4-Cylinder Engine to Power Cadillac XT5

Reports say that the striking Cadillac XT5 crossover may be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the USA.

Initially, GM’s luxury arm mulls offering the XT5 only with a 3.6-liter V-6, but the brand’s boss revealed that the 4-cylinder is under consideration for the American market. It is now offered in China, where vehicle taxes are based on engine displacement.

The XT5, which is slated to arrive in U.S. dealerships next month in both FWD and AWD versions, is powered by the 310-horsepower V-6. A huge advantage to the 4-cylinder is that it could enhance the XT5’s fuel economy, which is rated at 22 mpg combined for the FWD model. This is made possible in part by the start-stop system.

This is not the first time Cadillac will be offering an enhanced crossover in the U.S. In fact, the carmaker briefly sold a 2.8-liter V-6 with a turbocharger in the SRX, but the motor was marketed more as a premium, performance-oriented powertrain.

In the Cadillac ATS, the 4-cylinder cranks out 272 hp, but the Chinese-specification XT5 is expected to make 256 hp.