Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Cadillac XT5

When Cadillac introduced the 2023 XT5, it aimed to blend luxury with affordability, but the results were mixed. The interior, though spacious and intuitively designed, did not exactly mirror the high-end luxury typically associated with the Cadillac badge. Instead, the materials and layout had more in common with top-trim models from Buick or Chevrolet. Despite this, the cabin included standard synthetic leather upholstery, with higher trims like the XT5 Premium Luxury offering genuine leather, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The XT5 also featured excellent headroom and legroom for both rows, adding a panoramic sunroof for a spacious feel. Additionally, Cadillac resisted the trend of eliminating physical controls, resulting in a user-friendly but slightly dated cabin experience. Its generous cargo space of 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats was a redeeming feature.

Toyota's RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, embraced a more substantial, blocky design, stepping away from typical crossover aesthetics. The trapezoidal grille and angular bodywork lent a truck-like robustness that set it apart initially but later became a trend seen in competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid kept the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard and adequate physical controls. Materials quality was average, with lightly padded surfaces mitigating some hard plastics. While base models featured a less desirable urethane steering wheel, higher trims provided leather-wrapped wheels. Build quality was solid, free of creaks or squeaks over rough terrain, adding to the overall durable feel of the cabin.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While acceleration to 60 mph was feasible in the high-seven-second range with the base engine, the V6 provided a much more dynamic experience. However, neither engine imbued the XT5 with notable driving excitement. Handling was competent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with more vibration and noise than expected. Fuel economy figures stood at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for the turbo-four with FWD, while the V6 with AWD offered 18/25/21 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. A CVT managed the power, driving the front wheels, with an additional electric motor providing AWD. With a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, the Hybrid outpaced the standard RAV4 but fell short of the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime's 5.5 seconds. Handling was stable and confident, with a suspension system smoothing out moderate bumps and potholes. The RAV4 Hybrid also employed regenerative braking to recharge the battery, seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes when necessary. While the Hybrid's performance wasn't exhilarating, it was reliable and comparable to competitors like the Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V Hybrids.

Inside the XT5, Cadillac made clever use of space, incorporating various storage compartments, though the use of hard plastics was evident. The center console storage was surprisingly deep, and though the glove box was limited to paperwork, other storage options, like large seatback pockets and reasonably sized cupholders in the fold-down armrests, added to the practicality. Cargo-wise, the XT5 excelled with 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded down, offering significant storage space for its class.

The RAV4 Hybrid offered ample front seat space, suitable for larger passengers, and adequate room in the rear for average-sized adults. Rear headroom was marginally more than some competitors, although legroom was slightly less. The cargo space was impressive, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, almost matching the non-hybrid RAV4. Competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage offered slightly more cargo space, but the differences were negligible. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured a well-thought-out interior storage design, including a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, large cupholders, and an extensive center armrest bin.

Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system in the XT5 marked a significant improvement, presenting an 8-inch touchscreen with smooth, responsive navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Additional features included dual-zone climate controls, a rotary controller, a 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation. While Cadillac preserved physical controls for essential functions, making the system less distracting and more intuitive compared to all-touch rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

For the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid, Toyota introduced a new and vastly improved infotainment system with modern, sharp graphics and logically arranged menus. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, upgrading to a 10.5-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and over-the-air software updates. The range-topping model also boasted a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, enhancing both usability and auditory experience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 received top “Good” scores in crash tests from the IIHS but missed the Top Safety Pick award due to “Marginal” headlines. The “Advanced” and “Superior” ratings in vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention were highlights. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional packages provided adaptive cruise control, enhanced braking systems, rear pedestrian braking, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, making it a Top Safety Pick. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, parking sensors with automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror, ensuring comprehensive safety.