The 2023 Cadillac XT5 has a premium feel inside.Courtesy of manufacturer
My husband and I live in mountainous British Columbia. He drives within the region for work intermittently, but mostly we only drive short distances for the daily commute. We also have two kids in booster seats and a dog. We love outdoor adventures. We previously had an Audi Q5 with the V6 engine and currently drive an older Mini Countryman.
Ideally, we need something with all-wheel drive for snowy conditions and a larger engine. Also, we would like a reasonable amount of cargo space for weekend excursions. We’ve debated another Q5 or an A4 wagon but we don’t have a local Audi dealership. Another vehicle we’ve considered is the Volkswagen Atlas, but it seems bigger than we need. – Aleisha, Prince George, B.C.
Mark Richardson: A quick Google search of Prince George shows the town has plenty of auto dealerships, but none for premium makers like Audi, other than Cadillac at the GM dealer. This makes the choices a little easier.
Petrina Gentile: Wow – that’s surprising. It seems like a lost opportunity for luxury auto makers and dealers. So, let’s start with Cadillac. Anything you’d suggest from them?
RIchardson: An SUV with a premium feel, but not quite so large as a Volkswagen Atlas? That would be the Cadillac XT5. Before we go there though, I wonder if Aleisha has considered the VW Atlas Cross Sport? It’s the two-row version of the three-row Atlas, and Prince George has a Volkswagen dealer.
Gentile: That’s worth mentioning. It is still spacious and Audi-like, too, but shorter than the Atlas. But I’m not a fan of the infotainment system – I don’t like some of the finicky sliding controls, for example, for raising or lowering the volume. I prefer traditional knobs or dials.
Richardson: There’s about 20-per-cent less space in the Cross Sport than the Atlas, owing mostly to the sportier rake of the rear roof. If she likes the Atlas, then the Cross Sport seems a logical consideration. It’s nicely appointed inside, too. I think the Cadillac is nicer, though.
Gentile: Cadillac is definitely nicer with a more premium feel inside. And when you compare the price, it is roughly the same. The Atlas Cross Sport starts at $52,249 and the XT5 at $51,533 – both those prices include freight and pre-delivery inspection.
The 2024 Atlas Cross Sport is the two-row smaller sibling to the three-row Volkswagen Atlas.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Richardson: Like the Volkswagens, the XT5 is the two-row version of the three-row XT6. Both Cadillacs are a little smaller than the equivalent VWs, though. The Cross Sport has almost as much cargo space as the XT6.
Gentile: Aleisha wants something for outdoor adventures – I think the Cross Sport would be better suited for that than a Cadillac.
Richardson: Let me throw out another way to look at this – an all-electric SUV. Aleisha says they mostly drive short distances, and the beauty of an electric vehicle in a cold, snowy climate is that when you plug it in overnight, the electric heater starts up at whatever time you set it. The EV can always be warm inside, with clear windows for the morning drive, even when parked outside.
Gentile: It could potentially work, but we don’t know their charging situation and that can be problematic. We also don’t know how far they travel for weekend excursions. I think a gas-powered option is better for now. Aleisha already has her hands full with two young kids and a dog. She doesn’t need the added stress of charging.
Richardson: There doesn’t have to be any stress in charging if the conditions are right. And she also doesn’t need the stress of scraping her windows every winter morning, so I’m just putting it out there. British Columbia has a better charging network than most provinces, for longer trips, and if most of Aleisha’s driving is near her home, a home charger will do the job for up to 500 kilometres or so. I’d recommend she think about the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which feels quite premium inside. She didn’t mention EVs though, so we can set them aside – for this year.
The Equinox EV looks quite sleek, almost more wagon than SUV, but it’s taller than it seems and almost 20 centimetres longer than the established gas-powered Equinox.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Gentile: I agree. Skip it. What about a Subaru?
Richardson: She’d probably like a Forester. It seems like half of B.C. likes Foresters. Subarus are practical, capable and good value, and they sell well for outdoor adventures in the mountains.
Gentile: That’s exactly what I’m thinking. The Forester is redone for 2025; it’s about the same size as the 2024 model but it’s quieter, has a larger centre infotainment screen and refreshed styling.
Richardson: If Aleisha was thinking about an Audi A4 Allroad, then the Subaru Forester is a good alternative. It doesn’t offer the Audi’s level of refinement and overall comfort, nor its sleek good looks, but it’s a lot less costly. The Subaru tops out at around $48,000 plus taxes, while the Audi starts at about $10,000 on top of that. I know which I’d choose.
Gentile: Me too. The Audi A4 Allroad isn’t worth the price premium. I’d take the Forester, too. Any other suggestions?
Richardson: We’re giving a pretty wide range here, from Cadillac to Subaru. I’d suggest Aleisha also takes a look at some of the mid-size SUVs on the market, like the Toyota Highlander and the Hyundai Santa Fe, both of which are solid buys. And she should definitely consider the Nissan Murano – it’s the right size and can be nicely appointed.
The new Murano has sharper lines and a sloping roofline.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Gentile: That’s a good idea. The Nissan Murano is all new for 2025, too. I haven’t driven it yet, but I covered the unveil in Tennessee in mid-October and it looked sleek and stylish.
Richardson: I’ve not driven the new 2025 either, but I can vouch for all the previous editions as being well built and reasonably powerful. The V6 engine makes 260 horsepower, which is respectable.
Gentile: For 2025, Nissan has dumped its V6 engine in favour of a two-litre turbocharged inline-four. It produces 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Richardson: Until I get a chance to drive it and assess it, I’m old school, and I’ll stick to the previous generations that I know to trust. I wasn’t a fan of their continuously variable transmissions, though. I’m sure the new engine is better on fuel consumption, but that’s not much of an issue for Aleisha. She says she wants a bigger engine and there’s no replacement for displacement.
Gentile: So, what’s your top pick for Aleisha?
Richardson: The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or the Cadillac XT5 – she should consider both for the capability and comforts she’s looking for. And definitely the Chevrolet Equinox EV if she’s interested in going electric. You?
Gentile: Skip the electric Equinox. Aleisha should get a Subaru Forester. It’s affordable, has all-wheel-drive and it’s the perfect ride for outdoor adventures in B.C. or daily commutes around town with the kids.
The Subaru Forester is affordable, has all-wheel-drive and it’s the perfect ride for outdoor adventures.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
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