Compare the2025 Cadillac XT5VS 2024 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon

The XT5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Both the XT5 and the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The XT5’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 47 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XT5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 first among midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 22 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 13 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (19.4 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (21.7 vs. 17.4 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the XT5 has larger tires than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (235/65R18 vs. 225/45R19).

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The XT5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the XT5’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The XT5 w/20” wheels’ turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s (39 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XT5 has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (7.8 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the XT5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Cadillac XT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 650 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

The XT5 is 5.3 inches shorter than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, making the XT5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT5 has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 2.9 inches more rear legroom than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the XT5’s rear seats recline. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s rear seats don’t recline.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The XT5 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Cadillac XT5 outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by 57% during 2023.