Compare the2023 Cadillac XT5VS 2023 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XT5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Q3 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the XT5 and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	XT5	Q3
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	147	326
Neck Injury Risk	24%	39%
Neck Stress	188 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	35 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	287	346
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	186 lbs.
Neck Compression	53 lbs.	83 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	22/17 lbs.	261/249 lbs.

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 Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	XT5	Q3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	184 lbs.	333 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	399	504
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	47 G’s

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

Warranty

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 84 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the XT5 has a standard 170-amp alternator (155-amp - XT5 V6 without Towing Package). The Q3’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XT5 has a standard 730-amp battery. The Q3’s 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 XT5’s reliability 54 points higher than the Q3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 third among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 76 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (235 vs. 228) than the Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 82 more horsepower (310 vs. 228) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 258) than the Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the Audi Q3:

	XT5	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.4 MPH	85.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The Q3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (19.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (21.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The XT5 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Q3.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XT5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

	XT5	Q3
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	11.8 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		12.2 inches

The XT5 stops much shorter than the Q3:

	XT5	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Audi Q3 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The XT5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the Q3 (112.5 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The XT5 AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Q3 (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XT5 has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (7.8 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the XT5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The XT5 has 20.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (104.5 vs. 84).

The XT5 has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

Cargo Capacity

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The XT5’s cargo area is larger than the Q3’s in almost every dimension:

	XT5	Q3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	41.5”/75”	34”/65”
Max Width	51”	54”
Min Width	41.6”	39”
Height	30”	28”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the XT5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q3 is limited to 1500 pounds. The XT5 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT5 uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The XT5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XT5’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Q3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The XT5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

When the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the XT5 and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Q3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The XT5 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the XT5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT5 will cost $195 less than the Q3 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT5 is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because typical repairs cost much less on the XT5 than the Q3, including $131 less for a water pump, $323 less for a starter, $497 less for front struts and $298 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Audi Q3 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 second among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Cadillac XT5 outsold the Audi Q3 by 29% during 2020.