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The 2023 Cadillac XT5 is a carryover model, and like previous versions of this luxury SUV, it’s still a good pick. Also like prior model years, the 2023 XT5 earned a “Great” reliability score from J.D. Power. However, it’s by no means a flawless compact crossover. Here’s a look at the 2023 Cadillac XT5, including good points and two big lingering problems. 

What experts like about the 2023 Cadillac XT5

A red 2023 Cadillac XT5 parked by a beach
2019 Cadillac XT5 Platinum | Cadillac

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 ranks second among premium midsize SUVs at J.D. Power, so it’s an excellent option. One of the main reasons why this model is so highly rated is its comfort features. The XT5’s interior lives up to what consumers expect from a luxury car. But it also comes packed with tech that make it more efficient and easier to live with.

The front row is supportive, while the rear seats are spacious. The XT5’s interior is also luxurious. This is thanks to the fact that Cadillac used premium materials like synthetic leather. On top of that, the Cadillac SUV has a quiet cabin, even compared to other luxury SUVs.  J.D. Power likes its split 40/60 seats that can fold to offer a spacious cargo hold.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 still has 2 big issues

That said, the 2023 XT5 still has two issues that Cadillac hasn’t fixed yet. The big one has to do with its engine options. The standard model has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac offers one other engine option — a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.

That V6 engine is powerful enough to allow the Caddy to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the V6 is overwhelmed by the XT5’s 4,100-pound curb weight.

To get that impressive technology, like blind spot monitoring and other tech bits we’ve come to expect in an SUV of this class, you have to step up to the Premium trims, which bump the price for about $45,000 to more than $51,000. At that price, there are other options that may make more sense.

There are smaller issues too

Those were the two main issues the 2023 Cadillac XT5 has right now, but it has a few minor issues, too. Despite being a compact crossover, its fuel economy still isn’t great. The standard four-cylinder engine gets about 24 mpg combined, while the V6 engine gets about 20 mpg combined. Additionally, though the SUV can be decently fast in a straight line, its emergency handling isn’t great. 

And though the XT5 has an opulent interior, it’s not perfect. The reason for that is the ride quality, which is an improvement over previous model years. But despite that, the ride quality still isn’t great.

Another area where the XT5 is mediocre is cargo capacity. It has about 30.2 cubic feet of space in its cargo area behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded down, its max cargo capacity is 63 cubic feet. That’s a decent amount, but it’s not as much as what the best SUVs in the segment provide. 

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.