Compare the2024 Honda HR-VVS 2024 Cadillac XT4

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda HR-V have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Cadillac XT4 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The HR-V’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 HR-V 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 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the HR-V for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

There are over 88 percent more Honda dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’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 HR-V’s reliability 43 points higher than the XT4.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 11 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

On the EPA test cycle the HR-V gets better mileage than the XT4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda HR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The HR-V has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The HR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The HR-V stops shorter than the XT4:

For better maneuverability, the HR-V’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the XT4’s (35.1 feet vs. 38 feet). The HR-V Sport’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the XT4’s (37 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the HR-V LX/EX-L has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The HR-V Sport’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the XT4 (7.3 vs. 6.7 inches).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Cadillac XT4.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the HR-V easier. The HR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The HR-V’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in almost every dimension:

Insurance will cost less for the HR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the HR-V will cost $190 less than the XT4 over a five-year period.

The HR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the HR-V will retain 58.09% to 59.84% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 52.41% to 53.95%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda HR-V will be $13509 to $13800 less than for the Cadillac XT4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over five to one during 2023.