Compare the2022 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2022 Cadillac XT5

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4Runner has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XT5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 4Runner 4WD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT5 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The 4Runner’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Cadillac XT5:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT5.

There are over 41 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 24 points higher than the XT5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6 produces 35 more horsepower (270 vs. 235) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (278 vs. 258) than the XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6 produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (278 vs. 271) than the XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT5 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 4Runner has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 21.7 gallons).

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger standard tires than the XT5 (245/60R20 vs. 235/65R18). The 4Runner’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT5 (265/70R17 vs. 235/65R18).

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XT5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XT5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the XT5’s (58.2% to 41.8%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 4Runner’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the XT5’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The 4Runner’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the XT5 w/20” wheels’ (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT5 (9.6 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 4Runner TRD Off-Road is quieter than the XT5 AWD:

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XT5 can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has 23.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT5 (128 vs. 104.5).

The 4Runner has .5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT5.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT5.

The 4Runner 5-Passenger’s optional sliding cargo floor is capable of supporting 440 pounds, to make loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The XT5 doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The 4Runner’s cargo area is larger than the XT5’s in almost every dimension:

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XT5’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT5’s (5000 vs. 1000 pounds).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT5. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT5’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4Runner has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The 4Runner will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4Runner will retain 60.09% to 69.29% of its original price after five years, while the XT5 only retains 38.6% to 39.93%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4Runner is less expensive to operate than the XT5 because it costs $700 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 4Runner than the XT5, including $408 less for a muffler, $64 less for front brake pads, $59 less for fuel injection, $37 less for front struts and $481 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota 4Runner will be $14923 to $14998 less than for the Cadillac XT5.

The TRD Pro was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2015 4x4 of the Year. The XT5 has never been chosen.