Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 Cadillac XT5

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4Runner has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The XT5 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 4Runner TRD Off-Road/Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 4Runner has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4Runner has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake on the Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the XT5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The 4Runner’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 XT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the XT5 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 four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota 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 XT5.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 16th.

The 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (278 vs. 235) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 271) than the XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 16 more horsepower (326 vs. 310) and 194 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 271) than the XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

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

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT5 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the XT5 (265/70R17 vs. 235/65R18).

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XT5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XT5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4Runner is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XT5.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT5 (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 2.3 inches higher than on the XT5 (10.1 vs. 7.8 inches).

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XT5 can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT5.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT5.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XT5’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT5’s (6000 vs. 1000 pounds).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT5. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner’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 XT5’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Cadillac XT5 by over four to one during 2023.