2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling, positioned between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more conventional designs of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, leaving little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, making a statement of wealth and taste. Its design was a scaled-down version of the larger Range Rover, maintaining the iconic proportions and features such as the trapezoidal roof, sweptback fascia, and signature grille. The Velar’s exterior was both blocky and streamlined, with subtle adjustments like the sloping roof and wide shoulder crease. Special details included taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti’s NACA ducts. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar’s cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and exemplary fit and finish, even in the base trim. The three screens offered sharp graphics, and upper trims featured additional luxury touches.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without requiring constant corrections. The cabin was notably quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune: 340 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, or 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid setup helped reduce fuel consumption and emissions while delivering high performance. The Velar’s standard Terrain Response system included six driving modes, but its street-focused design limited off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered favorable interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows but trailed in rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient rear cushioning. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing competitors like the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the center console featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar’s design sacrifices practicality for style, and it lacked a discrete control for the parking brake, which was integrated into the transmission button. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a simplified layout and faster response. However, the Velar’s redesign of critical controls for cost-cutting purposes was frustrating.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with 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 with the optional Technology Package. While usability was improved over previous systems, the XT5’s tech offerings were merely adequate compared to competitors with larger screens and more sophisticated features. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were poorly placed, and the rotary controller was not user-friendly. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar’s Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations, offering a simplified layout with logical arrangements and customizable features. The system included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and a heated windshield. The navigation system provided intelligent route suggestions and traffic detours. The 4x4 app detailed off-road measurements, and the 360-degree cameras offered a three-dimensional view. The instrument panel was versatile, though the driving assist display lacked detail. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and other safety features. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” LATCH rating.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored well in the European NCAP. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.