Cadillac established itself in the luxury-crossover game when it introduced the first-generation SRX as a 2004 model. Since then, however, it hasn’t made any major plays other than refashioning the SRX from an edgy, three-row, rear-drive-based vehicle into a benign, front-wheel-drive, two-row model for its 2010-model-year redesign (and then renaming it XT5 when it was revamped for 2017). Notably missing from the brand’s lineup is any three-row SUV that’s not as gigantic as the Escalade, as well as a more compact offering.

Consider the latter vacancy filled by the fetching 2019 Cadillac XT4, revealed during the run-up to the 2018 New York auto show. With a 109.4-inch wheelbase and an overall length stretching 181.1 inches, the XT4 straddles the compact and subcompact classes, being significantly larger than the BMW X1 but not quite as big as the X3. Its closest competitors, dimensionally, are the Audi Q5 and the Lexus NX. Compared with its XT5 sibling, the XT4 has a 3.1-inch-shorter wheelbase and is 8.4 inches shorter overall.

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Borrowing many of its styling cues from the larger XT5, the XT4 conveys a bit more attitude with its vertical grille, rakish rear window, and taillamps that rise up the side of the C-pillar. Three trims of the XT4 will be available—Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The meanest-looking of the bunch is the Sport, with its black mesh grille, body-color door handles, and black window trim (other models wear more traditional shiny and satin chrome exterior accents). All XT4s ride on 18-inch wheels to start, while 20s are available on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims, each with their own design.

The XT4’s interior marks several advances. Cadillac’s CUE interface for its infotainment system adds a new dial-type controller for operations on its standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, as well as some good old-fashioned buttons. A near-field communication system is said to simplify the process of phone pairing, while wireless inductive charging pads boast faster charge times.

Seven interior “environments” are available. Luxury models come with light-gray and black leatherette seats with metallic trim, while Premium Luxury models feature all-black or two-tone leather seats in light gray or saddle brown, as well as genuine wood or aluminum accents and ambient lighting. Sport models have leatherette upholstery in three available colors with special accents, wood or carbon-fiber trim (the latter finished in red or black), ambient lighting, and a sport steering wheel and pedals. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a power liftgate are standard on the two upper trim levels. A sunroof, navigation, a Bose audio system, and a cold-weather package are extra-cost items on all versions, while the Premium Luxury and Sport models can be had with additional packages full of more active-safety, convenience, and technology features.

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Every XT4 is powered by the same turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter inline-four producing 237 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1500 rpm to 4000 rpm. Preliminary fuel-economy estimates (with front-wheel drive) are 25 mpg city and 30 highway. The new engine also boasts what Cadillac describes as a “tripower” system consisting of variable valve lift and cylinder deactivation. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, and an optional twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system borrowed from the XT5 is able to decouple the rear axle in order to improve fuel economy. The XT4 comes with electrohydraulically assisted brakes in the quest for mpg. The suspension consists of struts up front and a multilink setup at the rear, with the Sport model offering an Active Sport Suspension with adaptive dampers.

We will soon see how all the XT4’s new bits and pieces come together dynamically. But at least stylistically, Cadillac’s new baby looks good, even better than the XT5. Prices will start at $35,790 for the front-drive Luxury and $40,290 for the Premium Luxury and Sport models with front-wheel drive. Deliveries begin this fall, although dealers will take orders as soon as this month.

BRAD FICK, THE MANUFACTURER

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