2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a design that was a blend of modern and traditional elements. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, which were combined with a compact footprint and tall profile. This resulted in a distinctive yet somewhat awkward appearance. The XT5’s trim levels, Premium Luxury and Sport, offered different styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less memorable compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a unique and athletic design, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback appearance. The Sport Prestige model added character with unique styling features, including 21-inch wheels and giant round exhaust outlets. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane’s wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector that added a futuristic touch. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, making it a standout in its segment.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth power delivery and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which provided a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, offering nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin was impressively quiet.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving. However, the GV70’s chassis felt heavy, and the steering lacked precision for aggressive driving. The ride was firm, especially with 21-inch wheels, and the exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows compared to its German rivals, although the seats could have been more comfortable. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the front included a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 had mid-pack interior space, offering similar headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle of the segment. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports and rear-seat climate controls. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, although some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While the infotainment system was improved, it still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size and graphics. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not user-friendly, and the button layout was confusing. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. The glass rotary controller was functional and high-quality, with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles, included free for three years.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, but had a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” LATCH rating.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70 had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. While crash-test ratings were not available, the Highway Driving Assist system provided smooth control inputs, although lane-centering struggled with curves.