Compare the2023 Cadillac XT5VS 2022 BMW X2

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The X2 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac XT5 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XT5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking optional in the XT5 as “Superior.” The X2 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The X2 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The X2 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X2 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Compared to metal, the XT5’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The BMW X2 has a metal gas tank.

Both the XT5 and the X2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 60 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the XT5 has a standard 170-amp alternator (155-amp - XT5 V6 without Towing Package). The X2’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 XT5’s reliability 47 points higher than the X2.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (235 vs. 228) than the X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 9 more horsepower (310 vs. 301) than the X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the BMW X2 2.0:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The X2 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X2 (19.4 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X2 (21.7 vs. 16.1 gallons).

The XT5 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X2 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT5 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the BMW X2 (3 to 7). This means the XT5 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X2 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X2.

For better stopping power the XT5’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X2:

The XT5 stops much shorter than the X2:

For better traction, the XT5 has larger tires than the X2 (235/65R18 vs. 225/50R18).

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X2 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 7.4 inches longer than on the X2 (112.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 3 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X2.

For greater off-road capability the XT5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X2 (7.8 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the XT5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The X2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the XT5 AWD is quieter than the X2 xDrive28i (68 vs. 72 dB).

The XT5 has 10.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X2 (104.5 vs. 94.1).

The XT5 has .5 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X2.

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X2 with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 21.6 cubic feet). The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X2 with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

The XT5’s cargo area is larger than the X2’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the XT5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X2 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The XT5 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The X2 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT5 uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X2 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The XT5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X2 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X2 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XT5’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X2 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X2 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XT5 has standard extendable sun visors. The X2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The XT5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X2. The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X2.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The X2’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Insurance will cost less for the XT5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT5 will cost $455 to $2540 less than the X2 over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The BMW X2 isn't recommended.

The Cadillac XT5 outsold the BMW X2 by almost six to one during the 2021 model year.