Compare the2026 Cadillac XT5VS 2026 BMW X1

The XT5 (except Luxury’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.

The Cadillac XT5 comes with a standard HD Surround Vision with a rear camera washer to provide all-weather visibility, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the BMW X1 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

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, 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 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:

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:

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

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 62 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much 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 2025 Initial Quality Study. The X1 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 69 more horsepower (310 vs. 241) than the X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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.

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 X1 M35i xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The XT5 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (19.4 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (21.7 vs. 14.3 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.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the X1.

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

The XT5 stops shorter than the X1:

For better traction, the XT5 has larger tires than the X1 (235/65R18 vs. 225/55R18).

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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XT5’s wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the X1 (112.5 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT5 is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X1.

The XT5 has .8 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X1 with its rear seat up (30 vs. 25.7 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. 57.2 cubic feet).

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.

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.

The XT5’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Access standard on the X1 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XT5 has standard extendable sun visors. The X1 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the XT5 and the X1 have standard heated front seats. The XT5 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 (except Luxury) 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 Cadillac XT5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. BMW charges extra for Homelink® on the X1.

The XT5 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Cadillac XT5 and the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Cadillac XT5 outsold the BMW X1 by 1 units during 2024.