2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign, Pictures, Engine

2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign, Pictures, Engine   –  It may seem trite, but there’s no denying that the typical Cadillac buyer is on the upper end of the age spectrum. Back in 2018, the company’s then-CEO, Johan de Nysschen, said the brand had broadened its appeal among millennials and was proud to report that half of its buyers were now under the age of 56 – still a high average for an automaker that has been trying to bill itself as a sporty, Americanized BMW. 2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign

Enter the 2025 Cadillac XLR-V. This subcompact crossover was designed with an active, city-dwelling millennial buyer in mind. It also has a more approachable base price than the average Cadillac model that’s more often marketed towards older shoppers. It is, however, up against an abundance of rivals from other premium automakers and features a pricey options list that can add up in a hurry.

2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

Standard active noise cancellation and good build quality make the Cadillac XLR-V a nice place to sit for extended periods of time. Some of the interior materials are a bit lacklustre, especially compared to rivals like BMW and Lexus, but by no means does the XLR-V come off as cheap or inexpensive inside. 2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign

The XLR-V’s ride quality, meanwhile, is well-tuned and definitely not as crashy and rough as the Cadillac XT5 Sport we sampled recently, though it still leaves some room for improvement with regard to overall refinement. It’s also worth pointing out that our tester came with the 18-inch alloy wheels that are standard on the Sport trim level, which have a bit more sidewall than the optional 20-inch alloys. While the larger wheels may look good, we’d suggest going for the smaller wheel option that offers more sidewall; Canadian roads are far from perfect, remember.

2025 Cadillac XLR-V Specs

Even if the safety features may use some improvement, the Cadillac XLR-V at least maintains connectivity. Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-speaker audio system, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot that requires a subscription are all included as standard features.

There is one area where the XLR-V’s features let us down, though. We recently tested a 2025 Cadillac XT5 and loved using the vehicle’s available wireless charging pad, which pairs well with those wireless phone connections, but this is an option that’s unfortunately not available in the smaller and less-expensive XLR-V. As a vehicle purportedly courting the younger, always-online demographic, surely a wireless charging pad would be a good fit.

Engine and Performance

The engine feels powerful enough in most daily driving scenarios, although it produces a loud and unrefined racket under heavy throttle. It also sounds a bit tractor-like when idling, removing some of the perceived quality of this $50,000 luxury vehicle as you walk up to it. The nine-speed transmission also has somewhat rough downshifts, a problem we’ve encountered in other Cadillac products with this transmission. The XLR-V’s powertrain seems to be made up of solid parts, but it needs a bit more tuning and refinement to be deemed truly great.  2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign

2025 Cadillac XLR-V Fuel Economy

Natural Resources Canada rates the 2025 Cadillac XLR-V’s fuel economy at 9.9 L/100 km city, 7.8 highway, and 8.9 combined. With premium fuel required, it’s comparable to other rival luxury crossovers like the BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, which have similar combined fuel economy ratings.

Crossover buyers looking for a vehicle that feels truly sporty and engaged should probably look elsewhere. The XLR-V has a squishy throttle, muted steering, and run-of-the-mill engine and exhaust notes, making spirited drives a fairly joyless experience. It’s plenty comfortable for the daily jaunt down to the shops, though, and we’ve certainly driven more yawn-inducing vehicles over the years. If your idea of driving excitement is giving it a little bit more gas than usual here and there, the XLR-V offers more than enough sportiness.  2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign

2025 Cadillac XLR-V Safety Features

This luxury crossover comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, although most other active safety features are optional, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beams. For context, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control are standard equipment on the cheapest Honda CR-V, so it’s not like we’re asking for too much here.  2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign

2025 Cadillac XLR-V Price and Release Date

Pricing for the 2025 Cadillac XLR-V starts at $38,398 for the entry-level Luxury trim model with front-wheel drive including the non-negotiable destination charge. This is cheaper than most direct rivals, including the BMW X1 and X2, which start at $39,900 and $43,275, respectively. However, all-wheel drive is optional on the XLR-V and adds a significant $3,600 to the vehicle’s price tag, whereas it’s standard on almost all of the XLR-V’s direct rivals.

Pricing also adds up quickly once options are factored into the equation. The range-topping Sport trim we tested starts at $48,438, but it also came equipped with the pricey $3,195 Sun and Sound package, which adds a power sunroof, 13-speaker stereo, and satellite navigation. Most Cadillac XLR-V buyers can expect to pay close to – or even more than – $50,000 for this vehicle, making this one expensive subcompact crossover. The XLR-V would represent better value if it came with more standard advanced safety equipment and all-wheel drive. 2025 Cadillac XLR-V Redesign