Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2024 Cadillac XT4

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-50 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac XT4 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The CX-50 has standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The XT4 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 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, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-50 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 an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The CX-50’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the XT4’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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 23 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 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 Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

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:

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-50 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 CX-50 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.

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.

The CX-50 handles at .87 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the XT4’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet). 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 Hybrid Preferred has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (7.6 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus’ 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 Premium Plus is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD (38 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’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’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’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.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-50 will be $404 to $8415 less than for the Cadillac XT4.

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

The Mazda CX-50 outsold the Cadillac XT4 by almost two to one during 2023.