Compare the2023 Mazda CX-50VS 2023 Cadillac XT4

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The CX-50’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.

Both the CX-50 and XT4 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-50Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic.

The CX-50’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-50 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.

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-50 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.

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-50’s reliability 40 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.

The CX-50’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-50 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the XT4:

For better stopping power the CX-50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The CX-50 stops much shorter than the XT4:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the XT4 (110.8 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XT4.

For better maneuverability, the CX-50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the XT4’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.3 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is 1.9 inches higher than on the XT4 (8.6 vs. 6.7 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-50 2.5 Turbo is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD (37 vs. 39 dB).

The CX-50 has .3 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear hip room than the XT4.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-50 easier. The CX-50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The CX-50’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50 Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-50’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-50 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-50’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-50’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-50 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.