To the long list of critics who don't like Cadillac's long-awaited subcompact SUV, the XT4, don't add me.
I like to research cars before they arrive, and the pre-drive stuff on the little Caddy was not particularly positive. "Thin, raspy-sounding engine," "lackluster handling," "cumbersome infotainment system," and similarly truculent pickings of nits were sprinkled among reviews that generally placed the XT4 in the second tier of a competitive class.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I first took the XT4 out for a spin and kinda liked it. Built on the same platform as the Chevy Malibu - a solid machine - the XT4 is powered by an all-new, turbocharged, 237-hp, 2.0-L four-cylinder engine mated to a 9-speed automatic.
No, it doesn't roar like traditional Detroit V-8 muscle, but the driveline is crisp and responsive. When pushed, the engine winds out with a smooth and sweet European whine. At 24 mpg combined, 30 highway, fuel economy is above average for the class.
Handling is solid and the ride is about average in a class of featherweights that transmit more road imperfections than my grandfather's Cadillacs. With more legroom front and rear than competitors, premium material inside and decent fit and finish throughout, the XT4 doesn't do anything poorly.
Here's the rub, it doesn't do anything exceptionally well, and competitors like the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, and the Lexus UX do.
In safety, for example, XT4 buyers who want up-to-date safety gear - something one would expect in a Cadillac - must move up to the Sport or Premium Luxury trim lines, which start at $39,795 or $4,100 more than the base model. (Add $2,500 for AWD). To that, they must add a $770 Driver Awareness Package, which then allows them the privilege of purchasing a $1,100 Driver Awareness Package. That rounds to six grand.
In comparison, standard on a $36,485 Lexus NX is a more complete, and better working, suite of driver-assist features. It includes things not available on the Caddy like road sign assist, pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane tracing (which gently keeps the car in its lane), and all-speed dynamic cruise control and intelligent high beams.
See what Lexus did there? It added $800 to the base price and opened the gates to the latest and greatest safety technologies. BMW, Audi and Volvo are closer to Lexus than Cadillac in their strategies and offer more refined driving and performance dynamics.
There's the rub. In a segment designed to attract young technophiles, Cadillac went low-tech. With all due respect, it feels like the 1970s all over again, when the bean counters ran Detroit and American automotive market share plummeted across the globe.
A sales winner
On the other hand, do add me to those who are not surprised that the XT4 is proving to be a hit with buyers, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all Cadillac sales through the first two quarters of 2019 and helping the brand post growth despite sharp drops in other models, some headed for extinction.
Why? The XT4 has at least three things going for it: looks, comfort, and ride.
We tend to discount styling around here. Sheet metal is sheet metal and if a car could be judged by its cover, the junkyards and rental lots wouldn't be filled with PT cruisers. Still, the XT4 looks like a modern, nicely sculpted Cadillac ought to look.
With crisp lines, muscular haunches, advanced LED lighting technology front and rear, and traditional Caddy styling cues, the XT4 looks bold and competent.
Inside, cabin dimensions are trimmed to North American tastes, with more room for legs, shoulders, hips, and tushes. Front seats are comfortable enough for any luxury car. Unlike some competitors, Caddy's rear seats are more than an afterthought. Four adults could ride comfortably on a Texas-length road trip.
Frankly, if I had to choose which I'd prefer to drive every day, I'd take the Cadillac over the Lexus. That doesn't apply to the Audi or BMW, because I'm a sporty drive kind of guy, but most folks aren't and Audi and BMW aren't big volume sellers on this side of the Atlantic. (To digress, if you're in the market for a subcompact with athletic handling, brisk acceleration, and panache, Mini Cooper has overcome its early reliability problems).
For an everyday driver, the XT4 may be the best in class. It still has some "big car" feel to it. It has plenty of acceleration up to 90 mpg and beyond and has a nicely planted feel when pushed through curves, especially the AWD version. When pushed beyond its limits, it gives in gradually, allowing the driver plenty of time to gather it in.
Braking is exceptionally good, perhaps best in class.
The XT4 offers segment-exclusive haptic parking assistance. The driver's sear vibrates, front and rear, left and right, to warn of nearby obstacles. We found this a pleasant feature. We also liked the fact that if the car is in neutral and a door is opened, it automatically puts itself into park.
Best warranty
Another knock on the XT4, new in showrooms this year, is the reliability records of its stablemates. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have both rated Cadillac near the bottom of its reliability ratings for the past few years.
Whether it is fair to extrapolate those outcomes to a new vehicle is worthy of debate. The reliability of the Malibu of late has come close to the Honda Accord; the XT4's new engine is an unknown. Look, they only let us drive these things, not disassemble them, so many of us "experts" really have no idea if a new car is going to turn out to be a lemon or a crackerjack.
Cadillac understands its image problem and offers a hefty warranty on the XT4: 4 years/50,000 miles basic and 6 years/70,000 miles powertrain. Even so, considering GM's inconsistent engineering of late, this might be an occasion when a transferrable extended warranty is justified. Ask for a discount on one as a condition of closing and see what the dealer says.
Bottom line: There's lots to like about the Cadillac XT4, and there's plenty of reason to think that buyers will be satisfied with their purchase for years to come. Still, the only model we can recommend is the Premium Luxury model because of the availability of safety gear. It is also available on Sport models, but those come with 20-inch wheels, which would only make the ride worse.