2018 Cadillac XT3 – rumors & price
Cadillac’s smallest crossover currently on the market is the SRX which will be replaced shortly by the XT5. However, despite being their smallest model, it is not small by any means. In order to better fill the gaps in the market, they are going to release a new one with the 2018 Cadillac XT3. Unlike the XT5 which is actually based on a front wheel drive platform, the XT3 is expected to be based on a shorter version of their own Alpha platform. This means it will be the only rear-wheel drive based crossover on the market in its class and it will definitely be one of the better ones to drive.
All-new Design – Interior & Exterior
The exterior design of the upcoming 2018 Cadillac XT3, while currently a well guarded secret, is not exactly very hard to imagine, especially since all of their models are using the same design scheme. Our best bet would be that the XT3 will borrow extensively from the design of the larger XT5 which could mean that the two will share a similar front end.
However, we do expect the smaller of the two to be the sportier looking one and thanks to the platform it will be based on, we could receive a wider looking crossover with a lower stance and probably a sloped roof, all meant to offer a great alternative to the Mercedes GLA or the upcoming BMW X2.
Interior
Inside the cabin, the XT3 will offer less room than its bigger brother which is to be expected considering the sporty traits of the design. However, it will certainly offer more than enough room for up to five adults which is more than enough in its class. One drawback will be the trunk which has been rumored to be quite small, especially since it will be a rear wheel drive car and most of the trunk space will be taken by the rear differential housing and the rear suspension system.
Standard features will include leather upholstery, Cadillac‘s great CUE infotainment system as well as sporty seats and a similar instrument cluster to the ATS.
Under the Hood
Engine wise, the 2018 Cadillac XT3 is likely going to be offered with a single engine choice which will be available in a couple of different configurations. This engine will be GM’s already well known 2 liter turbocharged inline 4 petrol engine. This will offer around 230 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque in the base version of the car. This is also going to be the only available offering on the European market. Further up the range, the same engine will provide closer to 275 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque while a special edition model could put out 300 horsepower and more than 310 lb-ft of torque with ease.
No matter the case though, all of them will come as standard with a 6 speed manual gearbox while as an option, people will get the chance to get a 10 speed automatic as well. The latter has been built in cooperation with Ford specifically to be used in the future rear wheel drive applications. All wheel drive might not be offered on the base model of the car but all the others should get it as an option.
2018 Cadillac XT3 Price & Release date
The release date for this new model is current unknown but considering how fast things are moving for them, it is likely that the finished product will be showcased by the end of the year while the production model could see the light of day some time in the mid of 2017.
The base price will likely be around $30,000 or little less than that, mostly because most of its competitors are priced over this mental threshold.
The major competitors are Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA-Class.
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