MISSION CRITICAL
FIRST DRIVE: 2017 CADILLAC XT5,
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. • Meandering 1,015 metres above Lake Elsinore, the Ortega highway is a 71- kilometre asphalt serpent connecting California’s Orange and Riverside Counties via the Santa Ana Mountains. The narrow strip of pavement hugs sheer rock walls, and comes within inches of a sickening drop into the canyon below.
Depending on your car’s suspension, it’ s either a satisfying pendulum sweep through the switchbacks or a nausea- inducing wallow with great potential for disaster. Happily, the crossover we’re in is tight enough to handle the hairpins without rolling, brakes without nosedives, yet is supple enough to satisfy the comfort-driven expectations of its target demographic.
Cadillac considers the XT5 luxury mid- size crossover its “most critical launch in Canadian history”. It’s not hard to see why. Canada is Cadillac’s third- largest market in the world, and the XT5 is the first in a series of new crossovers heading for production. It will replace the SRX, the automaker’s topselling vehicle both here and in the U.S.
In such an SUV- driven market, it’s absolutely crucial that the XT5 help the company hang onto the sales momentum established by the SRX. Cadillac has reportedly invested some US$12 billion in developing the new lineup to put it in a better position to compete with BMW, Audi and Mercedes- Benz, all of which offer several crossover choices.
While the new vehicles will reflect a softening of the boxy “arts and science” design ethos that re-established Cadillac as a luxury-brand player, company president Johan De Nysschen said the changes will be “evolutionary, rather than revolutionary”.
Indeed, at first glance, the XT5 seems little different than the outgoing SRX. But the pugnacious boxiness of the former’s grille has been replaced with a CT6- like nose. Chunky headlights give way to vertical integrated LEDs, the gigantic wreath is now a discreet badge, and even the chrome has been toned down. The look is one of refinement, rather than bold bling.
Th eXT 5 has a longer wheelbase, and rides on a wider track for a more planted stance. Side creases and black lower cladding create the illusion of a slimmer profile, and the rear wiper is tucked up under a new roof spoiler for a cleaner rear finish. The cabin has been completely redesigned, with horizontal planes made up of plump, sewn materials rather than moulded panels.
“If it looks like leather, it is leather,” said Rob Whitley, Cadillac Marketing. “If it looks like wood, it is wood, and if it looks like carbon fibre, it’s real carbon fibre.”
Rear legroom expands and the 40/ 20/40- split second row now slides and reclines. More glass, including a panoramic sunroof, imparts an open, airy feel.
New technology includes an updated version of Cadillac’s CUE connectivity system — with Apple Car Play and Android Auto as standard features — and optional wireless charging. Notable is a slick rear- view mirror that uses cameras to relay an unobstructed panoramic rear view. Sound gimmicky? That’s what we thought at first, but in practice it’s brilliant and virtually eliminates blind spots during highway lane changes.
Upper trim levels come with a standard Driver Awareness package that includes a safety- alert seat, forward-collision alert, lanekeeping system, pedestrian detection, automatic braking and automatic high beams. Optional is a $ 3,195 Driver Assist package with adaptive cruise control, auto front
(OUR AIMS ARE) EVOLUTIONARY ... RATHER THAN REVOLUTIONARY.
braking with pedestrian protection, auto rear braking, automatic collision braking, auto safety belt tightening, and advanced park assist.
The single powertrain (for now) is the updated 3.6-litre V- 6 previously seen in the ATS and CTS, now with 310 horsepower and 275 poundfeet of torque. It’s matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission with GM’s first “shift by wire” digital shifter. Chinese markets will be getting a 2.0- L turbo- charged four cylinder, with more torque and better fuel economy; fingers crossed it eventually lands in Canada as well.
The XT5 is available in either front- wheel or new twin- clutch all- wheel- drive configurations, but the base model, at $ 45,100, can only be had with front- wheel drive. Luxury models offer a choice of drive, at $49,250 and $52,120 respectively. The top two trims, Premium Luxury ($ 59,830) and Platinum ($68,595), are available only with AWD.
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 is scheduled to arrive in Canada this spring.