Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Cadillac XT5

The BMW X2 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X2’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X2 and the XT5 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, and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X2 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 195 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT5 was last qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT5’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 17th.

The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 271) than the XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW X2 is faster than the Cadillac XT5 V6:

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the XT5:

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XT5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2 M35i’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT5:

The X2 stops much shorter than the XT5:

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT5’s standard 65 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XT5’s optional 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XT5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X2 xDrive28i handles at .91 G’s, while the XT5 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the XT5 AWD (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X2’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the XT5’s (37.2 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The X2’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the XT5 w/20” wheels’ (37.2 feet vs. 39 feet).

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Cadillac XT5.

The X2 is 1 foot, 5.4 inches shorter than the XT5, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X2 xDrive28i is quieter than the XT5 AWD:

The front step up height for the X2 is 1.9 inches lower than the XT5 (16.6” vs. 18.5”). The X2’s rear step up height is 3 inches lower than the XT5’s (17” vs. 20”).

The X2’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 X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X2 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT5 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The X2’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The XT5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X2’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the XT5’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The X2 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X2 will retain 48.65% to 51.59% of its original price after five years, while the XT5 only retains 42.02% to 43.14%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X2 will be $6369 to $7117 less than for the Cadillac XT5.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X2 and the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance.