C&D review: Cadillac XT5 doesn't fare too well
07-12-16, 05:27 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
C&D review: Cadillac XT5 doesn't fare too well
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...wd-test-review
I'm not one to really value what auto journalists say, but I'm posting this because I really found this review to be in-line with my own personal experiences with the XT5. Like all Cadillacs, they are nice but rough around the edges and that is their problem. They throw wood, leather, etc. in the car but there will be misaligned stitching, cheap plastic buttons from the GM parts bin, etc. One thing I noticed in particular in all 3 XT5s I've sat in are the flimsy cuphold covers. They shake when you slide them open and closed. It felt like a car that was 95% of the way there but you have to go 100% of the way in this class. And while it's not ugly I definitely find the German competition and Lexus NX to be better looking.
I'm not one to really value what auto journalists say, but I'm posting this because I really found this review to be in-line with my own personal experiences with the XT5. Like all Cadillacs, they are nice but rough around the edges and that is their problem. They throw wood, leather, etc. in the car but there will be misaligned stitching, cheap plastic buttons from the GM parts bin, etc. One thing I noticed in particular in all 3 XT5s I've sat in are the flimsy cuphold covers. They shake when you slide them open and closed. It felt like a car that was 95% of the way there but you have to go 100% of the way in this class. And while it's not ugly I definitely find the German competition and Lexus NX to be better looking.
07-12-16, 06:01 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Not sure what C&Ds problem is:
1. It has a 0-60mph of 6.6 seconds. How fast does it need to go?
2. Compared to a SQ5. Why would you compare a standard vehicle to a Sport line model?
3. Interior was nice, like they said.
4. Shift levers/buttons are all different. So what? Perhaps it adds a level of sophistication
5. Skidpad of .84G is pretty darn good.
6. It DOES NOT have a hideous front end. That should be enough to win a comparo
Perhaps Cadillac pulled the plug on C&D advertising this much
1. It has a 0-60mph of 6.6 seconds. How fast does it need to go?
2. Compared to a SQ5. Why would you compare a standard vehicle to a Sport line model?
3. Interior was nice, like they said.
4. Shift levers/buttons are all different. So what? Perhaps it adds a level of sophistication
5. Skidpad of .84G is pretty darn good.
6. It DOES NOT have a hideous front end. That should be enough to win a comparo
Perhaps Cadillac pulled the plug on C&D advertising this much
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-12-16 at 06:27 PM.
07-13-16, 05:36 AM
#3
I test drove one of these a couple weeks ago when the local dealer got two in. It was an unplanned drive by so I knew nothing about the vehicle but was impressed in the short time I was able to drive it. I'm turned off by the new RX and am looking for something else.
C/D has a specific reader following they have to appease to, sports car/racer types. This SUV doesn't fit their mold at all. I don't know why they would review it and then compare it to a Porsche. I'm a turn key owner, I could care less about 0-60 times, just give me a comfortable, quiet ride and this new XT5 does it.
The one thing that concerned me was the stop/start tech. It did hesitate when I drove it and will be looking into that more. The writer said it couldn't be turned off but my salesman said it could be when I commented on it to him.
Anyway I think Cadillac has winner here and it will sell well.
C/D has a specific reader following they have to appease to, sports car/racer types. This SUV doesn't fit their mold at all. I don't know why they would review it and then compare it to a Porsche. I'm a turn key owner, I could care less about 0-60 times, just give me a comfortable, quiet ride and this new XT5 does it.
The one thing that concerned me was the stop/start tech. It did hesitate when I drove it and will be looking into that more. The writer said it couldn't be turned off but my salesman said it could be when I commented on it to him.
Anyway I think Cadillac has winner here and it will sell well.
07-13-16, 06:37 AM
#4
Jill basically hit the nail on the head.
Not too long ago 0-60 in the mid 6s was supercar territory.
As far as quality goes, they do have a point. We just took a 2015 Escalade on trade.. nice car, nice interior, I took it home for the night just to see what it was like compared to an LX. One of the first things I noticed was that the grab handle on the passenger's A pillar looked like it was made by Rubbermaid.
Nice car, nice interior but stupid stuff like that just lets the whole thing down IMO.
Not too long ago 0-60 in the mid 6s was supercar territory.
As far as quality goes, they do have a point. We just took a 2015 Escalade on trade.. nice car, nice interior, I took it home for the night just to see what it was like compared to an LX. One of the first things I noticed was that the grab handle on the passenger's A pillar looked like it was made by Rubbermaid.
Nice car, nice interior but stupid stuff like that just lets the whole thing down IMO.
07-13-16, 06:40 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...wd-test-review
I'm not one to really value what auto journalists say, but I'm posting this because I really found this review to be in-line with my own personal experiences with the XT5. Like all Cadillacs, they are nice but rough around the edges and that is their problem. They throw wood, leather, etc. in the car but there will be misaligned stitching, cheap plastic buttons from the GM parts bin, etc. One thing I noticed in particular in all 3 XT5s I've sat in are the flimsy cuphold covers. They shake when you slide them open and closed. It felt like a car that was 95% of the way there but you have to go 100% of the way in this class. And while it's not ugly I definitely find the German competition and Lexus NX to be better looking.
I'm not one to really value what auto journalists say, but I'm posting this because I really found this review to be in-line with my own personal experiences with the XT5. Like all Cadillacs, they are nice but rough around the edges and that is their problem. They throw wood, leather, etc. in the car but there will be misaligned stitching, cheap plastic buttons from the GM parts bin, etc. One thing I noticed in particular in all 3 XT5s I've sat in are the flimsy cuphold covers. They shake when you slide them open and closed. It felt like a car that was 95% of the way there but you have to go 100% of the way in this class. And while it's not ugly I definitely find the German competition and Lexus NX to be better looking.
...but, yes, I noticed that in the Impala, LaCrosse, and some other GM products. It was one of the very few things about the Impala that I had any complaints about.
07-13-16, 06:58 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Perhaps Cadillac pulled the plug on C&D advertising this much
Originally Posted by article
Part-throttle downshifts are slow in coming, especially when merging onto a busy highway or at other times when a quick response would be ideal. But shifts can be abrupt in normal driving situations. For example, when coasting down from higher speeds while approaching, say, a red light that changes to green*, stepping back onto the gas pedal elicits a momentary pause and then a jerk.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-13-16 at 07:24 AM.
07-13-16, 07:20 AM
#7
Lead Lap
That hasn't been a super car time since I've been alive. But yes I agree it's sad Cadillac can't get the small details right.
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07-13-16, 07:53 AM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
07-13-16, 07:57 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Well, you are the one who always mentions that Consumers Reports doesn't accept advertising revenue.
07-13-16, 08:00 AM
#10
Pole Position
They throw wood, leather, etc. in the car but there will be misaligned stitching, cheap plastic buttons from the GM parts bin, etc. One thing I noticed in particular in all 3 XT5s I've sat in are the flimsy cuphold covers. They shake when you slide them open and closed. It felt like a car that was 95% of the way there but you have to go 100% of the way in this class.
07-13-16, 08:06 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
It's not me.....they themselves highlight that, in every magazine-issue or web-site update they do. And CR is fair and not biased in their vehicle-reviews on reliability charts....though I don't always agree 100% with their reviews. What's more, CR's reviews are sharply different from many reviews done in the auto press........like your own comments a few posts back about C&D, CR does not necessarily glorify acceleration or handling, though, of course, they do mention if they feel a vehicle is excessively slow or poor-handling.
07-13-16, 08:07 AM
#12
Lead Lap
Isn't that just a common downside of shared platform vehicles? Lexus is guilty of it as well, though it feels like they've been trying to move away from that with their newer models. My GX 460 has plenty of "cheap" parts that clearly carried over from the Toyota LC Prado that it's based on. The grab handles, signal stalks, cruise control stalk, center console, door handle, etc. all feel cheap and lifted straight off a downmarket car.
07-13-16, 08:09 AM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Isn't that just a common downside of shared platform vehicles? Lexus is guilty of it as well, though it feels like they've been trying to move away from that with their newer models. My GX 460 has plenty of "cheap" parts that clearly carried over from the Toyota LC Prado that it's based on. The grab handles, signal stalks, cruise control stalk, center console, door handle, etc. all feel cheap and lifted straight off a downmarket car.
07-13-16, 08:10 AM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
The GX460 had some questionable control switches, and the rear door is a PITA, and for a V8, the HP ratings seem a little on the low side.
07-13-16, 08:16 AM
#15
Lead Lap
Cadillac’s avowed mission to combat the German brands shouldn’t blind us to the reality that the burgeoning segment also includes the likes of the Lincoln MKX, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, and the Lexus RX350, against which the XT5 looks stronger. None of those can run with the Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, either, and the Cadillac offers clear advantages over these midpack contenders.