Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2025 Cadillac XT4

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Cadillac XT4 has not been tested.

The CX-5 has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies 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-5. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The CX-5’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-5 and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 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, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

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-5’s reliability 31 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 4 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the XT4:

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
XT4
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-5 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 better stopping power the CX-5’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

	CX-5	XT4
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.6 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the XT4:

	CX-5	XT4
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the XT4 (110.7 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

The CX-5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the CX-5 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the XT4’s (36.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 S/Select has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the XT4 (8.2 vs. 6.7 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-5 S Premium Plus is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD (38 vs. 39 dB).

The CX-5 has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (106.5 vs. 101.3).

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	XT4
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	37.5”/67.4”
Max Width	57.5”	50”
Min Width	41.3”	38.7”
Height	33.9”	26.6”

The CX-5’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 XT4’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium Plus’ 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over 12 to one during 2025.