[kool1]

GM nailed it on the looks though. As we've seen with Camaro vs. Mustang, looks are extremely important. Of this trio, to me, the XT4 is the clear winner in the looks department. I'd even say it is the top or one of the top visually in the segment.

I agree - XT4 is sharp. Just saw my first one in the wild this morning!

 

[91fairladyZ]

I agree - XT4 is sharp. Just saw my first one in the wild this morning!

That black sport is amazing. Seen a few now here in RIC.

 

[SKH]

That black sport is amazing. Seen a few now here in RIC.

I saw one a few days ago. It was at a light next to me, but was at night time. The size and stance look great and it was on the 20"? twin 5 spoke wheel and my guess is that it was a $50K Plus version. The lighting signature front and rear really stands out at night time, but it's a pity they don't have a 300HP (or more) V-Sport version. it'll probably do great in its segment, and hopefully it doesn't poach/cannibalize too many sales from the XT5.

 

[dratnol]

I almost feel bad for the competition Cadillac is going to destroy them all.

Is that why they are killing the CT6, XTS, and merging the ATS and CTS into one car? Is that destroying them all?

 

[dratnol]

BTW gm should produce a 2.7 liter turbo four 310 hp xt4 v sport...

Now that might be interesting enough to consider

I agree on a larger/more powerful engine option but I am not sure the 2.7 turbo four would be the best choice.

The 2007 Cobalt SS had 260 hp and 260 ft/lbs from a turbo 2.0. I would think that surpassing 300 hp would not be too big of a deal with the advancements made in the past ten years.

 

[eb110americana]

As for seating multiple passengers, these tweeners are challenged for space, but we concluded that the QX50 would be the one to pick—mostly due to its reclining second-row seat backs. The RDX also has a spacious second row with a flat floor that frees legroom for middle-seat occupants. Both Erick Ayapana and Chris Walton of our test team, who are hardly giants, found the XT4 cramped. Although it has a longer wheelbase than the RDX, the Caddy's poor packaging and high beltline proved too confining. As for my 6-foot frame, there was precious little headroom and barely enough legroom.

	2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD	2019 Cadillac XT4 2.0T AWD	2019 Infiniti QX50
HEADROOM, F/R	40.0/38.0 in	39.4/38.3 in	40.0/38.4 in
LEGROOM, F/R	42.0/38.0 in	40.4/39.5 in	39.6/38.7 in
COMBINED LEGROOM, F+R=	80.0 in	79.9 in	78.3 in

The XT4 has the most rear leg room by almost an inch, and a full 1.5" more than the Acura. If you measure by combined legroom (a number I like to use, as it accounts for sliding front seats, which cause rear legroom to change) the XT4 is only 0.1" behind the RDX, and a full 1.6" more legroom than the "spacious QX50." In rear headroom, the Infiniti does lead, but only by 0.1" over the Cadillac. The Acura is 0.3" shorter still. Given those metrics, the Cadillac has the largest rear seat in the group. Yes, being almost half a foot shorter than the RDX, it does have less interior volume and less shoulder room, but how they decided that it was the most cramped with multiple passengers, I do not know. I sat in one at the auto show on Sunday, and it had ample rear seat room.

 

[SKH]

Is that why they are killing the CT6, XTS, and merging the ATS and CTS into one car? Is that destroying them all?

They’re not merging ATS and CTS in to one car. Spy shots make it quite clear there will be two distinct cars.

 

[dannyg]

I agree on a larger/more powerful engine option but I am not sure the 2.7 turbo four would be the best choice.

The 2007 Cobalt SS had 260 hp and 260 ft/lbs from a turbo 2.0. I would think that surpassing 300 hp would not be too big of a deal with the advancements made in the past ten years.

The Jag Ingenium 2.0T gets around 296hp/295torque with turbos and supercharger, that’s probably about the max you can get from 2.0L with current tech. You can dial up more, but warranty repairs over 70K miles might be excessive!

That said, maybe they’re going to stroke the 2.0L to around 2.1-2.2L like they did with the 1.5T. As I understand it the 1.5T is basically a stroked 1.4T (with other mods). Or maybe offer a performance 2.0TD diesel which would be able to easily top 300ft-lb torque? Or how about a mild hybrid version of the 2.0T with electricity providing extra performance? (That would make an excellent Camaro base engine IMO.) Anyway, I just hope they’re thinking about this stuff over at GM...

EDIT: See below where I'm immediately corrected, I confused Jag and Volvo my bad!

 

[sydtron]

The Jag Ingenium 2.0T gets around 296hp/295torque with turbos and supercharger, that’s probably about the max you can get from 2.0L with current tech. You can dial up more, but warranty repairs over 70K miles might be excessive!

The Ingenium is just turbo-charged, it's the Volvo 2.0L that is turbo and supercharged - regularly around 300-310 HP, but Polestar tuned it up a couple years ago to 362 HP limited run. Mercedes-AMG has a turbo-only 2.0T at 375 HP though and I wouldn't be surprised is VW's next top EA888 is 320-350 HP. 300 HP would get them up to par on paper, but they'd have to overachieve if they want to go toe-to-toe with the Germans. Maybe a electric supercharger/mild hybrid like the new Mercedes-AMG straight 6 would be special enough.

 

[91fairladyZ]

Civic Type R has a 2.0L Turbo with 302/296. No reason GM can't turn up the boost.

 

[dannyg]

The Ingenium is just turbo-charged, it's the Volvo 2.0L that is turbo and supercharged - regularly around 300-310 HP, but Polestar tuned it up a couple years ago to 362 HP limited run. Mercedes-AMG has a turbo-only 2.0T at 375 HP though and I wouldn't be surprised is VW's next top EA888 is 320-350 HP. 300 HP would get them up to par on paper, but they'd have to overachieve if they want to go toe-to-toe with the Germans. Maybe a electric supercharger/mild hybrid like the new Mercedes-AMG straight 6 would be special enough.

I stand corrected, thanks. I'd love to get back to straight sixes...even the old Chrysler Slant-6 was a terrific engine. I still wonder if they're planning on a bit of a displacement boost by stroking the engine a bit...

 

[Envoy4Life]

Acura isn't on the same level as Cadillac or Infiniti. Acura competes with Buick or Lincoln so in reality Cadillac won this competition. Also there is nothing wrong with CUE and there never has been anything wrong with it.

Third Place: Infiniti QX50
An alluring design with a comfortable cabin and good-quality materials is held back by a underdeveloped powertrain and outdated infotainment interface.

Second Place: Cadillac XT4
Decent handling that comes with the best infotainment of the group, but its poor use of interior space makes its loud cabin feel cramped.

First Place: Acura RDX
With a balance of luxury, handling, safety, technology, and smart packaging, Acura takes home the trophy.

I test drove an XT4 last week. Found it to be plenty peppy for normal use. Not sure if others are expecting sub-5 sec 0-60 times or what, but I think it does just fine. Turning circle is adequate, though not extraordinary. Maybe I'm too use to my Volt, but with the radio off I found the car to have a bit too much buzzing from the 2.0T engine. Would like to hear a lot less of it. Shifter is again weird. Reminds me of the XT5's. Why can't we just have a regular PRNDL shifter?!!

After driving an XT4 for a week, it doesn't feel underpowered. I'd gladly trade the 2.0T in my '13 ATS for the XT4 2.0T.

Nor did I feel the interior was loud or cramped, felt spacious to me.

Good for GM for finally wising up and "not able to find" a $50k example, only able to find a more expensive one. Not that the XT4 won, but having the extra bells and whistles help and certainly shades the testers opinion even though they claim to ignore them.

None of these vehicles are performance vehicles, they are cross overs.... people will use them around town and around town they all have hefty torque curves. They will all feel powerful enough around town for that reason.

I drove an XT4 yesterday. Good God it's a slug.

I'm not joking when I say my 12 year old Envoy can probably beat that thing in a straight line.

237 HP ain't cutting it in this thing guys, sorry. Needs more power.

THE real choice should be the alfa stelvio ti sport.....

This thing is a blast to own...my wife is a celebrity everywhere she goes...tons of complements....and my lease deal was 1000 DAS and 480 a month...36/10k...

The caddy was too milk toast, the lexus rx350 is everywhere...the acura is ugly...the infiniti qx50 with its cvt drove horribly....the volvo was nice but the it wasnt as passionate to own...gmc lost its cache for the wifey ...and buicks stodgy image turned her off...bmw ..mercedes or audi...oh please everybody has one of these...they are a dime a dozen...

The winner should have been in my opinion the alfa.....oooh this thing is a sports car cuv and a hoot to own...

You are like a celbrity driving this thing...and it handles and accelerates like a champ...

With the 20s, the sports seats, tje ti sport package in brigt Red...

Tons of room insode too..

Id post a photo but my photos file is too large?

Trust me guys the cars in this automotive press pale in comparision especially if you are a auto enthusiast..

Good to see you, JB.

Try uploading the picture on imgur and posting it on here. That way you avoid the stupid size constraint thing.

Is that why they are killing the CT6, XTS, and merging the ATS and CTS into one car? Is that destroying them all?

Cadillac felt so bad for the competition they're killing off their own cars LMAO.

 

[jesda1]

As a brand Acura ranks at the bottom. It's not aspirational outside of people moving up from a Honda.

But brand issues aside, their CUVs have been solid hits since the MDX.

 

[RedSkyBlackDream]

Being from Chicago, I know SO many Mexican immigrants and families. Never have I met one named Zach or had the last name Gale. Lol That tickled me. Maybe I am missing something...

Anyhow, carry on!