Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2023 Cadillac XT4

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q3’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.

Both the Q3 and XT4 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The XT4’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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 Q3. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The Q3’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.

Both the Q3 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, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	Q3	XT4
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	346	350
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches

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

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	Q3	XT4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	114
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	185 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	159	169
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	51 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	485 lbs.	522 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT4’s (12 vs. 6 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the XT4’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Q3’s reliability 23 points higher than the XT4.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 11 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi Q3 is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

	Q3	XT4
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.3 sec	23 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	87 MPH

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

	Q3	XT4
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.6 inches

The Q3 stops much shorter than the XT4:

	Q3	XT4
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	128 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT4 (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R20).

The Q3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT4’s standard 60 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Q3 is 4.5 inches shorter than the XT4, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the XT4 with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 22.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Q3’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in almost every dimension:

	Q3	XT4
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34”/65”	37.5”/67.4”
Max Width	54”	50”
Min Width	39”	38.7”
Height	28”	26.6”

Ergonomics

The Q3’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 Q3 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. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q3 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 Q3’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.

Economic Advantages

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 50.79% to 50.87% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 45.4% to 45.5%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because it costs $282 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the XT4, including $583 less for a muffler, $17 less for front brake pads, $30 less for fuel injection, $48 less for a fuel pump and $294 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q3 will be $2622 to $3110 less than for the Cadillac XT4.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Audi Q3 outsold the Cadillac XT4 by 15% during 2022.