2017 Cadillac XT5: Searching For Life Beyond The Escalade

In America, “Cadillac SUV” means one thing: the Cadillac Escalade. Yes, there’s a Cadilac SRX with some sizable sales, but in its two generations the SRX has not made much of a dent in the booming realm of luxury haulers. After providing a first look in September, Cadillac has dropped all the details on its newest push for that golden SUV market, the 2017 XT5. And much like its stablemates, the XT5 wants to pick an argument with the heftier haulers from Germany.

While the same size as the outgoing SRX, the new XT5 weighs 278 lbs. less, and adds 3 inches in rear-seat room thanks to a stretched wheelbase. Cadillac points out the XT5 now weighs 100 lbs. less than an Audi Q5, and 650 lbs. less than a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class—although there will be Germanic fans who instantly equate mass with luxury.