Compare the2023 BMW X1VS 2023 Cadillac XT5

The BMW X1 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.

The X1 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 XT5 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 X1. But it costs extra on the XT5.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X1’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X1 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X1 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport has a rear cross-path warning system.

The X1’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 XT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X1 and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 around view monitors.

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT5’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 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 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 X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (241 vs. 235) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 271) than the XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the XT5:

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (8 out of 10) than the Cadillac XT5 (6 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 6.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XT5 every 15,000 miles.

The X1 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XT5 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X1’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 traction, the X1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT5 (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R18).

The X1’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 XT5’s standard 65 series tires. The X1’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XT5’s optional 55 series tires.

The X1’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.7% to 43.3%) than the XT5’s (58.2% to 41.8%). This gives the X1 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the X1’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the XT5’s (38.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The X1’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the XT5 w/20” wheels’ (38.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT5 (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X1 is 1 foot shorter than the XT5, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X1 has 2.4 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more rear headroom than the XT5.

The X1’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT5’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

If the windows are left open on the X1 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 XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X1 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 X1’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.