Big vehicle-maker Cadillac changes gears with XT4

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- That can't be a Cadillac ... Does Cadillac make a vehicle that small? ... I didn't realize that was a Cadillac until I saw the badge on the vehicle.

Those were just some of the unprompted comments I received during my week with the tested 2021 Cadillac XT4 AWD Sport.  It just goes to show you that long-standing reputations die hard.

Cadillac's burden -- or maybe it's a blessing -- is that it has long been a maker of large luxury vehicles costing a fair amount of cash. While that still remains true to some degree, Cadillac does have an entry in the luxury compact crossover SUV market, and this tester is it.

Potential purchasers need to do their homework ... and significant test driving.  Why?  Because crossover SUVs are not only as numerous as Hershey's candy cars, the luxury compact crossover segment is brutally competitive, with strong entries from Volvo, Acura, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

And if you pull the trigger on purchasing one of these luxo rides, you're looking at anywhere from $40,000 to more than $80,000.

The tested XT4, dressed up with plenty of state-of-the-art options, came in at $52,785. With that kind of coin on the line, careful consideration is recommended.

Bottom line: The XT4 does everything well, as it should for this segment and that price.

Exterior sculpting is precise and sporty. The interior of my ride was relatively roomy for a compact, and a full suite of features were within easy reach.  The all-around view from the driver's seat was excellent, and bolstered by rearview cameras and an overhead view.

The power rear liftgate opens wide and takes in a good amount of cargo.

While other reviewers have expressed a desire for more power, I found the 2-liter turbo-4 engine with 237 horsepower to be competent for this compact offering.

Another plus: Strong safety ratings, including a max five-star crash test rating from the federal government.

Fuel mileage is pretty good at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for this all-wheel driver.

The Cadillac XT4 is a quiet, comfortable freeway cruiser, and it makes cuts and corners with effortless ease.

All in all, it competes straight-up with the heavyweight competition.

In my mind -- and I could be delusional in this respect -- the appeal of the XT4 might simply boil down to this boast: My crossover SUV is a built-in-America Cadillac.

Not everyone can say that.  But is that enough to lighten your assets by 50K?

Well, in some quarters, I would guess that the answer is, Yes.