Compare the2024 Cadillac XT4VS 2023 BMW X3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac XT4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 XT4 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the XT4 and X3 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the XT4 has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X3’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the XT4 and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT4 is safer than the BMW X3:

	XT4	X3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	43 lbs.	64 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 XT4 is safer than the BMW X3:

	XT4	X3
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	598 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	204	281
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	522 lbs.	624 lbs.

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

Warranty

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT4 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 60 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XT4’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT4 third among compact premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The X3 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

Engine

As tested in Consumer Reports the Cadillac XT4 is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	XT4	X3
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.6 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XT4 gets better mileage than the X3:

			MPG
XT4
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy
X3
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT4’s fuel efficiency. The X3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT4 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X3 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The XT4 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 X3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT4 higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X3 (5 to 7). This means the XT4 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X3 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT4, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X3.

Brakes and Stopping

The XT4 stops shorter than the X3:

	XT4	X3
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The XT4 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The X3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The XT4 Sport AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the X3 M40i xDrive pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT4 Sport AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the X3 xDrive30i (26.3 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XT4’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the X3’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Chassis

The Cadillac XT4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the BMW X3.

The XT4 is 5 inches shorter than the X3, making the XT4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XT4 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the XT4 Sport AWD is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive:

	XT4	X3
At idle	39 dB	40 dB
Full-Throttle	75 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The XT4 has 3.8 inches more front legroom and 3.1 inches more rear legroom than the X3.

The front step up height for the XT4 is 1.5 inches lower than the X3 (17” vs. 18.5”). The XT4’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the X3’s (17.5” vs. 18.5”).

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT4 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 X3 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 BMW. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

Ergonomics

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system 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 X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XT4’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 X3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT4 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the XT4’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the X3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the XT4 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT4 will cost $1010 to $3105 less than the X3 over a five-year period.

The XT4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the XT4 will retain 52.41% to 53.95% of its original price after five years, while the X3 only retains 50.69% to 52.37%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT4 is less expensive to operate than the X3 because typical repairs cost much less on the XT4 than the X3, including $356 less for a water pump, $242 less for a muffler, $47 less for front brake pads, $339 less for a starter, $115 less for fuel injection, $233 less for a fuel pump, $350 less for front struts, $26 less for a timing belt/chain and $738 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac XT4 will be $10246 to $19491 less than for the BMW X3.