Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Cadillac XT4

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XT4 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The CX-5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the XT4.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature’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 CX-5 and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	CX-5	XT4
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	190
Neck Injury Risk	23%	28%
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	43 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	350
Chest Compression	.5 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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	CX-5	XT4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	114
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	185 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	328 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	524 lbs.	598 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	35 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	522 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

Reliability

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 CX-5’s reliability 41 points higher than the XT4.

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

Engine

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (256 vs. 235) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

	CX-5	XT4
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	2.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.9 sec	23 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	8.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.2 sec	4.2 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.6 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	87 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the XT4:

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
XT4
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-5 stops shorter than the XT4:

	CX-5	XT4
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the XT4’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-5 is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD (38 vs. 39 dB).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 2.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (103.6 vs. 101.3).

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and 5.5 inches more rear hip room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	XT4
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	38”	37.5”/67.4”
Max Width	57”	50”
Min Width	41.3”	38.7”
Height	32.4”	26.6”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Ergonomics

The CX-5’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.

The CX-5 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 CX-5’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.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XT4’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The XT4 (except Luxury)’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium/Turbo’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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the CX-5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the XT4 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

The CX-5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-5 will retain 50.99% to 51.37% 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 CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because it costs $546 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-5 than the XT4, including $288 less for a water pump, $489 less for a muffler, $47 less for front brake pads, $23 less for a starter, $79 less for fuel injection, $39 less for a fuel pump, $666 less for a timing belt/chain and $356 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-5 will be $3154 to $10580 less than for the Cadillac XT4.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Cadillac XT4 by almost seven to one during 2022.