2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, blending high-end materials, advanced tech, and a powerful engine. However, its cabin felt more akin to a Buick or a top-trim Chevy rather than a true luxury vehicle. Despite this, the XT5's interior was intuitively laid out and spacious across both rows, with above-average cargo space of 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the XT5 more intuitive but also somewhat dated. The cabin lacked the memorable or unique touches found in competitors like the Porsche Macan or Volvo XC60.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. The ID.4's design was distinctly EV, lacking the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance. Built on VW’s MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with various models, including the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van. The interior boasted a minimalist design and quality materials, even in the base ID.4 Standard model. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fibers was standard, and the cabin offered ample space and functionality.

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 available in FWD or AWD. Acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range, but the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An optional V6 engine delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, offering better performance but still lacking driving excitement. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with noticeable vibration and noise in the cabin. The XT5's fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for the turbo-four FWD, to 18/25/21 mpg for the V6 AWD.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, with RWD only. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack, available in RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models upped output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's driving dynamics were comfortable and refined, though it allowed too much body roll for truly entertaining handling. Regenerative braking was present but did not support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for new EV drivers.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected, but it offered plenty of useful storage spaces. The center console storage bin was deeper than anticipated, and front-seat ergonomics were good. The maximum cargo space of 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats expanded to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it competitive in its class. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor facilitated easy access. Compared to rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70, the XT5 offered generous cargo space.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more front and rear legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. With 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, the ID.4 outperformed most entry-level EVs in practicality. It also offered some towing capability, with a quoted capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone spot, and available three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 and steering wheel controls, contrasting with the touch-based controls of rivals like the Porsche Macan. Cadillac offered a Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation. The CUE system was not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system but was user-friendly and not overly distracting.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and natural-language voice recognition were also standard. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback. The ID.Light feature provided ambient lighting and navigation cues but was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It earned top "Good" scores in all crash tests, a "Marginal" score for headlights, and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for crash prevention. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.