V6 Engine Not In The Cards For The Cadillac XT4

Launched in the second half of the 2018 calendar year, the Cadillac XT4 has quickly risen to be a formidable contender in its segment. With handsome styling, a comfortable interior, a refined and fuel-efficient turbo four-cylinder engine, and abundant levels of technology, the XT4 impresses those looking for a compact luxury crossover. But there has always been a faction of potential buyers hoping for more power in the form of a six-cylinder engine. Alas, that’s not in the cards.

Cadillac Society has learned from sources familiar with Cadillac product plans that a six cylinder engine will not grace the engine bay of the XT4.

Though there is technically enough room under the hood of the XT4 to cradle a six-banger, product planners see no reason to offer such a powerplant. A big part of that decision is that there simply isn’t enough demand to warrant offering a V6 in the XT4. The decision makes sense, given that every XT4 rival also uses a boosted four-cylinder engine, including the BMW X1/X2, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, Audi Q3, Infiniti QX30, Lexus NX, Acura RDX, Lincoln Corsair, and Volvo XC40.

It’s also worth noting that offering a V6 in the Cadillac XT4 would step on the toes of the larger and more expensive XT5, which – for the 2020 model year refresh – offers a 3.6 V6 engine (production code LGX) as an option on the Premium Luxury trim and as standard on the Sport trim. The atmospheric six is rated at 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque.

Things are also looking grim for those hoping to see the turbo-charged 2.7L I4 engine (production code L3B) make its way into the XT4, potentially into the XT4-V. In the new 2020 Cadillac CT4-V, the L3B makes a healthy 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.

As a result, XT4 buyers the world over will have to make do with a single engine – the familiar turbo-charged 2.0L I4 gasoline engine (production code LSY) rated at 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The European market is an exception, since Euro-market units of the XT4 are equipped exclusively with the all-new turbo-diesel 2.0L I4 engine (production code LSQ) rated at 170 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. All engines mate to a nine-speed automatic transmission with the Digital Precision Shift gear selector.

We’ll have more on the XT4 shortly, so be sure to subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac XT4 news and around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.

All photos Copyright Cadillac Society.