2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling that fell somewhere between the cyberpunk angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional designs of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. With its bold grille, elongated daytime running lights, and vertical taillights, the XT5 made a clear nod to Cadillac’s design heritage. However, the compact footprint and tall profile made the vehicle appear somewhat awkward. The Premium Luxury and Sport models featured different exterior styling cues to add distinct personalities to the trim levels. The Premium Luxury trim boasted an abundance of chrome, reflecting a classic Cadillac look, while the Sport trim displayed darker trim and a mesh grille.

The test vehicle’s interior felt luxurious, largely due to the optional Platinum Package, which included semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. However, without the Platinum Package, it was unclear if the standard interior would meet luxury standards. The interior design lacked a strong thematic presence, making it feel less distinguishable compared to competitors like Volvo’s Swedish minimalism or Audi’s brand-specific markers.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC60 embodied timeless Scandinavian minimalism both inside and out. The XC60 offered three powertrains: the B5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the B6 with a turbocharged and supercharged mill, and the Recharge featuring a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system. Our test vehicle, a Recharge model with the Ultimate package, impressed with its Thunder Grey paint, blacked-out exterior trim, and 20-inch wheels. Despite aging, the overall aesthetic remained elegant and refined.

Inside, the XC60’s cabin was dominated by classic Scandinavian minimalism, beautifully executed with luxurious materials. Our test vehicle featured black leather with handsome wood trim, metal accents, nighttime ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof, elevating the interior to an opulent level. The Orrefors crystal gear selector knob added a touch of exclusive luxury, making the XC60’s interior both comfortable and visually pleasing.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury trim, generated 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which offered smooth and quick shifts, enhancing the driving experience.

During the test, the V6-equipped XT5 felt reasonably quick, providing adequate power for everyday driving situations. The vehicle’s performance suspension, included with the Platinum Package, offered a comfortable ride quality while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-balanced, contributing to a nimble yet stable driving experience. Additionally, the cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall sense of luxury.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. The Recharge model offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range. Multiple driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, allowed for customizable driving experiences.

The XC60 Recharge excelled in performance, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. In Power mode, the vehicle felt exceptionally responsive, with minimized body roll and enhanced steering feedback. The one-pedal driving feature, combined with regenerative brakes, maximized battery efficiency. Over a 65-mile evaluation route, the XC60 Recharge averaged 54.6 mpg, showcasing impressive fuel efficiency for a PHEV.

In terms of interior space, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive dimensions. The vehicle provided ample front headroom compared to the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though it trailed behind the BMW X3. The XT5 excelled in legroom for both front and rear passengers, but front seat comfort fell slightly short with narrow bottom cushions and limited padding in the rear seats. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 30 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 63 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. This outperformed the Q5, X3, and GLC-Class, although the Infiniti QX50 offered more cargo space overall.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 also delivered substantial interior comfort, particularly in the front seats, which were wrapped in soft Nappa leather with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions for improved thigh support. Rear seat comfort was equally impressive, though legroom was somewhat limited for taller passengers. The XC60 offered practical storage solutions, including door panel bins and a glovebox. The power liftgate opened to reveal 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While there was no underfloor storage, the XC60 featured a netted space for the charging cord and buttons to lower the air suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Although usability had improved over previous Cadillac systems, it still lagged behind competitors with larger screens and more sophisticated voice-recognition technology. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality, benefiting from the XT5’s quiet interior.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in. This setup included Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, along with compatibility with both Android and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment interface was intuitive and user-friendly, with excellent graphics and responsive voice-recognition capabilities. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system delivered sensational audio quality, though the Ultimate package’s Harman Kardon system was more than adequate.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Safety Alert Seat provided tactile feedback to alert drivers of potential hazards. Additional safety options included adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and night vision. The XT5 earned top “Good” ratings from the IIHS, with the exception of a “Marginal” headlight rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, renowned for its commitment to safety, came equipped with Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. Additional safety features included Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which prevented unsafe left turns across traffic. Although the NHTSA had not rated the XC60 Recharge, the B5 and B6 models received top ratings. The IIHS awarded the XC60 B5 and B6 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 calendar year.