Cadillac XT5 vs Toyota bZ

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its interior materials fell short of expectations for a luxury brand, resembling those found in a Buick or high-end Chevy. Despite this, the cabin was well-organized and spacious, offering good headroom and legroom in both rows. The XT5's cargo space was a standout feature, providing 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, which was above average for its class. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the XT5 more intuitive to use compared to rivals that opted for all-touch interfaces, though this choice also contributed to a somewhat dated feel.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota bZ presented a more modern and refined appearance, especially with its restyled body-color trim. The interior featured a new dashboard and center console design that enhanced the sense of quality and organization. The XLE trim's fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate controls effectively, despite initial concerns. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. Overall, the bZ's interior improvements and thoughtful design choices made it a more appealing option for those seeking a contemporary feel.

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. 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 could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance, though the XT5 lacked driving excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with noticeable cabin noise and vibration. The XT5's fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city to 29 mpg highway with the turbo-four and FWD, while the V6 and AWD combination offered 18/25 mpg.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between a single electric motor with a 57.7-kWh battery pack, producing 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, and a dual-motor setup with a 74.7-kWh battery, delivering 338 hp. The XLE FWD variant with the larger battery provided 224 hp and an EPA-rated range of 314 miles. The dual-motor bZ models offered 288 miles of range for the XLE AWD and 278 miles for the Limited trim. Recharging the bZ using a DC fast charger took about 30 minutes to reach 80% from 10%, and a Level 2 home charger required seven hours for a full charge. The bZ's performance was agreeable for city driving, but its FWD setup and all-season tires limited its handling on winding roads.

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 options. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This was competitive in its class, surpassing rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70 in cargo capacity.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform with a battery under the passenger compartment, offered easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats featured eight-way power adjustment, and the Limited trim added ventilated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was tight. The bZ provided 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, reduced to 25.8 cubic feet in the Limited trim due to a JBL subwoofer. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to 56.9 cubic feet.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation were available options. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, while the infotainment system lacked a home screen for simultaneous data panels. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect feature powered the native navigation system and voice assistant, which performed well in testing. However, the lack of a tuning knob and low-contrast daytime mode were noted drawbacks.

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 due to a "Marginal" headlight rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear pedestrian braking.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs for added safety. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as "Good," but the headlights received a "Poor" rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned "Acceptable" ratings, falling short of a Top Safety Pick award.