2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on Hyundai's electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, with a focus on Parametric Pixel elements that gave it a concept car vibe. The interior, however, was a stark contrast, offering a serene and comfortable "Living Space" with sustainable materials and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 blended traditional Cadillac design cues with a compact footprint and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had distinct styling elements, 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 less distinctive compared to its competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range had a 128-kW rear motor producing 168 hp and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range models featured a 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and 303 miles of range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but a reduced range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking. It was quiet and composed, thanks to features that reduced noise, vibration, and harshness.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The optional 3.6-liter V6, standard on the Sport model, delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth and quick shifts, and the adaptive dampers in the Platinum Package offered a comfortable ride. The steering was well-suited for luxury driving, and the cabin was impressively quiet.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a long wheelbase and spacious interior. It had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger space. The center console was a moveable island, and the seats were comfortable and supportive. The Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger comfort over cargo space, with 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space.

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

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured a next-generation high-voltage system with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported 800-volt charging infrastructures and could reach 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 also offered a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the array of secondary controls was less user-friendly. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came standard with Hyundai SmartSense, which included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, although official ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist as standard. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.