You could have your very own Cadillac in your driveway. While it may not be a high-end, ultra-luxury offering like the Celestiq or a range-topping Escalade, the XT5 will still bring a solid slice of Caddy flavor to your life. We wouldn’t blame you for opting for a vehicle sporting a Honda or Toyota badge, mind you. But scour the used market, and you could get a modern machine with a little bit more special sauce for the same money.
A Near-Luxury Cadillac For Honda CR-V Money
2020 Cadillac XT5 front 3/4 angle in gray while parkedCadillac
While the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are positioned toward the lower end of the SUV market and are aimed at those who simply need dependable, affordable family transportation, the XT5 is priced higher to capture buyers seeking a taste of the high life.
Indeed, while the base CR-V LX and RAV4 LE models start from $30,920 and $31,900 respectively, an entry-level 2026 XT5 Luxury FWD will demand $44,300 from your bank account. That extra money goes beyond providing you with a better badge, with the main improvement found in the cabin. The XT5’s fixtures and fittings are crafted from more premium-feeling materials, with environmentally friendly leatherette seats and wood trim immediately making you feel like you’re sitting in something that costs more money. It’s also more refined, with the cabin doing a better job of keeping out outside noise compared to the cheaper Japanese alternatives.
By contrast, the Japanese rivals feature cheaper plastics, while the base trims only offer cloth seats. The XT5 also comes with additional standard equipment, such as a heated steering wheel and powered seats.
Still, for those looking for an SUV that is dependable and affordable, it is admittedly tough to justify spending over $10k more to have a posher cabin and classier exterior looks. That’s where the used market sweeps in to save the day.
A $52k Cadillac For $33k: How Depreciation Creates A Genuine Bargain
Silver 2023 Cadillac XT5 rear-1 endCadillac
Should the posher XT5 grab your attention more than one of the more sensible options from Honda and Toyota, then perhaps opting for a used example for the same price as a mid-range CR-V or RAV4 could be an appealing option. According to the CarBuzz Marketplace, you can pick up a three-year-old XT5 Premium Luxury AWD model, which is only one level below the range-topping Sport variant, for an average of just $33,064. Seeing as such a vehicle commanded $51,995 when it was brand new just 36 months ago, that is a remarkable deal.
For context, mid-range versions of the CR-V and RAV4 – namely the EX-L AWD and XLE AWD, respectively – will cost you considerably more. While the CR-V can be had for $36,900, the RAV4 is more at $37,500. Yes, you will have a brand-new car for that money, but the Cadillac offers a vastly more luxurious experience and more standard equipment for considerably less outlay. This is mainly possible due to the XT5 suffering from a depreciation standpoint, with an iSeeCars study from 2023 reporting that the model loses an eye-opening 53.9% of its original value over just five years.
This is primarily due to the XT5 being aimed at the luxury market, which practically guarantees a car will struggle to hold its value. Such cars are usually more expensive to maintain, while their wealthier original buyers are much more likely to move on to the latest model rather than keep one long-term. As a result, the model’s used value has to come down to make it appealing alongside lower-end vehicles that cost the same kind of money. For context, the same study showed that the RAV4 depreciated by just 27.4% across the same timeline.
The XT5’s 9-Speed Automatic (And Optional 310-hp V6) Leave The CR-V’s CVT Behind
White 2023 Cadillac XT5 side-1 shotCadillac
It’s all well and good buying the Caddy because it provides a nicer cabin, but there’s a lot more to buying an SUV than that. After all, what’s the point of having such a vehicle if it lacks adequate power? The XT5 Premium Luxury comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four as standard, sending 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft to both axles. This puts it well clear of the Honda’s 1.5-liter engine that pumps out just 190 hp, though the RAV4’s 2.5-liter I4 hybrid combo provides a little more grunt with a combined 236 hp.
At the same time, the RAV4’s added electrical power ensures it’s vastly more fuel-efficient than the Cadillac, with its combined 42 MPG leaving it well ahead of the XT5’s 24 MPG. The CR-V may be down on power, but it is at least considerably more fuel-efficient than the Cadillac as well, with a combined 29 MPG. For those with a decent amount of sensible fibers within their body, the added cost of keeping the XT5 fueled up could prove concerning.
That said, drivers who prefer a more engaging drive will be pleased to learn that while the Japanese SUVs only come with a single-speed CVT, the XT5 gets a nine-speed automatic transmission that at least allows for some driver engagement. Shop around, and you’ll also be able to find an XT5 Premium Luxury equipped with the optional 3.6-liter V6 power plant, which brings 310 hp to the table.
Factor In $3k+ More In Maintenance And Insurance Before You Pull The Trigger
GM LGX V6 engine TOPCars.com
In a comparison that increasingly comes down to what you want versus what you should want, the XT5 will cost you more in ways beyond simply being less fuel-efficient. While depreciation shouldn’t be a massive problem, given you’ll be purchasing a three-year-old example that has already suffered the lion’s share of its value loss, it’ll still lose more residual value over the following years than either the Honda or Toyota.
According to CarEdge, you’ll also pay more for insurance. While the Japanese cars should cost just under $10k each to insure over five years, the XT5 will cost you over $13k over the same period.
Then there is the cost of maintenance. CarEdge reports that while the RAV4 and CR-V should cost $1,938 and $2,425, respectively, in maintenance across the first five years, the XT5 will exceed the $3k mark. The XT5 has proven to be a reliable machine thus far, as shown by its $305 average yearly repair cost reported by RepairPal, though it will be more expensive to fix when things do go wrong. That’s due to parts being sold at a premium owing to its badge, while Cadillac service centers will charge more in labor than more mass-market brands.
The Verdict: When A Used XT5 Beats A New CR-V — And When It Doesn’t
2023 Cadillac XT5 cabin-1 top viewCadillac
The choice between opting for a used XT5 Premium Luxury or a brand-new mid-range example of the CR-V or RAV4 comes down to how much having the finer things in life matters to you. If you’re in the market for a car that will prove affordable and dependable for family life, go for one of the Japanese cars. They’ll hold their value much better than even a used XT5, are considerably more fuel-efficient, and are cheaper to maintain over the long term than the Cadillac.
The XT5 is a cut above, though, mainly thanks to its more refined, premium cabin and classier exterior styling. It’s also more entertaining to drive, thanks to its more conventional automatic transmission, especially if you find an example equipped with the optional Platinum package, which provides a sportier suspension setup.
If you’re willing to spend more to enjoy a touch of luxury, the XT5 is an excellent way of achieving that goal. It’s not hard to see why the CR-V and RAV4 dominate the crossover sales charts, though, as they exemplify getting the job done in the most straightforward and effective ways possible.
Sources: Cadillac, CarEdge , Honda, iSeeCars, RepairPal, Toyota
