Welcome aboard the Cadillac XT5, ladies and gentlemen.
This is a car which is incredibly popular in the States, but which is also available in the Netherlands.
The only problem is, that it isn't very popular in the Netherlands.
Today we're going to find out why, and if this car is the alternative...
if you're looking for a car like the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 or the Volvo XC60.
Just to clear things up, this XT5 is the successor to the Cadillac SRX.
We've already known that car for some generations now, but this XT5 is a little different.
Because when it comes to platform, Cadillac has applied some improvements.
The base of the car is completely new. It's a modular architecture,
which Cadillac is going to use for other SUV's and crossovers as well.
They've used a lot aluminium, which makes is about 70 kg's lighter than the SRX.
It still isn't a lightweight though, because the version we're driving still weighs 1913 kg.
It's quite the heavy car...
Also when it comes to the drivetrain and such technologies, Cadillac hasn't been improving them the last couple of years.
Basically, this car still has the same 3.6 V6 from the SRX.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear; it's a fantasticly nice machine.
It's very supple, and it's got a very pleasant personality.
It's always connected to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
And if you're cruising down the American roads, you'll really enjoy yourself. It really is a joy to drive this.
But even though it has cylinder deactivation, sometimes it's a V4 instead of a V6,
and a start-stop system, for if you're stopped at a traffic light.
But still, you have to keep in mind that the fuel consumption is high. We're talking an average consumption of 10 km per litre,
if you're lucky that is. Right now we're doing 6 or 8 kilometres per litre.
And yes, this is my extra serious face,
because that's the big problem of this car.
The 3.6 V6 is the only engine Cadillac supplies in this car, and that's the reason it's so expensive.
Because it emits 229 gram of CO2 per litre, and that brings the starting price up to €92.900.
But that's in the Netherlands. In Belgium, this car is €42.000 cheaper.
The version we're driving today, the Platinum, the fully loaded one,
costs €111.000. If you compare that with rivals from BMW, Mercedes,
Audi, Volvo, and so on... They all cost less,
and that makes the competition quite the issue.
And that's too bad, because we've done about 1200 kilometres in this XT5,
and I have to say we're impressed by its handling.
It's a surprisingly smooth car, it's very nice to drive.
It's got a conventional chassis with steel springs and passive dampers.
That's a very nice thing, it really is a car which welcomes you.
The interior looks good as well. Good finishing, good materials.
Cadillac could've scored better on the User Experience though, the so called UEX.
The user experience aboard this car...
In here, we find a touchscreen with a proximity sensor, which detects if your hand is near.
There aren't a lot of buttons, the menu's are a little vague,
it's a little slow, the buttons aren't clearly recognizable,
it's quite a small screen according to today's measurements.
Take the volume control for example. When you're driving, your finger goes everywhere,
and because it's a sort of touchscreen, it just doesn't work properly.
And that's too bad, because for the rest the experience in here is very good.
A lot of room as well. It really is a car which you should consider,
if only it wasn't so expensive.
A possible solution could be Cadillac supplying this XT5 with...
the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from the ATS. Weirdly enough, that's already possible in China,
but it has yet to come to the Netherlands.
Also, it doesn't come as a diesel, and the significantly reduces chances for this car in the Netherlands.
It's really meant for people who want something different, and who have stacked wallets.
And that's unfortunate, because if it's up to us,
the Cadillac XT5 deserves a better future.