Tested: 2022 Cadillac XT4 AWD Sport

The XT4 crossover is the entry-level Cadillac. At $36,098, the baby Caddy is the least expensive model in the brand’s lineup, which includes four crossovers and a pair of sedans.

The XT4 comes in three trim levels. All are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The test vehicle started as the top (Sport) trim level at $43,298. After a liberal coating of options, the bottom line had swollen to almost $60,000!  That puts it into serious territory.

2022 Cadillac XT4: an extremely well-equipped Cadillac for under $40,000

If you are the bargain-hunting type, the base $36,100 XT4 is attractive and a value. I’d add the cold weather package, which bumps the price to $39,498.

That gets you a full slate of safety features, LED headlights, wireless smart phone integration, heated seats front and rear, heated steering wheel and mirrors, 20-cm voice-activated infotainment screen, seven speaker audio system, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, power front seats.

You also get tilt & telescope steering wheel, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, remote start, Universal home remote, cruise control, dual zone automatic climate control, 18-in alloy wheels and a power liftgate.

That’s an extremely well-equipped Cadillac for less than $40,000!

But they sent me a $60,000 version, so let’s look at that.

What does the extra $20,000 bring?

There are a raft of items, but a few major ones come to mind: the $3,055 ‘Premium Comfort and Convenience Package’ added ventilated power leather seats, with power bolsters and elaborate power-operated back and lumber massage functions.

Another big ticket item were the 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels at $3,510. They are so special they don’t even come on the car from the factory! An XT4 ordered with these is shipped with ‘production approved tires mounted on transit wheels’.

These ‘disposable’ wheels are not validated for road-use and considered scrap parts. “Dealer must scrap the transit wheels according to the LPO Transit Wheel Process.”

Add $900 for metallic paint, $1,795 for a sunroof and a few other extras and it all adds up.

Basic goodness of baby Cadillac

But none of that changes the basic goodness of this little Cadillac.

The XT4 made its appearance for the 2019 model year. After a few upgrades last year, there are very few changes for the 2022 model year. The distinctive design is modern with clean, crisp lines. There are a number of Cadillac design cues including a wide grill flanked by complex headlights and boomerang-style taillights.

There is a surprising amount of interior room for a vehicle that casts such a small shadow.

Part of the credit has to do with the design that pushed the wheels out to the corners. This has brought class-leading rear seat room. Getting into and out of that space is enhanced by long doors that open of almost 90 degrees. The cargo area is similarly above average for this size class.

The interior is mid-pack for a luxury vehicle. The upper portions are covered in leather-like material and soft touch surfaces, but below that is more hard plastic than most competitors.

The standard infotainment system, and its crisp 20-centimetre screen looks good and is easily operated by voice, touch or a rotary knob on the console. Wireless smartphone connectivity and a WiFi hotspot are included.

Under the hood of the 2022 Cadillac XT4

The 237-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder produces plenty of power and impressive fuel economy but when pressed hard, sounds a little less than refined. The nine-speed automatic provides seamless and imperceptible shifts, and the all-wheel-drive system ensures year-round security.

The ride quality is impressive for such a small vehicle.

While the fat rubber wrapped around those $3,510 wheels likely enhanced handling when pushed hard in the turns, those tires do nothing for the ride. Their very low profile leaves little room for energy absorption on rough roads.

The Cadillac XT4 is a good-looking, small crossover with a surprising amount of interior space. It has plenty of power, reasonable fuel economy and, if you watch the option costs, can be a decent value for a luxury brand.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2022 Cadillac XT4 AWD Sport

PRICE

Base: $43,298

As tested: $59,608 including freight

SAFETY

Front and rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, following distance indicator, blind zone alert, rear pedestrian alert

INFOTAINMENT

Wireless phone charging, 20-cm colour display, Cadillac user experience, one type A and one type C full function USBs,

personalized profiles for each driver’s settings, Natural Voice Recognition, Phone Integration for Wireless Apple CarPlay/Wireless Android Auto capability for compatible phone, Connected Apps and Teen Driver.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, ventilated from seats, eight-way power front seats, power tilt & telescope steering wheel, automatic parking assist, HD surround vision, colour head-up display

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS

Safety Alert Package, (lane change alert with side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert), $230; dual panel power sunroof, $1,795; Technology package, (Air Ionizer, 20-cm colour reconfigurable gauge cluster, power tilt & telescope steering column, wireless phone charging ), $1,595; Stellar black metallic paint, $900; engine block heater, $195; all-weather floor liner front and rear, $255; monochrome Cadillac emblems, $260; Gloss black 20-in alloy wheels, $3,510; driver awareness package, (following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, Intellibeam headlights), $545; enhanced visibility package, (rear pedestrian alert, rear camera mirror, rear camera washer, HD Surround Vision, automatic parking assist with braking), $1,795; Premium comfort and convenience package, (leather seating surfaces, eight-way power passenger seat, driver and passenger power lumbar massage, driver and passenger four-way power lumbar control, driver and passenger power seatback bolster, driver and passenger ventilated seats), $3,055

MECHANICAL

Turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 235-horsepower, 258 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel. Nine-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive. NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 10.8/8.2

DIMENSIONS

Length, 4,600 mm; width, 1,948 mm; wheelbase, 2,779 mm; weight, 1,767 kg