Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2025 Cadillac XT4

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

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The XT4 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XT4 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X3 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Cadillac XT4 has not been tested.

The X3 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 X3. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The BMW X3’s optionalSurround View is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Cadillac XT4 only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

The X3’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 X3 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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 X3 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	X3	XT4
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	119	350
Neck Compression	71 lbs.	77 lbs.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

	X3	XT4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	114
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	148 lbs.	185 lbs.
Hip Force	214 lbs.	328 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	108	169
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	51 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	204
Hip Force	472 lbs.	522 lbs.

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

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XT4’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 X3’s reliability 49 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD 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 X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (255 vs. 235) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 158 more horsepower (393 vs. 235) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

	X3	XT4
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.3 sec	23 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.8 sec	8.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.6 sec	4.2 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.4 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	87 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the XT4:

			MPG
X3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/30 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 X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X3 has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the XT4 AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 16.3 gallons).

The X3 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 X3 M50’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 X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	XT4
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	12.4 inches

The X3 stops much shorter than the XT4:

	X3	XT4
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the XT4 (245/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT4 (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT4’s standard 60 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT4. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XT4.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the XT4 (112.8 inches vs. 109.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XT4.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.5% to 49.5%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.3 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the XT4 (8.5 vs. 6.7 inches).

Passenger Space

The X3 has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 5.4 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 8.3 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT4’s (4001 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT4 is only 3500 pounds. The X3 offers up to a 4850 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT4. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The X3’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the X3 the driver can close all of them 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 or with the driver’s door power window switch. 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 X3 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 XT4’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X3’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XT4.

The X3’s 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. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The XT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The BMW X3 outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over three to one during 2024.

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