Compare the2025 Cadillac XT5VS 2025 Toyota 4Runner

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 4Runner doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Cadillac XT5 offers an optional Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Toyota 4Runner doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the XT5 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the XT5 and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The XT5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The 4Runner’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the 4Runner. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 4Runner ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The XT5’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 4Runner’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 first among midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The 4Runner isn’t in the top three in its category.

The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (310 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the XT5 gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the XT5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The XT5 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

For better stopping power the XT5’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

The XT5 stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

The XT5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5.

The XT5 AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XT5’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the 4Runner’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The XT5 w/20” wheels’ turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the 4Runner’s (39 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Cadillac XT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 1150 pounds less than the Toyota 4Runner.

The XT5 is 5.3 inches shorter than the 4Runner, making the XT5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the XT5’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT5 has .9 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom and 4.2 inches more rear legroom than the 4Runner.

The XT5 has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (30 vs. 12.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the XT5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The XT5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XT5’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the 4Runner doesn’t offer a sensor on the cargo door or the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The XT5 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Cadillac XT5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance.