Compare the2023 Cadillac XT5VS 2023 Volvo XC40

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 XC40 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the XT5 and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 Volvo XC40:

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 Volvo XC40:

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

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

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 30 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 third among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 93 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo 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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

The XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (235 vs. 194) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 63 more horsepower (310 vs. 247) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 258) than the XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The XC40 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The XC40 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (19.4 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (21.7 vs. 14.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT5 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (5). This means the XT5 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

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 XC40.

For better stopping power the XT5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

The XT5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The XT5 stops much shorter than the XC40:

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volvo XC40 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

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 XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the XC40 (112.5 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40.

The XT5 AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus AWD (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

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 XC40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT5 has 6.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (104.5 vs. 98).

The XT5 has .7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear hip room than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the XT5’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The XT5’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the XT5, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

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 XC40 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 XC40 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature 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 XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XT5 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Cadillac XT5 and the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Cadillac XT5 outsold the Volvo XC40 by 18% during the 2021 model year.