Compare the2025 Kia SportageVS 2024 Cadillac XT4

The Sportage’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 Sportage and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 Kia Sportage achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The XT4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the XT4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XT4 ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 38 percent more Kia dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sportage’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 Sportage’s reliability 18 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 6 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sportage uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Sportage 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.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.3 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Sportage to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Cadillac XT4.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Sportage X-Pro Prestige is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD (37 vs. 39 dB).

The Sportage has .2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, 3.6 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT4’s (2500 vs. 2000 pounds).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Sportage will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Sportage will retain 54.88% to 56.18% 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 Kia Sportage will be $4688 to $9011 less than for the Cadillac XT4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XT4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over six to one during 2023.