Compare the2025 BMW X1VS 2025 Cadillac XT4

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X1 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The XT4 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X1. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The X1’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X1 and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	X1	XT4
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	311	350
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31.9%	34%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	X1	XT4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	77	114
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	142 lbs.	185 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	169
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	51 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT4’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X1’s reliability 14 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Cadillac.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Cadillac.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 13 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (241 vs. 235) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X1 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 78 more horsepower (313 vs. 235) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW X1 is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

	X1 xDrive28i	X1 M35i xDrive	XT4
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	4.7 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.3 sec	11.7 sec	23 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	5.9 sec	8.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	13.3 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	106 MPH	87 MPH
Top Speed	149 MPH	155 MPH	132 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the XT4:

			MPG
X1
	AWD	xDrive28i 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
		M35i 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
XT4
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X1 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The X1 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XT4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X1’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XT4 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

	X1 xDrive28i	X1 M35i xDrive	XT4
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	15.2 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13 inches	12.4 inches

The X1 stops much shorter than the XT4:

	X1	XT4
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The X1’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT4’s standard 60 series tires. The X1’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X1’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.7% to 43.3%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the X1 more stable handling and braking.

The X1 M35i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X1 M35i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (25.9 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.1 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The X1 xDrive28i is 3.7 inches shorter than the XT4, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The X1 has 2.7 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more rear headroom than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (57.2 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

Towing

The X1’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT4’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the X1 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X1 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X1’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X1 second among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XT4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The BMW X1 outsold the Cadillac XT4 by 18% during 2024.

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