Is the Audi Q7 more reliable than the Cadillac XT5?

Based on our data, the Cadillac XT5 is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Audi Q7 or the Cadillac XT5?

The Audi Q7 has more recalls (32) compared to the Cadillac XT5 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q7 or the Cadillac XT5?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Cadillac XT5 has a lower complaint rate at 4.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 16.3 for the Audi Q7. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q7 or the Cadillac XT5?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Cadillac XT5 is cheaper to maintain at $807/year versus $1185/year for the Audi Q7.

Is the Audi Q7 or Cadillac XT5 safer?

Both the Audi Q7 and Cadillac XT5 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5: Reliability Compared

Audi Q7

Good

More Reliable

Cadillac XT5

Good

Choosing between the Audi Q7 and the Cadillac XT5? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Cadillac XT5 currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 64/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi Q7 and Cadillac XT5 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Cadillac XT5 is in its second generation, which began in 2024. This places it relatively early in its generation cycle, a period when vehicles can sometimes experience initial teething issues as new technologies and designs are integrated. The XT5's first generation spanned from 2017 to 2023, with a notable facelift in 2020 that typically helps address early production concerns and improve reliability. In contrast, detailed generation history for the Audi Q7 is not available, making direct comparisons challenging. However, the lack of new platform data suggests potential stability in its design, which could imply a mature and well-sorted vehicle platform less prone to early-cycle issues.

Verdict

The Cadillac XT5 is more reliable than the Audi Q7, scoring 74/100 vs 64/100.

The Cadillac XT5 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Audi Q7, with an average reliability score of 74/100 against the Q7's 64/100. The XT5 also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 4.2 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Q7's 16.3, and has fewer total recalls over its lifespan. Additionally, the XT5 boasts lower estimated annual repair costs at $807, in contrast to the Q7's $1185. While both vehicles share common issues in several areas, the XT5's overall reliability metrics make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Cadillac XT5 costs $378 less per year to repair
2Cadillac XT5 has 16 fewer total recalls
3Cadillac XT5 has 12.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

0Audi Q7

—

5Cadillac XT5

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi Q7	Cadillac XT5
Reliability Score	64/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	8
Total Recalls	32	16
Complaints per 10k Sold	16.3	4.2
Annual Repair Cost	$1185/yr	$807/yr
Repair Frequency	0.9/yr	0.6/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	7

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q7 and Cadillac XT5?

The Audi Q7 exhibits a higher overall complaint count with 314 issues, prominently featuring 63 electrical system complaints, of which four are crash-linked, indicating a significant area of concern. Additionally, the Q7 has issues with the engine and steering, with the latter contributing to three crash-related incidents. In contrast, the Cadillac XT5 has 162 total complaints, with steering and power train problems being the most reported, although only one power train issue is crash-linked. Notably, the XT5 encounters fewer electrical and engine complaints compared to the Q7, suggesting relatively better performance in these categories, though it has some concerns with vehicle speed control, including two crash-linked complaints.

Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5 common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi Q7	Cadillac XT5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.3Average	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	2.1Low	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.8Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	1.1Low	0.7Very Low
SUSPENSION	1.3Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	0.7Very Low	0.6Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.6Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
TIRES	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi Q7 or Cadillac XT5?

Independent repair cost data reveals that maintaining an Audi Q7 can be more expensive, with an annual repair cost of $1,185 compared to the Cadillac XT5's $807. Over five years, this results in a $1,890 difference, making the XT5 a more budget-friendly option. The Q7 also requires more frequent visits to the shop, averaging 0.9 visits per year, while the XT5 averages 0.6 visits annually. Furthermore, the Q7 has a 13% risk of major repairs, adding to potential costs. For cost-conscious buyers, the Cadillac XT5 offers better value, with lower expenses and less frequent repair needs.

How Does Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5 Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi Q7	Cadillac XT5	Edge
2025	68/1002R / 10C	74/1001R / 2C	Cadillac XT5
2024	70/1003R / 0C	72/1003R / 10C	Cadillac XT5
2023	66/1003R / 16C	72/1004R / 13C	Cadillac XT5
2021	59/1009R / 61C	73/1003R / 24C	Cadillac XT5
2020	65/1005R / 22C	71/1005R / 19C	Cadillac XT5
2019	62/1004R / 58C	78/1000R / 31C	Cadillac XT5
2018	58/1003R / 134C	77/1000R / 63C	Cadillac XT5
2026(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	73/100(predicted)	Cadillac XT5

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Audi Q7 scored 70/100 and the 2019 Cadillac XT5 scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi Q7 vs the Cadillac XT5?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Cadillac XT5 is a solid choice. With a reliability score of 74/100, it surpasses the Audi Q7's 64/100. The XT5 also has fewer recalls (16 compared to the Q7's 32) and a lower rate of owner complaints at 4.2 per 10,000 sold. Independent repair cost estimates suggest the XT5 is more economical to maintain, with annual costs around $807 and a lower repair frequency of 0.6 times per year. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the Audi brand and can manage higher upkeep, the Q7 might still appeal to you. However, be prepared for an estimated $1185 in annual repair costs and a 13% risk of major repairs. The Q7 faces more frequent issues, particularly with its electrical system and engine. For those who value brand prestige and can accommodate these concerns, the Q7 might be worth considering.

Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT5: Common Questions

Is the Audi Q7 more reliable than the Cadillac XT5?: Based on our data, the Cadillac XT5 is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi Q7 or the Cadillac XT5?: The Audi Q7 has more recalls (32) compared to the Cadillac XT5 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q7 or the Cadillac XT5?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Cadillac XT5 has a lower complaint rate at 4.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 16.3 for the Audi Q7. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q7 or the Cadillac XT5?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Cadillac XT5 is cheaper to maintain at $807/year versus $1185/year for the Audi Q7.
Is the Audi Q7 or Cadillac XT5 safer?: Both the Audi Q7 and Cadillac XT5 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Audi Q7 comparisons

Audi Q7 vs BMW X5 reliability Audi Q7 vs Acura ZDX reliability Audi Q7 reliability by year Audi Q7 years to avoid

More Cadillac XT5 comparisons

Cadillac XT5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE reliability Cadillac XT5 vs Lexus RX reliability Cadillac XT5 vs Acura MDX reliability Cadillac XT5 vs BMW X5 reliability Cadillac XT5 reliability by year Cadillac XT5 years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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