- The 2024 Cadillac XT4 gets a mid-cycle refresh with new looks, new interior furnishings and a massive 33-inch LED display screen.
- The lineup remains composed of Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels.
- Nothing new regarding the XT4’s powertrain and drivetrain.
DETROIT, Michigan – As the brand’s entry-level crossover, the 2024 Cadillac XT4 has an important role, serving as the first step into the portfolio for consumers seeking to upgrade from a mainstream manufacturer. It must also prove its worthiness in the subcompact luxury utility segment and try to steal market share away from its competitors.
So far since it was arrived on the scene for the 2019 model year, the XT4 hasn’t done too badly, and its sales numbers are actually quite good after four years on the market. After the quarter of the 2023 calendar year, it was outselling all its main rivals such as the Audi Q3, the BMW X1, the Jaguar E-PACE, the Lexus UX, the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Volvo XC40. According to Cadillac, the XT4 competes in a segment in which conquest customers represent more than 50 percent of sales, meaning buyers are new to the brand or have moved over from other brands. In addition, 60 percent of subcompact luxury crossover buyers are stepping up from mainstream brands. The XT4 is thus an important model to bring new customers to Cadillac.
However, in an ever-improving industry, it was time for a mid-cycle refresh, what the little crossover was supposed to receive last year, but those plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the following supply chain woes. The updated 2024 Cadillac XT4 is ready to impress with its new looks and new tech.
What styling changes did it get?
For 2024, the XT4 benefits from a revised front fascia, including new vertical LED strips that run down the corners of the vehicle, flanked by LED headlamp projectors mounted low and turn signals underlining the reshaped hood. The grille is larger and the lower bumper trim is new as well.
Meanwhile, the rear section is largely unchanged, but the bumper has been redesigned with new exhaust outlets and a centre, one-piece backup light. Among the eight paint color selection, three are new: Deep Sea Metallic, Emerald Lake Metallic and Midnight Sky Metallic. The entire range of alloy wheels is new as well, ranging from 18 to 20 inches depending on the trim level.
Is the trim level lineup the same as before?
It is, as Cadillac is pursuing its Y trim level strategy in the XT4. That means a base Luxury variant, followed by two trims hierarchically positioned alongside each other. The Premium Luxury boasts a more traditional appearance, with bright accent grille, Satin chrome accented door handles as well as brushed aluminum roof rails and door surround trim. The bolder Sport variant gets a grille with a high-gloss Black finish, body-color door handles as well gloss Black roof rails and window surround trim. The Luxury and Premium Luxury look pretty similar, while the Sport stands out with its monochrome appearance.
What’s new about the interior?
Here’s where things get particularly interesting. The 2024 Cadillac XT4 features a new 33-inch LED 9K curved display panel that seamlessly presents both the digital driver instrument cluster and the infotainment system touchscreen. It’s the exact same display found in the new Cadillac Lyriq electric crossover, with crisp, modern graphics, running on the Google built-in operating system. It incorporates voice commands, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot and over-the-air updates, while owners can also use wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if they prefer.
In addition to the curved display being fitted as standard on every trim level, there are also new active safety features as well, including Blind Zone Steering Assist, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, enhanced Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Side Bicyclist Alert, Speed Limit Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The Inteluxe simulated leather seats in the Luxury are available in either Jet Black or new Oxford Stone/Jet Black color schemes, while the genuine leather in the Premium Luxury can be chosen in Jet Black, new Oxford Stone/Jet Black or Sedona/Jet Black. The Sport trim’s leather seating is offered in new Jet Black with Santorini Blue accents, new Sky Cool Gray/Jet Black with Santorini Blue accents or Sedona/Jet Black color schemes.
What hasn’t changed is that the 2024 Cadillac XT4 includes standard heated front and rear outboard seats in Canada, along with a standard heated steering wheel. These items are all available in the U.S. market as part of the Cold Weather Package on all trim levels. Ventilated and massaging front seats are optional on Premium Luxury and Sport trims.
What’s new under the hood?
Nothing. The 2024 Cadillac XT4 keeps its turbocharged 2.0L inline-four that develops 235 horsepower as well as 258 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while AWD is optional on the Canadian-market Luxury, standard on Premium Luxury and Sport, and optional on all the U.S.-market trim levels.
No hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain, at least not in North America, as the Cadillac XT4 built and sold in China gets a mild hybrid system. Since Cadillac is moving to an all-electric portfolio by 2030 in North America, we’ll see some new fully electric crossovers appear within the next few years, among which will be an indirect replacement for the XT4. With a new name that ends with the letters ‘IQ’.
What didn’t change, but should’ve?
Well, the powertrain is the same as before, and although its output is adequate, its fuel economy is among the least-efficient of the subcompact luxury crossover segment. The difference is marginal with most of its rivals, but an improvement would’ve been welcome.
The 2024 Cadillac XT4 will hit dealerships later this summer, with an MSRP starting at $39,090 in the U.S. and at $43,999 in Canada, freight and delivery charges included. Those are increases of $1,600 and $3,701, respectively, compared to the outgoing 2023 model. All that new on-board technology comes at a cost, but the XT4 still remains one of the most affordable in its segment, and it’s well-equipped, too.
