The 2024 Cadillac XT4 review: updated and spacious with a tech-enhanced interior

By Colin Ryan

Pricing starts at $37,895.

Pros

Cabin spaceGenerous standard equipment

Cons

Non-luxury ride qualityUnwelcome cabin noise

What's new?

Styling revisionsUpdated infotainment tech

The 2024 Cadillac XT4 luxury subcompact SUV impresses with space and standard equipment while receiving updates this year. As a complete package, though, there's still room for improvement. Pricing starts at $37,895.

Calling the Cadillac XT4 a subcompact SUV is perhaps selling it somewhat short. It competes in the same arena as vehicles like the Audi A3 and BMW (XE:BMW) X1, but Cadillac chose to go outside the niches, providing a relatively roomy cabin. The company does the same with its larger SUVs as well.

However, other manufacturers are hip to this ploy. For example, the Audi Q3 is also spacious for the class, and Mercedes-Benz (XE:MBG) has the GLB slotting, predictably, between the GLA and GLC SUVs. So buyers still have attractive alternatives to the 2024 XT4.

See: The redesigned BMW X1: For under $40K, the roomy little SUV is your luxury-car starter

2024 Cadillac XT4 pricing

The 2024 Cadillac XT4 starts at $37,895. That gets you the base Luxury trim. Beyond that, trim levels take a kind of forked path. Premium Luxury and Sport are very closely priced at $41,495 and $41,995, respectively. But as their names suggest, one becomes more luxurious and the other more sporty.

For some context, the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40 have pricing similar to the XT4 -- with the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLB, and Lincoln Corsair costing a little more. The Lexus UX should be one of the most affordable choices among this crowd.

   2024 Cadillac XT4   MSRP 
   XT4 Luxury          $37,895 
   XT4 Premium Luxury  $41,495 
   Sport               $41,995 

These are manufacturer's suggested retail prices and don't include the $1,195 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Before buying a new Cadillac XT4 small luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are average for the class.

What's new for 2024

Having launched for the 2019 model year, it's time for a mid-generation refreshment of the Cadillac XT4. This consists mainly of styling revisions to the nose and tail, plus fresh designs of 18-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Perhaps the most impactful upgrade is a big new curved display that measures 33 inches on the diagonal and comprises the driver information and infotainment systems.

Google (GOOGL) Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play (offering various apps) come on board. The optional Wi-Fi setup evolves to 5G, and the XT4 now offers a 13-speaker audio system from AKG.

The optional Active Safety Package offered with the top two trims gains Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking.

See: 10 of the best luxury cars you can get for less than $40,000

Driving the 2024 Cadillac XT4

In theory, 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged engine sounds like a decent amount of muscle. In practice, it hasn't quite worked out that way.

For around-town duties, the XT4 seems punchy enough. Not that it's particularly fast, taking almost 8 seconds to go from standstill to 60 mph. Ask the engine to work harder, and it also starts to sound coarser, not befitting of a luxury marque at all. This is exacerbated by the wind and road noise that comes into the cabin at higher speeds -- even though Cadillac fits active noise cancellation as standard.

Cadillacs of old were renowned for their pliant suspensions and comfortable ride qualities. The XT4 is most definitely not an old-school Caddie. Actually, it could use some of that suppleness because the ride can be jittery.

On the plus side, there's the raised driving position, excellent outward vision, and the XT4 is easy to park thanks to its small footprint.

We've spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of luxury subcompact SUVs, including the current-generation Cadillac XT4.

Check out: 10 new cars worth waiting for

Tech-enhanced interior

A new dashboard accommodates the latest addition to the XT4's cabin, a generously sized driver information display and infotainment screen all set into one unit. The Premium Luxury trim offers brushed aluminum accents, while the Sport model can be ordered with carbon fiber touches.

This is Cadillac's least expensive model, but it's still a little disappointing that a few hard plastics remain in the cabin. We appreciate some of the other details, like the feature that keeps the windows, sunroof, climate control, and audio system powered for 10 minutes after the ignition has been switched off.

Rear legroom of 39.5 inches is about as good as this class gets. Cargo space of 22.5 cubic feet (rear seats in place, and big enough for four golf bags) to 48.9 cubic feet (rear seats folded) is beaten by the BMW X1, yet still compares well with the rest of the rivals.

Revised exterior

A new grille and different LED headlights differentiate the 2024 XT4 SUV from the previous year's look, bringing this small SUV into closer harmony with the much larger Escalade and the all-electric Lyriq SUV. Fresh paint colors this year are Emerald Lake Metallic, Midnight Sky Metallic, and Deep Sea Metallic.

More: The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq luxury electric SUV is smooth, stylish and responsive with great range--at a nice price

Our favorite features and tech

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android AutoEvery new XT4 has this convenience feature as standard.

Comfortable front seatsAs they should be for a luxury SUV, subcompact or otherwise. There's quite a bit of space in the 2024 XT4 to enhance the comfort and support, though, so the driver and front passenger won't feel claustrophobic.

Sport trimAs well as extra bolstering to the front seats, the 2024 XT4 Sport comes with a specially tuned adaptive suspension. This seems well-suited to the XT4's basic character.

Active Safety PackageAvailable with the Premium Luxury and Sport trims, this options bundle includes a 360-degree camera system, side bicyclist alert, rear pedestrian alert, and -- new for 2024 -- Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking.

AKG audioAKG is an Austrian company with a great reputation for making, among other things, high-quality microphones. The 2024 XT4 adds a 13-speaker AKG sound system to its options list.

All-wheel driveAvailable as an option across the 2024 XT4 range, this intelligent system can send power to whichever wheels have the most traction.

Engine and transmission

Despite changes in other areas, the 2024 XT4's engine stays the same. It's a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit developing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel-saving features include an engine stop/restart function and cylinder deactivation (known as Active Fuel Management). Premium gasoline is recommended.

A 9-speed automatic transmission sends drive to the front wheels (FWD) in standard form or to an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine235 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy (2023 figures): 23/30 mpg (FWD), 22/29 mpg (AWD)

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4-year/50,000-mile warranty

Cadillac's new-vehicle warranty is typical for the luxury sector, lasting for four years or 50,000 miles -- whichever happens first. The powertrain warranty is a little better than average, though, providing six years or 70,000 miles coverage.

KBB's car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.

-Colin Ryan

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11-29-23 0459ET

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