2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than a premium product.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined vehicle brand. Updated for the 2020 model year, the XT5 featured 40 upgrades, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology, which carried over to the 2021 model. The exterior had a snub-nosed design with standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5's interior was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with a focus on straightforward materials and thoughtful design. The Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a level of finery that had been missing from Cadillac for much of the last decade.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a simplified lineup with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a well-matched driving experience, with the CR-V feeling quick, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced in 2020, offered even higher fuel economy.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response, though it could benefit from more low-end torque. The XT5's engine start-stop technology was seamless, except for its impact on the HVAC system. The XT5 AWD achieved about 25 mpg during testing, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD, comparable to rivals like the Infiniti QX50 and Acura RDX.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. It provided excellent head- and legroom, with a seating position that maximized front visibility. The cargo compartment matched the Tiguan in volume, with clever storage solutions like a deep center console and a two-position load floor. The CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and even the door pockets were spacious, making it easy to live with.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably, though the back seat offered limited headroom for tall occupants. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV featured a reasonable 30 cubic feet of cargo space. However, wheel bump-outs reduced the width of the cargo area. The XT5's cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight, and map pockets were small.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen standard on the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The system included a rotary controller on the center console, though it crowded the screen's aesthetics. The XT5 offered one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The XT5 also featured a rear camera mirror and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim offering better headlights.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, and Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit vehicle features for young drivers. The XT5's safety features provided a sufficient level of alert capability without being intrusive.