2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling that sat between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional aesthetics of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, but its compact size and tall profile created an awkward mix. The XT5 was unmistakably a Cadillac, yet it lacked the grace typically associated with the brand. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent an evolutionary redesign, maintaining its broad, rounded face and large, unadorned sheet metal. The most notable change was at the rear, where thin LED strips replaced the old square taillights, enhancing its modern appeal. The Range Rover emphasized its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version, which added eight inches in length. Inside, the cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger tablet-like touchscreen, offering a modern look. The materials used were of excellent quality, with premium leather and rich wood trim elements, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover's interior was more refined than its competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7, and approached the quality of more expensive Maybach or Bentley alternatives.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered 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 XT5 Sport 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. The V6 provided a reasonably quick performance, with smooth and quick shifts, and the optional Platinum Package added a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, enhancing the ride quality. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, offering a nimble feel without being overly sensitive, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains. The base P400 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid component, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The P530, a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, increased output to 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 provided effortless acceleration, with Land Rover estimating a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. The Range Rover handled surprisingly well for its size, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. The standard rear-wheel-steering improved maneuverability, and the Terrain Response system optimized off-road capability without compromising ride quality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows, although it trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient rear cushioning. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC, but not the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover excelled in interior space, with ample room in the first two rows and excellent outward visibility. The front seats were generously cushioned, with available massage functions, and there was plenty of storage space, including two glove boxes and a large center console bin. The second row offered power recline and sliding adjustments, with additional climate controls and USB-C charge ports. The optional third row, accessible with a button, provided limited headroom for adults but adequate space for smaller passengers. Cargo space was 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 93 cubic feet with the second row down. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension height facilitated loading.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While usability improved over previous systems, the tech remained adequate, with smaller screens and less sophisticated voice recognition compared to rivals. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were cumbersome, with a rotary controller and poorly placed capacitive touchpads. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a larger 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complementing the wireless charging pad. The screen's lower placement required more attention, but basic climate controls were well-designed. The base Meridian audio system provided impressive sound, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade available. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote control via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, but only a "Marginal" headlight rating and "Acceptable" LATCH rating.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. While crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable, the Range Rover's safety features performed well during testing. Some rivals offered additional safety features, which might be added in future models.