2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that balanced 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 incorporated 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, but not a particularly graceful one.

The XT5’s trim levels, Premium Luxury and Sport, offered slightly different exterior styling cues to give each model a unique personality. The Premium Luxury trim featured bright chrome accents, while the Sport trim had darker trim and a mesh grille. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels were included on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, with 20-inch wheels standard on the Sport model. Optional Onyx and Radiant styling packages provided additional customization with dark and bright chrome, respectively, along with 20-inch wheels.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, introduced subtle exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned grille, and a fresh rear liftgate. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda’s ambition to position itself as a premium brand. Despite these changes, the CX-5 maintained its familiar look.

Inside, the CX-5 Signature trim continued to impress with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats for 2022 provided improved comfort, addressing previous complaints about the front seats. The CX-5 also introduced a more confusing trim lineup, with the 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo models offering various configurations. The 2.5 S trim focused on fuel efficiency, while the 2.5 Turbo prioritized performance. Our test vehicle, a 2.5 Turbo, came equipped with optional Soul Red paint, a navigation system, a rear bumper guard, and a package including roof rails and crossbars, totaling $39,445.

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 engine, 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.

Our test car, equipped with the optional V6, felt reasonably quick, providing ample power for everyday driving. The V6’s linear power delivery and the smooth, quick shifts from the nine-speed automatic impressed us. The performance suspension with adaptive dampers, part of the optional Platinum Package, offered a comfortable ride, cushioning bumps while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without requiring constant corrections. The cabin’s quietness further enhanced the luxury experience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) contributed to a fuel economy of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model, running on premium gas, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, with slightly lower figures on regular gas. The EPA rated the 2.5 Turbo at 24 mpg in combined driving, though our test saw 21.1 mpg.

Both 2.5 Turbo trims and the 2.5 S Premium and Premium Plus models included Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings. The 2022 CX-5 benefited from increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride. The improved driving dynamics, reduced noise, vibration, and harshness, and enhanced cabin quietude made the CX-5 a legitimate alternative to entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It provided more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. The XT5 also trailed its German rivals in rear headroom but offered more legroom in both rows. However, the front seats had narrow bottom cushions and could have used more padding, while the rear seats needed additional cushioning. The XT5’s seats were above average for a mainstream SUV but fell short of luxury standards.

Cadillac quoted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing 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 a handy storage spot for small items.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its front seats with new furnishings, offering improved comfort and support. The driving position was sportier, with a more natural relationship to the steering wheel and controls. All CX-5 models, except the 2.5 S base trim, included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. Our 2.5 Turbo test vehicle featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, particularly the Mazda Connect infotainment system, remained a source of frustration due to the lack of a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition. However, once acclimated, the center console controls were manageable. Storage space was adequate, with a small bin under the center armrest and wireless smartphone charging in a tray forward of the transmission shifter. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, comparing favorably to entry-level luxury SUVs but less impressive against mainstream compact crossovers.

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 usability was improved over previous Cadillac systems, the tech remained merely adequate compared to other luxury brands offering larger screens, slicker graphics, and more sophisticated voice recognition.

The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, was less user-friendly. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5’s quiet interior.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. Mazda believed touch interfaces caused driver distraction, and the system lacked natural voice recognition. Instead, users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls. Over time, users could acclimate to Mazda’s approach, but the lack of a touchscreen and advanced voice recognition was a drawback.

Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a generous three-year trial subscription. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, the CX-5 included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, which performed well. SiriusXM satellite radio was also standard from this trim level.

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 Safety Alert Seat vibrated when a warning system was triggered. An 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. Blind-spot monitoring was available, but the XT5 did not offer the advanced Super Cruise driver-assist system.

The XT5 received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech with optional enhanced automatic emergency braking. However, it received a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the XT5 a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash testing.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 included a comprehensive i-Activsense package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a driver monitoring system, and Traffic Jam Assist.

i-Activsense operated mostly in the background, with tactile and audible alerts available. The head-up display showed blind-spot warnings, reducing the need to look at side mirrors. The IIHS awarded the 2022 CX-5 a “Top Safety Pick+” rating, a distinction few rivals could match.