2023 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior fell short of expectations for a high-end brand. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, featured materials that seemed more fitting for a Buick or a top-trim Chevy. Despite this, the XT5 offered above-average cargo space with 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, which helped compensate for its shortcomings. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive feel, though this choice made the cabin appear somewhat dated. The XT5's interior offered good headroom and legroom, with options for genuine leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in design from its boxy predecessors. The XC90's exterior was purposeful yet understated, with a bold grille and distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The interior exuded elegance, featuring two-tone leather, metal speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design incorporated wood deco inlays, creating a clean and sophisticated look. However, the XC90's interior had limited cubby space for small items, and accessing the third row was challenging. Despite these minor inconveniences, the XC90's design was a testament to Volvo's commitment to style and functionality.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came equipped 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. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The base powertrain accelerated from 0-60 mph in the high-seven-second range, but the engine sounded rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement and struggled with handling on broken pavement. Its EPA-rated fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city to 29 mpg highway for the turbo-four with FWD, and 18/25 mpg for the V6 with AWD.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's insulation minimized road and wind noise, and the brakes provided a solid pedal feel. The XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics, with limited customizable options, appealed to some drivers, while others might have found it underwhelming.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered ample storage spaces, including a deep center console bin and large seatback pockets. The front seats provided good ergonomics, while the rear seats had less generous storage. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it competitive in its class, surpassing rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70 in cargo capacity.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was peaceful and pleasant, though it lacked cubby space for small items. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet. While it fell short of competitors like the Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60 in cargo capacity, the XC90's smaller size contributed to its nimble driving experience.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate control and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive, though not as advanced as Volvo's Google OS.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's infotainment system ran on Google OS, featuring a 9-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver information display. It included Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. However, many functions were embedded within the touchscreen, leading to potential frustration. While the minimalist design was appealing, the lack of physical buttons for certain features could be inconvenient.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It received 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, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. It featured advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology helped maintain distance and lane position, providing a comprehensive suite of safety features as standard equipment.