Cadillac debuts the all-new XT5 crossover a week before the LA Auto Show (pictures)
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 is the automaker's replacement for the outgoing SRX. This all-new midsize crossover includes a whole host of upgrades, from a lightweight chassis to a whole host of newfangled technology.
The 2017 XT5 is the replacement for Cadillac's midsize SRX crossover.
The XT5 is the first Cadillac crossover to use the brand's new taxonomic structure. All crossovers will start with XT, and its number will denote its size and position relative to other vehicles in the lineup.
The XT5 rides on an all-new chassis that extends the wheelbase by two inches and the track by one inch. That extension gives rear-seat occupants an extra 3.2 inches of legroom over the outgoing SRX.
The XT5 is 278 pounds lighter than the SRX, 100 pounds lighter than an Audi Q5, and a staggering 650 pounds lighter than a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
The XT5 features several styling cues present on other late-model Cadillacs, including vertically oriented taillights and a headlight design with LED running lamps that nearly connect with the fog lights below.
US buyers will find one engine offering -- an all-new, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine putting out approximately 310 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
Chinese XT5 variants will feature a different engine -- a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder.
The US-spec engine features stop-start and cylinder-deactivation technologies to help bolster the car's fuel-economy figures.
No matter the motor, the XT5 sports an eight-speed automatic transmission and a choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
Opt for the 20-inch alloy wheels, and you'll also pick up Cadillac's continuous damping control, which improves ride quality by monitoring and adjusting the car's suspension to better match road quality.
The XT5 will come with a variety of optional safety features, including blind-spot monitoring (shown here), full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic parking assistance and forward collision warning with automatic low-speed braking.
The XT5's tailgate can be opened and closed by waving a foot under the rear bumper.
The XT5's rear seats now recline and slide forward and backward to give rear passengers a bit more comfort.
Cameras mounted around the XT5's exterior can provide a simulated bird's-eye view of the area around the car, which is great for tight parking maneuvers.
A high-dynamic-range camera out back can project real-time video onto the rearview mirror, improving visibility if the car is filled with cargo or very tall humans.
As with a variety of other Cadillac models, the XT5's door handles feature LED lighting.
The XT5's interior does away with the SRX's preponderance of vertical lines, opting for a simpler, horizontal layout instead.
Other tech hidden in the XT5's cabin includes an integrated wireless smartphone charger, an optional head-up display and 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
Cadillac's oft-maligned CUE touchscreen infotainment system now features a faster processor and includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
The XT5 will debut at two different auto shows in November -- the Los Angeles Auto Show and the Dubai Motor Show.
Pricing is not yet available for the XT5, but production begins in the US and China in spring 2016.