By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos GM Media
For 2019, Cadillac’s first-ever XT4 leverages the brand’s legacy of technology leadership to reward drivers and passengers with a responsive and refined driving experience.
Exterior
Simple and sculpted lines draw the customer in and accentuate the XT4’s powerful proportions and aggressive presence; In keeping with Cadillac’s new “Y” trim strategy, the Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport models offer distinctive styling cues and trim finishes to create unique personas and greater choice for customers. XT4 Sport models feature a gloss black mesh grille inspired by Cadillac’s high-performance V-Series models, gloss black window moldings and specific Sport alloy wheel choices.
All models feature advanced LED lighting technology front and rear, with front LED low and high beams and an LED-illuminated light blade for the daytime running lamps. Cadillac’s vertical L-shaped lighting signature is stretched horizontally, emphasizing the XT4’s width and confident stance.
Standard LED taillights are housed in traditional red lenses on Luxury and Premium Luxury, while the Sport model receives tinted neutral-density lenses that complement the generally darker exterior color choices.
Eight exterior colors will be offered on the 2019 XT4 at launch: Atlantic Metallic, Autumn Metallic, Crystal White Tricoat, Twilight Blue Metallic, Shadow Metallic, Red Horizon Tintcoat, Stellar Black Metallic and Radiant Silver Metallic.
Interior
Echoing the exterior design themes, the new XT4’s cabin conveys boldness and strength with youthful athleticism. Sweeping arcs and tapered lines enhance the feeling of spaciousness and give it a taut, tightly wrapped appearance.
The interior elements come together in a sophisticated and modern design. Intuitive technology includes available next-generation wireless device charging and an in-cabin air ionizer.
The all-new XT4 offers exceptional space for a compact luxury SUV, particularly for rear-seat passengers. It is expected to lead the segment in rear-seat roominess, with 39.5 inches of legroom. The XT4 also offers 48.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume with the rear seat folded.
Intuitive Technologies
Led by the latest Cadillac user experience, the brand’s most advanced infotainment interface, the XT4 offers a connected environment; The Cadillac user experience is a dynamic platform that offers a smartphone-like experience with an intuitive interface, faster response and improved voice recognition that can be updated over time to meet a customer’s evolving connectivity needs. It leverages the cloud and available embedded 4G LTE connection to enable personalization, available connected navigation and news, marketplace and entertainment applications via the app store and a new rotary controller that offers users alternative ways to interact with the system.
The new controller includes volume and seek forward/back controls for the audio system; shortcut buttons for fast access to the most frequently used apps such as Audio, Phone, Navigation and Home; and a large center dial to operate primary features of the most frequently used apps, scroll menus and lists and select other apps to be displayed.
XT4 Driving Dynamics
The new Cadillac XT4’s confident, athletic appearance is complemented by great agility. It is characteristically Cadillac in refinement and responsiveness, but with a youthful edginess derived from the brand’s critically acclaimed sports sedans.
It starts with an all-new Cadillac 2.0L Turbo engine. This advanced, power-dense inline-four-cylinder 118.5 hp per liter features an industry-first tripower system. The system is designed to optimize performance and efficiency by having three distinct operating modes, including high and low valve lift and Active Fuel Management.
The engine also features a twin-scroll turbocharger to enhance torque production at lower speeds, as well as direct injection, active thermal management and stop/start technologies. Output is SAE-certified at 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A nearly flat torque curve gives the XT4 surprising responsiveness throughout the engine’s RPM range.
A nine-speed automatic transmission is paired with the new engine, helping the XT4 achieve a Cadillac-estimated 30 mpg in highway driving; The vehicle also features the next generation of electronic precision shift, which features an intuitive shifting sequence.
Summary
The first-ever Cadillac XT4 is an all-new compact SUV tailored for the next generation of luxury customers. Developed on an exclusive compact SUV architecture, Cadillac’s entry in the industry’s fastest-growing luxury segment delivers expressive design, confident performance, spacious accommodations and new technologies.
The Estimated fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg City and 29 mpg Highway with the 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo Engine. The XT4 is priced from an MSRP of $41,795.00, the one I drove the 2019 Cadillac XT4 AWD Sport, included the Cadillac User Experience with Embedded Navigation $1,500.00, 20 Inch Alloy Wheels with Diamond Cut/Titan Satin Finish $1,100.00, Comfort and Convenience Package $2,450.00, Cold Weather Package $850.00, Driver Awareness Package $770.00, Twilight Blue Metallic Exterior Paint, and it came in at $50,085.00 including destination charge $995.00.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
