2022 Cadillac XT5 Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Despite the fact that it hit the market just five years ago, the Cadillac XT5 is starting to come off as a bit outdated. In the realm of small- and medium-size SUVs, that is an entire lifetime. A new generation should be in order... but it isn't here yet.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 struggles to stack up to big-time competitors like the Lincoln Aviator and Mercedes GLE. Those SUVs have seem some updates pretty recently, therefore evoking a more high-tech, 2020s vibe. Until the overhauled 2023 introduces us to a new generation of the XT5, buyers will have to consider whether or not they want to wait another year.

Let's talk about what we like on the 2022 XT5 before we jump into what we don't like (followed by a trim level comparison). If you are tired of the standard offerings on Buick and GMC, then moving up to a luxury SUV like the American-made XT5 could be a good advancement to make. This SUV has better-than-average cargo volume, which benefits from the fold-flat main cargo hold design. Also, the power liftgate has a programmable height feature for easier loading and unloading of cargo.

The cabin is plentiful on space. Legs and heads have room in both rows of seats. Rear seat passengers can stretch their legs without asking front seat occupants to move their seats up. Everyone fits, so everyone sits. You can even squeeze a third adult into the middle seat in the back.

For a head-turning, performance-breaking visionary SUV, the 2022 Cadillac XT5's price is reasonable - making it worthy of consideration. Compared to its rivals, the XT5 is generously priced. Even the price difference between trims aren't as drastic as what you see on other luxury SUVs. If you want the sweeping curves, authentically finished interior, and leading edge tech and performance on a restricted budget, the XT5 is a good fit.

With that said, there are a few things that we don't particularly like in the XT5. For instance, there isn't much storage area in the cabin to quickly stash your small items like a purse or tablet. forcing you to get creative about organization. Also, the side windows and mirrors and smaller, making it difficult to see out of the rear. This means that you will have to depend on the rear-view camera for backing up. The cabin is not sound proof either, so it can get noisy in the cabin while driving. Lastly, it's a misfortune that some normally standard features on luxury SUVs have been left as options on the XT5.

With that out of our way, we can now dive right in and explore the various 2022 Cadillac XT5 trim options comprehensively. The XT5 comes in three trims and they are named the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport.  The Luxury and Premium Luxury both have a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine under their hoods, generating a robust 235 hp and 258 lb-ft torque.

The Sport trim level is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 and produces a power output of 310 hp and 271 lb-ft. You can optionally equip engine on the Premium Luxury. Each engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The first two trims are front-wheel drive (FWD) with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. On the Sport, however, AWD is standard.

Now, let's dig our heels in and see just how different these three XT5 trim levels are. Which one will meet your needs the best? Time to find out.

Compare the Luxury vs Premium Luxury Trims. What is the difference?

The 2022 Cadillac XT5's base trim level, the Luxury, is followed up by the mid-tier Premium Luxury. As already discussed above, these trims share the same powertrain configurations while leaving doors open for options like AWD. The Sport's higher-powered V6 engine is optional on the Premium Luxury.

4-wheel antilock disc brakes come standard on both, which helps reduce wheel lockup and maintain control during braking on slippery surfaces. The standard 4-wheel independent suspension on both trims also ensure a smooth, stable driving experience by allowing all four wheels to react independently to the road surface. Capless fuel fill, electronic parking brake, Electronic Precision Shift, and electronic traction control are equipped on both trims, while an engine block heater is also available.

If you go for the Premium Luxury, you can choose the Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking system, which works in tandem with Forward Collision Alert to help avoid front-end collisions with a detected vehicle you're following.

Other available mechanical features exclusive to the Premium Luxury trim are heavy-duty cooling system, hitch guidance, performance suspension, smart towing, and reverse automatic braking. Unfortunately. these features are not available on the base trim.

You can tell these two trim levels apart based on some of their exterior features. The Premium Luxury has 18-inch 6-spoke alloy wheels with a sleek Pearl Nickel finish while the Luxury has them as an option but sticks with standard 18-inch Multi-Spoke alloy wheels with a Bright Silver finish. Both have multiple options for 20-inch wheels. Other standard features include active aero shutters, automatic on/off headlights, and bright brushed aluminum roof rails.

They also have deep tinted glass, front cornering lights, IntelliBeam auto high beam headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and LED headlights. A rear spoiler, rear side marker lamp, and rear intermittent wiper round out the list of shared standard features.

Styled to make a statement, both the XT5 trims have provocative features and distinct, bold grilles that sweep to meet jewel-like headlamps. However, compared to the Luxury, the Premium Luxury takes things further and offers more exterior upgrades. It comes with the UltraView power sunroof, rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers, locking wheel lugs, illuminated door handles, hands-free power liftgate, and auto-dimming, power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators.

If you don't mind some extra convenience and cost, you can have the Driver Assist package added on to your Premium Luxury. The package gives you the advantage of adaptive cruise control, automatic seat belt tightening, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. Gloss Black exhaust bezels are a stand-alone option. The Platinum Package presents semi-aniline leather seats with Chevron-Perforated inserts and a leatherette instrument panel, console, and door trim.

It also comes with a microfiber suede headliner, premium carpeted mats for the rear and front floors, damping control for the chassis, a high-performance suspension, two special interior trims (fiber trim with bronze carbon on Jet Black or jet black accents accompanying Maple Sugar and an Open Pore Elm Cluster wood trim), the Navigation and Bose Premium Audio Package, the Technology Package, and the Lighting Package.

The Technology Package is itself an option, giving you an 8-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center display, a reconfigurable color head-up display, the HD Surround Vision camera system, a rear camera mirror with a built-in washer, Rear Pedestrian Alert, and Automatic Parking Assist with braking.

The base trim Luxury isn't designed with power lumbar support, but the Premium Luxury equips it on both front seats. A 6-way power adjustable front passenger's seat comes standard. While a Bose premium 8-speaker audio system is standard on both trims, a 14-speaker premium Bose sound system can be chosen on to the Premium Luxury as an option.

Wireless smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. You also get cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, front and rear park assist, a locking glovebox, heated front seats, keyless open, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and lane departure warning with the lane keep assist feature.

Passenger sensing systems are standard on both, which automatically switches the front passenger seat frontal airbag on or off. Also, there are power windows, rear air vents, a rear window defogger, remote start, a teen driver feature, tire pressure monitoring, the HomeLink universal remote, and WiFi hot-spot connectivity.

On top of these awesome standard features, the Premium Luxury adds a steering column lock, a self-powered theft-deterrent alarm system, a retractable cargo shade, rear cross traffic alert, a power tilt and telescoping system, memory on the driver's seat, lane change alert, an interior auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated steering wheel, and door locks and latch shields.

Compare the Premium Luxury vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

Compared to the Luxury and Premium Luxury, the Sport trim marks a greater upgrade and price jump. True to its name, the sporty SUV carries a powerful V6 engine under its hood, providing a more thrilling experience for adventurers. Besides that, it also offer Sport Control AWD. This makes sure you maintain your poise on the road, no matter rain, snow, ice or any road condition. Brembo front performance brakes, a real-time damping suspension with the chassis, a heavy-duty cooling system, and a performance suspension complete the Sport trim, letting you drive with full confidence and comfort.

The exterior sees some noteworthy upgrades as well. It rides atop 20-inch 12-Spoke alloy wheels with a sleek Pearl Nickel finish with all-wheel tires slapped on. There are also roof rails done in gloss black. Inside, you will find that the Sport has essentially all of the same equipment as the Premium Luxury trim level.

Final Thoughts

There are quite a few reasons why people want luxury SUVs. They're typically more powerful and equipped with more high-tech, current standard features than the average vehicle. On the whole, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 is decently equipped with features buyers will want. But there could be more standard features; too many are left in optional packages. And you clearly won't get many feature enhancements on the Sport trim level. You will just be spending thousands of dollars more for the mechanical upgrades - that's it.

Now, the base Luxury trim level might be more attractive at first because of its price tag. However, when you run down the list of standard features, it will start to feel like it is lacking a bit too many. You only get to equip the 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive; the V6 isn't an option at all. There also are no real significant upgrades in terms of packages.

Taking all these things into consideration, the XT5's mid-tier Premium Luxury emerges to be the best purchase. The trim offers more features over the base trim. Besides, the blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross traffic alert on the Premium Luxury is a huge bonus, since the XT5 has some troubling blind spots. Furthermore, the hands-free power liftgate allows you to effortlessly open the cargo area since you don't need to use your finger to press a button on your key fob; it just needs to be in your purse or pocket.

As far as packages go, we recommend adding the Technology Package based on the fact that it comes with features that are oriented toward driver assist. The digital rear-view mirror is handy since it allows you to see what's out the rear even when you are loaded up on cargo. You can also use the automated parking assist to help get you into and out of tight parking spaces, which would otherwise be pretty difficult on the XT5 given its poor rear visibility.

If you want a few more niceties, the Platinum Package is also one to consider. It gives you everything that comes with the Technology Package plus a more developed infotainment system. The 14-speaker premium Bose sound system lets you blast your favorite albums, and the heated/ventilated front seats lends next level comfort.

Still, waiting one more year for the new generation of XT5 might not be a bad idea. It will hopefully be advanced further to bring some much-needed feature upgrades as well as an improved fuel economy. In the meantime, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 is one that you might at least want to test drive before making your final decision.

Previous Year Trim Configurations:

• 2021 Cadillac XT5 Trime Levels