Toyota 4Runner vs Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a "Y" trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trims. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages. The total cost was $45,660, including a $995 destination charge. Visually, the XT4 stood out with its crisp, tailored styling and 20-inch alloy wheels, making it one of the most appealing Cadillac crossovers. The interior was pleasant, with competitive-quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls felt out of place in a luxury vehicle.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years ago, maintained a rugged and utilitarian design. Despite updates over the years, the overall look remained largely unchanged, with a two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition. Our test vehicle, the Trail Special Edition, priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model, added premium audio, a cargo cover, and a TRD front skid plate, totaling $43,729 with the $1,175 destination charge. The interior featured black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a custom-made 40-quart cooler. Hard plastic materials dominated the cabin, reflecting the SUV's durable and easy-to-clean nature.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the EPA rating the FWD XT4 at 26 mpg. Our test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, though front-wheel slip and torque steer were issues with FWD models. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem somewhat mitigated in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps. However, the oversized wheels offered impressive grip, and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, generated 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with part-time 4WD available. The Trail Special Edition did not offer automatic 4WD, and the maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner excelled off-road, tackling mud, hills, and ruts with ease, thanks to its A-Trac off-road traction control system. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with challenging steering and braking. The EPA rated the 4Runner at 17 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg, including off-roading. The 4Runner's truck-like driving characteristics added to its charm, but frequent gas station stops were necessary.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, providing ample legroom but lacking support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the cabin during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered plenty of storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, posing a challenge for shorter individuals without running boards. Once inside, the 4Runner provided comfortable seating with proper support and generous legroom in the rear. The back seat offered good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's sliding cargo deck, capable of holding 440 pounds, was a notable feature, though it reduced cargo volume. The back bumper served as a convenient seat for various activities. Depending on configuration, cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's big roof rack added to its cargo-carrying capabilities.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth for two devices. The 8-inch touchscreen was complemented by intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen size could be larger, and integrating the climate system into the voice-recognition system would be beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. The test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display (HUD) and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had limited technology features due to its lower trim level. It included a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, dynamic voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The infotainment system's software was effective, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation, even while wearing gloves. The 8-inch screen was small, but the system's functionality compensated for it.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several safety features for the 2020 model year, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. These features joined a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control and other advanced features were available in the Driver Assist Package. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for roof crush strength from the IIHS. However, the IIHS rated the 4Runner's protection for the driver in a small overlap frontal-impact collision as Marginal, and the NHTSA gave the SUV's front passenger protection a three-star rating in a frontal-impact crash. These ratings likely reflected the 4Runner's older design and safety engineering.