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.
An all-new Yukon bows for 2021 and it rides on a new platform shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, but wearing distinct styling. As with the Chevys, the 2021 GMC Yukon will come with an independent rear suspension, a first for the large GM SUVs.While both the rough-and-tumble AT4 and its butch looks and off-road equipment and the luxurious Denali and its hand-stitched leather interior seem the most compelling, the one to go for it actually the well-equipped and more affordable SLT. This mid-range model comes packed with features that most buyers are looking for, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, 20-inch wheels, a power rear liftgate, and a suite of driver-assistance features.
Coming to an upper-middle-class neighborhood near you: The 2021 GMC Yukon is richer and bigger, with details and a price tag to match.
Pros Bolder looks Upscale Denali trim Tougher AT4 trim Available turbodiesel And it’s bigger…
Cons …but does it really need to be? Lots of options Denali goes heavy on chrome look How much will it tow?
The GMC Yukon has been fully redesigned for 2021.
Pros New independent rear suspension benefits ride and cargo capacity Longer wheelbase increases passenger comfort Redesigned interior is substantial improvement over the outgoing model Newly available diesel-powered engine
Cons Lacks maneuverability in parking lots and city streets Not much different than the less expensive Chevrolet Tahoe
