It’s hard to think of a car brand that is more synonymous with the word “luxury” than Cadillac. Throughout automotive history, Cadillac has pioneered the idea that a vehicle can do more than provide transportation––it can provide an experience. For this reason, Cadillac takes extra care to provide the best features on the market. While some people may think of it as an expensive brand, the higher price point is indicative of a higher caliber of vehicle. Cadillac exists in a class of its own. But it also sees the needs of everyday drivers and works to meet them. While luxury vehicles were once reserved for a select few sports cars and luxury sedans, Cadillac has seen fit to expand its luxury offerings into practical, everyday vehicles used by families.
The 2025 XT5 is a great example of this: it’s a luxurious Cadillac vehicle, but it comes in the form of a crossover SUV, making itself useful to families who may need more functionality than a sports car can offer. However, if you are seeking out a Cadillac XT5 for sale near Harlem (Cadillacs are great vehicles for city-dwellers), you may also notice a similar vehicle by the name of the XT4. Cadillac offers a variety of vehicles so as to meet various drivers' needs. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the XT5 is a midsize SUV while the XT4 is a compact SUV. The difference may be subtle, but the two vehicles cater to slightly different types of drivers, so it is worth investigating the intricacies of the difference. Allow us to step in!
The Basic Differences
In its simplest form, what is the difference between the XT5 and the XT4? As we said, the XT5 is a midsize SUV, while the XT4 is a compact SUV. As such, the XT5 offers a slightly larger body, meaning increased interior volume. That’s the baseline difference between the two in terms of practical, day-to-day use. But, with the difference in body size comes some subtle differences in terms of architecture, which, in turn, slightly affects performance and capability. Now, that’s not to say that the XT5 is automatically “better” than the XT4; it simply means that they are able to fulfill slightly different roles within the vehicle landscape.
For example, the XT5 offers available Brembo performance front brakes, which you’ll likely find to be an upgrade from the XT4’s braking system. The Brembo performance brakes look extra good on the XT5 since you can see the front and rear red-painted brake calipers peaking through the wheels, adding a nice spark of ferocity. In short, the XT5 is a heightened version of the XT4. But let's take a closer look at how that breaks down in practice.
Power and Performance
While style is usually the first thing to come to mind when you think of Cadillac, no stylish vehicle’s reputation will stand if its fashion isn’t built on the foundation of strong performance. How do you measure performance? Numbers like horsepower and acceleration are great indicators, and they start with the quality of the engine. Well, the good news is that since both vehicles are Cadillacs, the XT4 and XT5 both have great engines, so they both win. But, there are engineering differences between the two cars.
The XT4 starts things out with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, allowing it to offer 235 hp and 258 lb-t of torque with premium gasoline. That’s pretty good! Now, if you’re not a power-seeking driver, the spec that will probably excite you more is that this engine, with front-wheel drive, offers an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway (26 MPG combined). Nothing’s more fashionable than saving money, especially with those NYC prices (you Harlem residents know what we’re talking about), so that’s a classic Cadillac move.
The XT5 takes things up a notch. With an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, the XT5 is capable of delivering 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Numbers don’t lie, so if you do consider yourself a power-seeking driver, then you’ll have fun with the V6 engine! The V6 does come with a slight reduction in fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated economy of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway (with front-wheel drive). The good news, though, is that the XT5 can also host the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, so if fuel efficiency is more important to you, you can certainly have it!
The point, though, is that the XT5 offers two fantastic engines––the baseline engine offered by the XT4 as well as an upgraded, performance-driven V6. When it comes to engineering and performance, the XT5 has an advantage.
Cadillac Style
This is the part you likely came to read about. When it comes to fashion-forward vehicles, there’s no brand like Cadillac. Similar to performance, by nature of both being Cadillacs, neither the XT4 nor the XT5 will lead you astray. Between Cadillac models, it’s not necessarily a matter of one being “better” than the other but rather a matter of the two being different from one another. However, the 2025 XT5 does have more diverse cosmetic offerings than the XT4.
In terms of interior color schemes, the XT4 uses Jet Black as its base, with available upgrades for seat colors and accents. The car offers two Jet Black options––both with Santorini Blue accents in the Sport trim––and while the standard option has Inteluxe seating surfaces, leather seating surfaces are available. The other available upgrades include Sky Cool Gray, Sedona, and Oxford Stone. Sky Cool Gray is a classic Cadillac look and caters to those looking for a nice, light aesthetic. Sedona, on the other hand, really crafts an atmosphere of warmth and luxury, with a darker complexion reminiscent of wood. Oxford Stone sits somewhere between the two.
The XT5 offers the standard Jet Black color scheme as well. The optional Cirrus scheme replaces the XT4’s Sky Cool Gray but definitely has more personality to it; while the gray could feel a bit bland for some drivers, the Cirrus satiates the same desire for a bright color scheme with a bit more pop to it. The brown options are where you really start to see the XT5’s class in action. The Sedona Sauvage option is, of course, similar to the Sedona option in the XT4 but darker and richer. Similarly, the Kona Brown option is even darker, almost giving hints of maroon. Both options offer more warmth with darker complexions, complementing the high-end accents found throughout the cabin.
The XT5 offers the finest materials with its leather seats, including mini-perforated inserts. On both the XT4 and XT5, regular bucket seats are standard, but you have the opportunity to upgrade to ventilated driver and front passenger seats. Sometimes, drives are long, and you'll want to be comfortable. Thanks to its premium, stylish design, Cadillac makes that easier than any other brand. As great as the Harlem area is, the big city can get overwhelming, and the XT5 offers the opportunity for a relaxing break from all the noise (at least for the time you spend in the car) in an environment you will love.
XT Excellence
You might hear the names XT4 and XT5 and assume that they are simply two different versions of the same car. It’s not an unfair assumption; after all, the naming scheme does clue us into the fact that these two vehicles are part of the same family. However, assuming that one is simply a smaller or larger version of the other is a bit of an oversimplification. There are also differences in engineering and performance, leading to a different driving experience.
With a bigger vehicle also comes more diverse styling cues, allowing for different color schemes and an overall upgraded interior experience. It’s not that the XT5 is better than the XT4, but it does cater to a slightly different audience. While the XT4 may be ideal for those looking to have some luxury yet keep things simple, the XT5 takes things up a notch, offering luxury and performance on a different level. Harlem is in the center of the most exciting city in the world, and the XT5 seeks to match that energy. If you’re looking to take things up a notch in your life, the XT5 may just meet you there.