2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that balanced between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It incorporated Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, but not a particularly graceful one. 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 interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it feel less distinctive compared to its competitors.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level added a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. The Terrain’s interior was roomy and featured numerous comfort-enhancing elements, such as power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain offered a range of storage solutions and a decent cargo capacity, though the quality of materials and execution of details reflected its lower price point.

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 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which offered a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing a nimble feel without being overly sensitive. The cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and towing capacity, was no longer available. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission did a decent job of keeping the Terrain in the torque band, though there was a delay off the line. The Terrain AT4 featured a four-wheel independent suspension and 17-inch wheels with sport-terrain tires, offering 7.9 inches of ground clearance. The ride was smooth on highways and city streets, though the AT4 struggled with off-road conditions. The steering was numb and slightly heavy, and the brakes had a subtle dead spot. The Terrain AT4’s powertrain met fuel economy expectations, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It had more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 also had more legroom in both rows, though it trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available. The center console housed a rotary controller for the infotainment system and the shifter, but lacked ample storage space.

The 2022 GMC Terrain’s interior was spacious for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. The back seat was roomy, offering proper support and plenty of legroom. The Terrain provided 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat down for longer items added to its practicality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with 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 with 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 user-friendly. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems. The SLE trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featured an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen could be upgraded with connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly accurate and responsive. The optional Tech Package added a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Terrain also featured a Tire Fill Alert system and a remote engine starting system.

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 scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly “Good” crash-test scores from IIHS, though it earned a “Marginal” rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain’s crashworthiness at the time of this review.