2023 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars of the past, maintaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the brand developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90. The 2022 XC90, launched as a 2016 model, was Volvo's flagship SUV, featuring a sleek, athletic design with pronounced wheel arches and a snub nose reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. The interior boasted "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" aesthetics, with natural wood and metal trim, a clear crystal gear selector handle, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to offer affordable luxury but fell short in some areas. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, featured materials that seemed more fitting for a Buick or top-trim Chevy. Despite this, the XT5 provided good headroom and legroom in both rows, with synthetic leather upholstery standard and genuine leather available in higher trims. The panoramic sunroof added a light and airy feel to the interior. The XT5's cargo space was above average, with 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid combining a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. The T5 models were front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. All models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 had an EV range of up to 36 miles and a combined rating of 66 MPGe. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either FWD or AWD. The base powertrain accelerated from 0-60 mph in the high-seven-second range but sounded rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement and had a less refined ride quality compared to rivals. The XT5's fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined for the turbo-four FWD to 18/25/21 mpg for the V6 AWD.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for children but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even in high temperatures and humidity.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior had more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected but included useful storage spaces. The center console storage bin was deeper than anticipated, and the glove box was suitable for paperwork. Front-seat ergonomics were good, with easy-to-reach controls. The rear seats had large seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made accessing the cargo area easy.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering familiar smartphone gestures like pinch, pull, and swipe. However, the system was sometimes glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The XC90 came with a standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. The vehicle included multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's CUE infotainment system ran on an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate controls. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate control and steering wheel functions. Cadillac offered a Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation. The XT5's infotainment system was not as advanced as Volvo's but was user-friendly and not distracting for the driver.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's 2021 model received top "Good" scores in all crash test areas from the IIHS but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to "Marginal" headlight scores. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and a vibrating safety alert seat. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking assist. The XT5's crash prevention system earned an "Advanced" rating, with the optional system rated "Superior."