Compare the2024 Cadillac XT5VS 2022 BMW X1

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
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The X1 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac XT5 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 X1 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 XT5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X1 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking optional in the XT5 as “Superior.” The X1 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

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 for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The X1 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 X1 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X1 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X1 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X1 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the XT5 and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

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 BMW X1:

	XT5	X1
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	147	328
Neck Injury Risk	24%	32%
Neck Stress	188 lbs.	360 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	60 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	175 lbs.
Neck Compression	53 lbs.	68 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	22/17 lbs.	309/268 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 BMW X1:

	XT5	X1
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	112	143
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	154 lbs.
Hip Force	184 lbs.	486 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	183	193
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	799 lbs.	815 lbs.

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 BMW covers the X1. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X1 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 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 X1’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 third among midsize premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The X1 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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

The XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (235 vs. 228) than the X1’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 X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the BMW X1:

	XT5	X1
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.4 MPH	90.5 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 X1 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (19.4 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (21.7 vs. 16.1 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 X1 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 X1.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XT5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

	XT5	X1
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	11.8 inches

The XT5 stops much shorter than the X1:

	XT5	X1
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XT5 has larger tires than the X1 (235/65R18 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT5 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The X1’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X1 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 X1’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 7.4 inches longer than on the X1 (112.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the X1.

For greater off-road capability the XT5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (7.8 vs. 7.2 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 X1 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the XT5 AWD is quieter than the X1 xDrive28i (68 vs. 70 dB).

Passenger Space

The XT5 has 3.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X1 (104.5 vs. 101.2).

The XT5 has .8 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X1 with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 27.1 cubic feet). The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 58.7 cubic feet).

The XT5’s cargo area is larger than the X1’s in almost every dimension:

	XT5	X1
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	41.5”/75”	35.1”/69”
Max Width	51”	51.5”
Min Width	41.6”	39.5”
Height	30”	33”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the XT5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The XT5 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The X1 has no 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 X1 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 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 X1 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 X1 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 X1 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 X1 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The XT5’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the X1’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The XT5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X1. 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 X1.

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 X1 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 X1’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT5 is less expensive to operate than the X1 because typical repairs cost much less on the XT5 than the X1, including $266 less for a water pump, $114 less for a muffler, $44 less for front brake pads, $316 less for a starter, $120 less for fuel injection, $268 less for a fuel pump, $259 less for front struts, $254 less for a timing belt/chain and $383 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The BMW X1 isn't recommended.

The Cadillac XT5 outsold the BMW X1 by almost four to one during 2022.

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