The 2019 XT4 is the vehicle Cadillac needs, but is it too late?
Pros Will stand out from the crowd 30 mpg highway Excellent rear leg room Reasonable starting price
Cons Active safety system availability limited Where’s Super Cruise? Small cargo hold CUE is still CUE
The 2019 Cadillac XT4 makes for an affordable entry point into the world of compact luxury SUVs, offering a fuel-efficient engine and plenty of rear legroom. Also, you won't mistake its subdued design for anything but a Cadillac.
Pros Affordable starting price Standard support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Plenty of rear legroom
Cons Luxury features you'd expect to be standard are optional
The XT4's edgy styling had us hoping that Cadillac's subcompact crossover—like its ATS, CTS, and CT6 sedans—had been engineered to impress driving enthusiasts. But during the day we spent hustling the XT4 along the picturesque rural roads circumscribing greater Seattle, it became clear that Cadillac has instead aimed for more traditional entry-luxury crossover stuff: quietness, sumptuousness, and user-focused technology.
Pros Smart styling, quiet engine, decent interior
Cons Unhurried shifting quality, uncommunicative chassis.
BMW has given its smallest crossover a visual freshening for 2020, with larger front grilles, new front and rear bumpers, updated LED lighting elements, and fresh wheel designs. Last year's standard 6.5-inch infotainment display has been scrapped in favor of the previously optional 8.8-inch unit with navigation. BMW revised the eight-speed automatic transmission for 2020, but we haven't driven it yet so we can't confirm BMW's claim that it shifts faster and more smoothly than before.
Pros Eager powertrain, fun-to-drive nature, big cargo capacity.
Cons Bar-stool shaped standard seats, slow-reacting infotainment interface, anonymous exterior design.
The 2020 BMW X1 comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.Refreshed exterior with a larger grille that mimics those on other BMWs.8.8-inch touchscreen now standard.Some package content has been shuffled.
Pros Strong and responsive turbo engine Sharp handling makes it fun to drive Plenty of rear passenger and cargo room High-quality materials and fit and finish
Cons Ride quality gets a little jarring on rough roads Not particularly quiet on the highway
