Which high-end crossover vehicle do YOU prefer, the Cadillac XT5 or Acura MDX? We’ll help you pick a favorite as long as you promise to vote in our latest poll.
The 2017 XT5 is a brand-new replacement for Caddy’s aged SRX crossover. It seats five people and rides on a unique chassis that was engineered from the ground up for this application. Accordingly, it’s super stiff and lightweight, clocking in at around 278 pounds less the SRX it replaces. Additionally, it’s a whopping 650 pounds lighter than a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
XT5s sold in the U.S. will be powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that puts out 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Cylinder deactivation and stop-start will improve fuel efficiency, as should a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Chinese customers get a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Like other recent Cadillacs, the XT5’s interior is made of high-end, cut-and-sewn materials for a top-shelf look and feel. As for technology, one of this vehicle’s signature features is its Rear Camera Mirror system, which increases the driver’s rearward visibility by around 300 percent.
Next up, we have the refreshed 2017 Acura MDX. This hot-selling crossover is the first recipient of the brand’s new Diamond Pentagon Grille, which first debuted on their Precision Concept at the Detroit auto show. It looks nice, though we’re not sure it’s an improvement over its predecessor, but whatever, you decide!
For the latest model year this new MDX gains the brand’s AcuraWatch suite of safety and assist technology as standard fare. This includes things like lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and more.
Aside from these enhancements, the biggest news with this 2017 model is the addition of a Sport Hybrid model. It features a 3.0-liter V6 engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A twin electric-motor assembly powers the rear wheels, giving this crossover all-wheel-drive capability.
All told, the Sport Hybrid’s drivetrain puts out 325 horsepower, 35 more than standard MDXs. They’re also expected to return seven more miles per gallon in city driving, which is huge. Estimated EPA fuel-economy scores measure 25 MPG city, 26 highway and 26 combined.
The 2017 Acura MDX is scheduled to go on sale this summer with the Sport Hybrid model following later in the year.
So there you go. Which of these crossovers do YOU like more? Which one would you rather own? You can learn more about them here and then vote in our poll!
