In today's all-cars-look- alike world, the Cadillac’s 2019 XT4 takes exception. This upscale compact crossover features distinct features like sharp angles, a wide mesh-textured grill with a floating wreath and crest, prominent standard LED daytime running lights, plus unique headlights and large vertical taillights that will not be mistaken for another brand. The XT4 comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Sport trim gets a black mesh grille, body-color door handles, and black window trim, features that are chrome on other trims.

The XT4 is the first Cadillac to be powered by the brand’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which uses what Cadillac calls a ‘tripower’ system featuring variable valve lift and cylinder deactivation. The smooth and refined engine produces 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft torque, so this four-cylinder is quite capable of handling the two-ton XT4. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard. It achieves an EPA estimated 30 highway mpg.

An available twin-clutch, all-wheel-drive system like that used on the XT5 is able to decouple the rear axle to improve fuel economy. This part-time all-wheel-drive system requires a double tap on a button to activate. Electro-hydraulically assisted brakes also help fuel efficiency by reducing parasitic losses from one crankshaft-driven belt. EPA numbers are 24 city and 30 highway with front-wheel-drive and 22 city, 29 highway mpg with all-wheel drive.

Optional Sport trim gets an Active Sport Suspension with adaptive dampers that react quickly to road conditions without being too stiff. The other models retain struts up front and a multilink setup at the rear.  Eighteen inch wheels are standard, with 20 inch wheels optional on Premium Luxury and Sport trims, each with their own design.

Standard equipment includes blind-spot monitors, a rearview camera, and traction control systems. Optional are forward-collision warning with low- and high-speed automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights, active lane control, and reverse automatic braking. A surround-view camera system, automatic parking assist, and a camera-based rearview mirror are also available. Cadillac’s highly advanced SuperCruise driver-assistance features are not offered on the XT4.

The XT4’s dash is dominated by an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Cadillac’s CUE interface for its infotainment system adds a new dial-type controller. A near-field communication system simplifies the process of phone pairing, while wireless inductive charging pads boast faster charge times. The XT4 has 22.5 cubic feet of cargo room with both rows of seats in place. The back seat folds down for 48.9 cubic feet of storage.

The cost of entry for the  base Luxury XT4 is $34,795, with the Luxury AWD trim level beginning at $37,295 and the Sport at $39.295.

The CT6 Plug-In is Cadillac's answer to the growing market for premium plug-in hybrid vehicles that deliver greater efficiency and environmental performance, while also offering the high levels of luxury, comfort, and advanced on-board electronics expected by premium car buyers. All this brought recognition in Washington DC this year as the CT6 Plug-In was honored as Green Car Journal’s 2018 Connected Car of the Year™ for these attributes and its suite of sophisticated electronics

This is not Cadillac’s first go at a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Its initial effort was the ELR produced from 2013-2016, a beautifully-designed plug-in luxury coupe that did not find a ready market at the time and is no longer in the Cadillac line. This new $75,000 CT6 Plug-In, based the acclaimed Cadillac CT6 luxury sedan, is a significantly stronger effort that offers plenty to the luxury car buyer including sophisticated style, a refined and accommodating cabin, and very satisfying performance.

Power is provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 265 horsepower with 295 lb-ft torque. It works with twin 100 horsepower electric motors integrated into a newly developed electric variable transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels. This combination provides a total system output of 335 horsepower and 432 lb-ft torque in what Cadillac call a blended hybrid configuration.

An 18.4 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack located between the rear seat and trunk provides the CT6 Plug-In a battery electric range of 31 miles at speeds up to 78 mph. This pack can be charged overnight from a standard 120-volt outlet or in about 4.5 hours with a 240-volt charger. Only an incidental amount of charging come from the gasoline engine/generator. Regenerative braking also delivers electricity to the batteries.

Along with electric-only mode, a driver has a choice of three other operating modes – Normal, Sport, and Hold. In Normal mode, the system switches between electric-only, hybrid, and gasoline engine-only operation to optimize performance and fuel economy. In Sport mode, this plug-in hybrid delivers more aggressive throttle response for quicker acceleration, plus sportier steering. Hold mode conserves battery capacity for urban driving at a later time and uses the gasoline engine for highway driving or higher speed conditions.

The CT6 Plug-In’s 31 mile all electric-range is likely to fit the daily driving needs of many drivers, which means zero-emission motoring every day. Beyond that, this plug-in hybrid’s combined driving range of about 440 miles with a full charge and 15.6-gallon tank fits all possible driving needs, meaning no range anxiety and no compromises. EPA estimates the car’s fuel efficiency while driving on battery power at an equivalent 62 mpg (MPGe), with overall efficiency on hybrid power rated at 23 city and 29 highway mpg, which is quite respectable for a luxury vehicle weighing in at over two tons.

Regen on Demand allows the use of steering wheel-mounted paddles to select a desired level of brake regeneration and regen-induced brake drag, from light to very aggressive. Using more aggressive regen delivers significant levels of drag and stopping power when lifting off the accelerator, allowing conventional brakes to be reserved for those instances when maximum braking is desired or required. Exclusively using the throttle and paddles delivers in more refined and fun driving experience.

The CT6 Plug-In's connectivity and on-board electronics capabilities are impressive. Among these systems is the automaker’s CUE Information and Media Control System with Navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, OnStar 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless cellphone charging, and Bluetooth with voice recognition. A rear camera mirror camera and automatic parking enhance convenience. Driver awareness systems includes Forward Collision Alert that monitors traffic ahead and alerts if a collision is imminent. A Following Distance indicator in the Driver Information Center displays following time relative to the vehicle ahead. Surround Vision provides a birds-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings.

Of course, the CT6 Plug-In is well-equipped with driver assist systems. Lane Keep Assist gently steers the car if it’s determined a driver is unintentionally leaving a lane when directional signals are not used. Side Blind Zone Alert displays a warning in the outside rearview mirrors when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, or if a car is rapidly approaching that spot. Also included is Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically accelerates and brakes to maintain a driver-selected following distance to the vehicle ahead. Forward and Reverse Automatic Braking senses front or rear collisions and applies brakes as needed. Night vision and a reconfigurable head-up display are also welcome additions.

Cadillac’s CT6 Plug-In is an exceptionally well-crafted luxury vehicle that delivers all the features expected in its class, with the addition of leading-edge electronics that enhance convenience and safety. It delivers a premium driving experience with responsive handling and welcome performance, all the while providing increased efficiency and the option of zero-emission driving that’s increasingly desired in today’s new-generation vehicles. It’s a job very well done.

The benefits of cruise control systems are well known: automating the often tedious job of maintaining steady driving speeds while delivering the side benefit of better fuel efficiency.  However, sustaining optimum speeds is not always easy during times of heavy traffic when cars around you may be traveling at varying speeds, and especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Aiming to remedy this is Cadillac with its ‘Super Cruise’ semi-autonomous technology that’s capable of fully automatic steering, braking, and lane-centering in highway driving. The automaker is road testing this technology now.

Key to delivering this semi-autonomous capability is the integration of lane-centering technology that uses forward-looking cameras to detect lane markings, along with GPS map data to detect curves and other road characteristics. Already, many of the building block technologies for Super Cruise are available as part of the available Driver Assist Package on Cadillac’s 2013 XTS and ATS models.

The system uses sensor fusion to provide 360 degrees of crash risk detection and enhanced driver assist features like rear automatic braking, intelligent brake assist, range adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and more. Cadillac says the system could be ready for production vehicles by mid-decade.