform. This platform was shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles, contributing to a cohesive design language across the lineup. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored crossover design with short front and rear overhangs, athletic body sides, and crisp details. The upright grille proudly displayed Volvo’s iron mark logo, and the front headlights included an LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor’s hammer, a distinctly Swedish design element. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, and the large alloy wheels added to its fashionable appearance.

Inside, the XC60’s cabin was a showcase of Scandinavian design, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail in elements like the HVAC vents elevated the interior to near-luxury status. The textures and colors throughout the cabin were harmonious, making it a very pleasant place to spend time.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5, on the other hand, had a styling that fell somewhere between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional looks of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It mixed Cadillac’s trademark design cues, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, with a compact footprint and tall profile, resulting in an unmistakably Cadillac but somewhat ungainly appearance. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had different exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5 Luxury and Premium Luxury models came with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport models had 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the XT5’s 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, the interior design lacked a strong theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to its competitors. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury-vehicle standards, and the overall design didn’t make a strong statement.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, which were plug-in hybrids (PHEV), added an 87-hp electric motor, bringing the total output to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased the output to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque.

Our test vehicle, the XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, was the most potent variant, capable of driving up to 19 miles on electric power alone. The XC60 felt solid and secure on the road, with a smooth suspension and a quiet cabin, making it an excellent road-trip car. The EPA fuel economy figures ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV and 57 MPGe combined in electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was recommended for all models.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6-liter V6, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our test car, equipped with the optional V6, felt reasonably quick and had smooth, linear power delivery. The nine-speed automatic provided quick shifts without the delay often associated with transmissions with many gears. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which provided a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, making the XT5 feel nimble without being overly sensitive. The cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed to provide comfort and style while ensuring safety. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them comfortable even in sub-freezing temperatures. The heating system, rear glass heater, windshield defroster, washer, and wipers were all effective in dealing with winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, with secure storage in the center console, dashboard, door panels, and seatbacks. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It was also rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably to its German competitors in terms of interior space. It offered more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. The XT5 had more legroom in both rows but less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. Cadillac quoted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, beating the Q5, X3, and GLC but trailing 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 there wasn’t much room for other items.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system was intuitive for frequent iPad users, with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The screen was divided into function quadrants, making it easy to navigate between audio, navigation, vehicle, and communication functions. However, there was a learning curve, and it could be distracting to use while driving. The XC60 included Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a free three-month trial. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was exceptional.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 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 the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the array of secondary controls, including a 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 Volvo XC60 benefited from Volvo’s long-standing commitment to safety. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The XC60 also offered Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, which integrated adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety reasons.

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 and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.