Compare the2023 BMW X4VS 2023 Cadillac XT4

The X4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The XT4 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X4 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XT4 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The XT4 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X4. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The X4’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the XT4.

The X4’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 XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X4 and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The X4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT4’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 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 XT4.

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 X4’s reliability 33 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 third among compact premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XT4 isn’t in the top three.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (248 vs. 235) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 147 more horsepower (382 vs. 235) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the X4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X4 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X4 has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the XT4 AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 16.3 gallons).

For better stopping power the X4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The X4 stops much shorter than the XT4:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the XT4 (245/50R19 vs. 235/60R18).

The X4’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 XT4’s standard 60 series tires. The X4’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT4. The X4’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XT4.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X4 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XT4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the XT4 (112.8 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 is .3 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XT4.

The X4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.2% to 49.8%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the X4 more stable handling and braking.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X4 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the X4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X4 has .9 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X4’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X4 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X4’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the X4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT4. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The X4’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 XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the X4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X4 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 XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The X4’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 XT4 Luxury’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The XT4 (except Luxury)’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X4’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The X4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X4 will retain 49.07% to 49.17% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 45.4% to 45.5%.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 second among compact premium SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XT4 isn’t in the top three.