This is the 2019 Cadillac XT4. Unveiled this evening at a special media event at the Cadillac House in Manhattan, the XT4 represents Cadillac’s first new product in two years while introducing the brand into the industry’s fastest-growing luxury segment. According to Cadillac, the XT4 “delivers expressive design, confident performance, spacious accommodations and new technologies.”
“The first-ever 2019 Cadillac XT4 expands our successful SUV lineup to a segment where Cadillac has never been before,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen. “And it sets off a dramatic expansion and elevation of the product range, that will see a new Cadillac virtually once every six months through 2021.”
Notably, the XT4 is the first vehicle developed fully under the leadership of de Nysschen.
The XT4’s exterior design is dominated by simple and sculpted lines that accentuate the crossover’s powerful proportions and aggressive presence while drawing the eye.
The model was designed by a team of young designers representing the heart of the XT4’s target customer demographic. They penned an expressive SUV that injects a higher degree of sculpture into Cadillac’s lineup. In fact, the production vehicle is very close to the team’s original visions for the exterior and interior.
“The XT4 has a great presence that is confident and poised,” said Therese Pinazzo, exterior design manager. “It exudes Cadillac’s DNA, but with a new boldness that speaks to the youthfulness of its team and its customers.”
The XT4 also introduces Cadillac’s new “Y” trim strategy, which consist of the base “Luxury” trim level (the “base” of the “Y”) and two higher trim levels (the two “forks” in the “Y”) – Premium Luxury and Sport. Both models offer distinctive styling cues and trim finishes to create unique personas and greater choice for customers.
XT4 Sport models feature a gloss black mesh grille inspired by Cadillac’s high-performance V-Series models, gloss black window moldings and specific Sport alloy wheel choices. Luxury and Premium Luxury models feature grilles with bright metallic accents, satin aluminum window moldings and satin chrome-accented door handles.
All models feature advanced LED lighting technology in the front and rear, with front LED low and high beams as well as an LED-illuminated light blade for the daytime running lamps. Cadillac’s vertical L-shaped lighting signature is stretched horizontally, emphasizing the XT4’s width and confident stance. The horizontal lighting element was first introduced by the Cadillac Escala concept car, and is also present on the 2019 Cadillac CT6 refresh.
Standard LED taillights are housed in traditional red lenses on Luxury and Premium Luxury, while the Sport model receives tinted neutral-density (clear) lenses that complement the generally darker exterior color choices.
At launch, the 2019 Cadillac XT4 will be offered in eight exterior colors:
The Cadillac XT4 interior represents the latest iteration of the Cadillac design aesthetic, thoughtfully and artistically integrating technology and appealing style. The cabin is exceptionally refined, with expected segment-leading rear-seat spaciousness.
Echoing the exterior design themes, the XT4’s cabin conveys boldness and strength with youthful athleticism. Sweeping arcs and tapered lines enhance the feeling of spaciousness and give it a taut, tightly wrapped appearance. The crossover’s various interior elements come together in a sophisticated and modern design.
“With the XT4’s interior, we distilled Cadillac to its essence,” said Phillip Kucera, Interior Design manager. “We’ve been able to be simpler and bolder than we have ever been before, giving the SUV attitude and a sporty connotation.”
The all-new XT4 offers exceptional space for a compact luxury SUV, particularly for rear-seat passengers. It is expected to lead the segment in rear-seat roominess, with 39.5 inches (1,004 mm) of legroom. The XT4 also offers 48.9 cubic feet (1,385 liters) of maximum cargo volume with the rear seat folded.
“The XT4 was envisioned holistically to deliver a dynamic sporty exterior without compromising comfort and functionality for passengers,” said Cadillac Exterior Design Director Jim Fleming, who helped create the vehicle’s architecture. It’s a great balance that delivers style and comfort on long drives such as a weekend getaway to a favorite ski slope, while still offering excellent cargo room for that ski trip’s gear.”
The sport-inspired seats with prominent seat-bottom and seatback bolsters balances comfort with the kind of support typically found in sports sedans. A massage feature for the front seats is available.
The thick, three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel is all new. It was developed to enhance the sporty feel of the vehicle while maintaining driver comfort on long drives. Available white ambient lighting casts a sophisticated glow and highlights important features.
At launch, the 2019 XT4 will be offered in seven interior environments, based on Luxury, Premium Luxury or Sport trims, as follows:
The 2019 Cadillac XT4 features the latest Cadillac infotainment system (CUE) in conjunction with Cadillac’s first rotary controller for CUE as well as other vehicle features. Other vehicle controls are also more streamlined for easier, more intuitive use.
The Cadillac user experience infotainment system, now in its third generation, offers an intuitive, smartphone-like interface, faster response and improved voice recognition that can be updated over time to meet a customer’s evolving connectivity needs. Using a screen that measures 8 inches diagonally with an HD resolution of 768p, the system leverage the cloud and embedded 4G LTE connection to enable personalization, available connected navigation and news, marketplace and entertainment applications via the app store.
The new rotary controller controller offers users alternative ways to interact with the system, including:
The 2019 Cadillac XT4 offers a next-generation, 15-watt wireless smartphone charging system that delivers faster charging times as well as expanded device compatibility. Those preferring to use a cable will be happy to discover four standard USB ports and three 12-volt accessory power outlets. Models equipped with the available navigation radio also receive an SD memory card reader in the center console.
As Cadillac Society first noticed from spy shots, the 2019 XT4 features Near-Field Communication (NFC). The feature, a first for Cadillac vehicles, greatly improves the process of pairing a phone (if compatible) with the Cadillac user experience infotainment system.
The crossover also offers a full suite of active safety features, including Surround Vision and the second-generation Rear Camera Mirror. An in-cabin ionizer, which eliminates odors and provides higher air quality, is also offered.
The Cadillac XT4 introduces an all-new Cadillac 2.0L Turbo engine assigned production code LSY. The advanced, power-dense inline-four-cylinder makes 118.5 horsepower per liter for an SAE-certified 237 horsepower (177 kW) and 258 pound-feet of torque (350 Nm). A nearly flat torque curve gives the XT4 a substantial amount of responsiveness throughout the engine’s RPM range.
The new Cadillac 2.0L motor powers all models and features new efficiency-enhancing technologies, including an industry-first tripower system that is designed to optimize performance and efficiency by having three distinct operating modes, including high and low valve lift as well as Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation).
The engine also features a twin-scroll turbocharger to enhance torque production at lower speeds, as well as direct injection, active thermal management and stop/start technologies.
The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It helps the XT4 achieve a Cadillac-estimated 30 mpg in highway driving. The vehicle also features the next generation of electronic precision shift (EPS) digital shifter, which delivers a more intuitive shifting sequence.
The 2019 Cadillac XT4 rides on the corporate GM E2 platform shared with the Chevrolet Malibu (2016 and newer) and Buick Regal (2018 and newer).
The Cadillac XT4’s confident and athletic appearance is complemented by great agility. The automaker says that the XT4 is “characteristically Cadillac in refinement and responsiveness, but with a youthful edginess derived from the brand’s critically acclaimed sports sedans.”
Putting power to the pavement is a strut-type front suspension and five-link independent rear suspension that are tuned to balance refinement with responsiveness. The standard Driver Select Mode allows that tuning to be adjusted on demand for different driving styles and road conditions.
The XT4 Sport offers an Active Sport Suspension with Continuous Damping Control, which takes driving dynamics and control to a higher threshold by using electronic sensors to monitor the road in real time and making damping adjustments every 2 milliseconds. The system can be described as a “baby version” of Cadillac’s highly-acclaimed Magnetic Ride Control.
A twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system is available. It offers the convenience of decoupling entirely from the rear wheels when the driver chooses, eliminating drivetrain friction and improving efficiency.
In addition, the XT4 is the first Cadillac to introduce electro-hydraulic braking assist, which supplants the traditional vacuum-assisted power braking system with an electro-hydraulic system that enhances fuel economy and takes up less space under the hood.
Customers can choose from wheels either 18 or 20 inches in size.
Along with the 2019 CT6, the XT4 debuts Cadillac’s new global “Y” trim strategy. Distinctive Premium Luxury and Sport models build from the well-equipped Luxury (base) trim, with specific content and styling cues tailing the Premium Luxury and Sport trims to different customer tastes and preferences.
The XT4 will be priced starting at $35,790 including destination charge, but excluding tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
It goes on sale in fall 2018. Customers will be able to preorder their XT4s from participating U.S. Cadillac dealers nationwide starting at the end of March 2018.
[nggallery id=2]We're not aware of any plans to bring the updated XT6 to North America.
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