2019 Cadillac XT4

[kevm14]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2019-cad ... ok-review/
Photos from NY Auto Show: http://www.motortrend.com/news/photos-c ... 4-front-01

This might be Cadillac's least interesting model to me. But it is a very important model for them as it is their first entry in the compact luxury crossover class, shared with vehicles such as the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX, and BMW X1.

[kevm14]

So far this is stacking up to look very well executed and competitive.

I would actually say I think they are starting to get it. The comments are pretty positive, too. And as we all know, the most important market for any OEM is the lucrative Youtube Commenter market.

https://youtu.be/uvFS1OvUliE

Apparently this is a new platform (actually it is E2XX). This is a new output iteration of the 2.0T. New interior. Good tech and even massaging seats are available. Good rear seat legroom. More width. Pano sunroof. I definitely see some hope here.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/reviews/2 ... 4-preview/

I only paste this because of the headline and first few lines:

2019 Cadillac XT4 first drive review: Late to the party, but worth your attention
Cadillac finally gives crossover-hungry shoppers a compact utility vehicle. Thankfully, it looks to be a good one.


When much of the automotive industry raced to bring more and more crossovers to market, Cadillac instead focused on sedans. That... hasn't exactly worked, leaving the XT5 to fend as Cadillac's only utility vehicle offering, save the large-and-in-charge Escalade SUV.

Enter the 2019 XT4, a compact luxury Cadillac crossover that can't arrive soon enough.

Like I said back in March: this is an important vehicle for them. Around $35,700 for a base, FWD, Luxury trim. I know they all play games with base MSRPs though. His tester was fairly loaded at $56k. Don't worry, there will be discounts.

[kevm14]

Another pretty positive review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGUyZSHEPGE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PpO48y-Tk8

I will be a little bold and suggest that the XT4 may mark the beginning of Cadillac's sales climb.

He thinks the Volvo XC40 and the Cadillac XT4 are top of the class (compact luxury crossover, a very quickly expanding and important segment for automakers).

[Adam]

I'm not sure if I can convey how little I care about this segment. Unless Avis buys tons of them as rental cars. But even then...

[kevm14]

Well I don't know why the takeaway from this XT4 thread would automatically mean I must be a rabid XT4 enthusiast. I want Cadillac to make sales in popular segments so they can make the cars I really want (so they can depreciate until I can afford them). It's like Porsche with the Cayenne when people made peace with that. The better the XT4 is, the better the XT4 sells, and the more money Cadillac has to invest in good stuff that I actually do want. Pretty simple really.

I do like the first gen SRX but that was a RWD platform. I will never own the XT4 or any vehicle from this segment.

[bill25]

I'm not sure if I can convey how little I care about this segment.

Exactly. I agree that Cadillac being profitable is important, but I am not convinced they will continue things I like if they see they are making tons of money off this. Look at Ford as an extreme example. All SUVs and the Mustang. No cars.

[kevm14]

Yeah that's a fair point. But Cadillac is better than Lincoln so no need to worry. Or something.

[kevm14]

Also I do find the XT4 execution relevant in that they seem to be addressing some deficiencies. They really stepped up their game in interior and tech. Plus I think the exterior design is quite appealing (in a boring segment). Bonus interior width and at least competitive rear seat legroom. The 2.0T is brand new I guess (and the lowest output yet). Definitely some things here to talk about, even if you don't like the application. The XT4 does not happen in a vacuum - it more than likely is relevant to future Cadillac product (hopefully not in the Ford/Lincoln manner).

[kevm14]

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/cadilla ... E1874816BE

Another article on the significance, and good execution, of the XT4. They were less optimistic on the car than other articles/videos though.

Once the king of sedans, Cadillac is a bit late to the party in launching a second crossover to complement the XT5, its best-selling product in the U.S. and worldwide last year. Enter the XT4, which fills the gap and has something else Cadillac can use—a touch of youth.

Brand reps boast that a team of young designers created this compact crossover, which looks conventional from the side but stands out at other angles with its sharply vertical headlights and taillights. It eschews Cadillac's usual thick, shiny grille for a tidier front face. Its short overhangs give it an upright appearance. In some ways, the youthful look fits a bimodal customer base: Cadillac is targeting both first-time premium buyers with prices as low as $35,790 and "downsizers" who want luxury-packed versions. With this approach, the XT4 needs to be a well-rounded performer.

The level of new technology in the XT4 speaks to the vehicle's importance in Cadillac's lineup. Sitting on a new architecture for compact SUVs, the XT4 receives a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is said to share very little with the outgoing unit offered on other models. It's 15 pounds lighter and features three operating modes: high valve lift for more power, low valve lift for improved efficiency, and cylinder deactivation that turns off two cylinders when they're not needed. This coarse, grainy powerplant makes 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and fortunately, peak torque is available at just 1,500 rpm.

Then they proceed to explain that it lacks stellar driving dynamics. I really don't think that they were going for that here...

Seldom have we stepped out of a Cadillac wanting more quality time with the CUE infotainment system—until now. The new screen responds quickly to touch and stands by itself above two clean rows of buttons. Now, users also get a second option for controlling the system: a rotary controller on the lower center console next to the gear shifter. Plus, there are physical buttons for the climate control and a volume knob (unfortunately located directly behind the gear shifter). But those dreaded capacitive sliders have been banished to the bad-ideas bin.

"The new CUE feels like a solid improvement," features editor Scott Evans said. "The touch panel was always the big issue, and the knobs and hard buttons solve that."

Odd note at the end...

The XT4 was tested in extreme-heat conditions, and performance was adversely affected. We will attempt to retest and update these results at a later date.

They got 15.8 sec @ 89.4 mph which is pretty lame. Then again, how far off is it for 237 hp pulling 3,971 lbs (loaded AWD)?

[Adam]

They got 15.8 sec @ 89.4 mph which is pretty lame. Then again, how far off is it for 237 hp pulling 3,971 lbs (loaded AWD)?

15.8 @ 89.4 is about as fast as an '80's G-body with an L69 (maybe a tad slower). Or a similar-era F-body with the same engine.