I have a 2013 SRX with no problems for my wife and she wants to up upgrade. I am looking at 20-22 XT5’s. Have there been problems with the turbo engines? Are there pros or cons of either one? It seems like the smaller engines are working a lot harder with more parts to break with the turbo.
XT5 2.0 turbo or 3.6
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I've owned both. Both are great. 2018 3.6 my current 2021 is 2.0 turbo.
The 3.6 is certainly smoother, with the turbo you do get the typical turbo lag so if you punch it from a stop it does tend to "kick in". So a bit less smooth from a stop if you want to go fast. If you start at a regular speed then you don't feel any turbo lag. Around town I find the 2.0 actually more peppy. I like the feeling of it in city driving. I really don't mind it. Fuel economy wise I can get 800km/497 miles on the highway out of one tank. Yes it does run better on premium fuel as suggested by GM. But I use premium on all my cars anyway so that doesn't bother me except when it gets to $2/litre. Then that becomes expensive, like $120 to fill.
So typical daily driving they are both fine and I liked them both with the turbo actually a bit more fun in the city.
On the highway is where you'll notice the biggest difference. On the highway at any speed the 3.6 has plenty of power left behind to pass in overdrive. It's great. The 2.0 doesn't quite have that same passing power and you are best to have it in sport mode when highway driving to give a bit more omph when passing. Now don't get me wrong, it's fine, and I've done a lot of highway passing with the 2.0 and never thought oh no... I'm out of juice. But it certainly isn't the same level of confidence than the 3.6. Now I'm talking about passing on a two lane highway where you NEED to pass and get out of oncoming traffic quick. If you're on a four lane or more then passing with the 2.0 is not a problem. It's perfectly fine in those conditions. On a two lane you need to punch it, pass then get back in the right hand lane.
If there were two XT5's with the exact options I wanted and one was 3.6 and one 2.0, I'd probably go with the 3.6. That being said, I bought my 2021 in Nov 2021 right when the dealer lots were starting to become really empty but pricing wasn't as bad as it is now and in 2022. So I didn't have a choice, the XT5 had the exact options I wanted and was the only one in 500 km around me that I liked. I was lucky and got 0% financing on it as well. I have zero regrets, love the XT5 and am perfectly fine with the 2.0.
So all things equal, I'd go with 3.6. But if you find the options you want and the price is right on a 2.0, don't hesitate, it's a great vehicle and I certainly wouldn't call it underpowered.
The 3.6 is certainly smoother, with the turbo you do get the typical turbo lag so if you punch it from a stop it does tend to "kick in". So a bit less smooth from a stop if you want to go fast. If you start at a regular speed then you don't feel any turbo lag. Around town I find the 2.0 actually more peppy. I like the feeling of it in city driving. I really don't mind it. Fuel economy wise I can get 800km/497 miles on the highway out of one tank. Yes it does run better on premium fuel as suggested by GM. But I use premium on all my cars anyway so that doesn't bother me except when it gets to $2/litre. Then that becomes expensive, like $120 to fill.
So typical daily driving they are both fine and I liked them both with the turbo actually a bit more fun in the city.
On the highway is where you'll notice the biggest difference. On the highway at any speed the 3.6 has plenty of power left behind to pass in overdrive. It's great. The 2.0 doesn't quite have that same passing power and you are best to have it in sport mode when highway driving to give a bit more omph when passing. Now don't get me wrong, it's fine, and I've done a lot of highway passing with the 2.0 and never thought oh no... I'm out of juice. But it certainly isn't the same level of confidence than the 3.6. Now I'm talking about passing on a two lane highway where you NEED to pass and get out of oncoming traffic quick. If you're on a four lane or more then passing with the 2.0 is not a problem. It's perfectly fine in those conditions. On a two lane you need to punch it, pass then get back in the right hand lane.
If there were two XT5's with the exact options I wanted and one was 3.6 and one 2.0, I'd probably go with the 3.6. That being said, I bought my 2021 in Nov 2021 right when the dealer lots were starting to become really empty but pricing wasn't as bad as it is now and in 2022. So I didn't have a choice, the XT5 had the exact options I wanted and was the only one in 500 km around me that I liked. I was lucky and got 0% financing on it as well. I have zero regrets, love the XT5 and am perfectly fine with the 2.0.
So all things equal, I'd go with 3.6. But if you find the options you want and the price is right on a 2.0, don't hesitate, it's a great vehicle and I certainly wouldn't call it underpowered.
I have the V6 in a 2017 XT5 That was the only engine available in 2017. It has been bulletproof over that time. It is quiet and powerful and will burn anything that you put in it as long as it is no more than 10% ethanol and provides full power without having to shell out for premium fuel. I know that this is not a science based statement, but I have not set back the electronic miles per gallon estimate for over 44,000 miles. That electronic gadget says that I am averaging 27.3 mpg over that span. I live in a rural area and do not do much city driving, but I am very satisfied with fuel consumption. After my experience with the V6, there is no way that I would buy a 4 cylinder with a whistle even if I had to pay extra for the V6. Your YMMV.
V6 has very expensive maintenance, check price for replacement spark plug for V6 or replacement valve train chain and deactivation of 2 cylinders to save fuel is not good for normal engine operation
Using Premium Fuel in a vehicle that doesn't need it ,is a big waste of CASH
2020 XT5 Platinum in Red Horizon Tintcoat and Maple Sugar interior
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I could have also bought a Hyundai Accent and saved even more cash. But I'm good thanks.
2020 XT5, AWD Platinum, Garnet Metallic, 20" Ultra-Bright
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I read a few years ago that the EPA uses Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline without Ethanol additives for it's drive cycle tests. That is contrary to the advice of using Regular with up to 15% Ethanol.
If you ever try a tank or two with the gas your owner's manual calls for, let us know how much your mileage goes up. I'll bet it's at least 1+ mpg.
2020 XT5, AWD Platinum, Garnet Metallic, 20" Ultra-Bright
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2,760 Posts
I have tried that on several vehicles and did not ever experience an improvement by running exactly what the OM said. Higher octane has made a difference in performance, especially transmission shift quality because of reduced timing pullback with the knock sensors adjusting to the lower octane.
Interesting... our 3.6 XT5 and my buddy's XTS both get noticeably better mileage with 87 than with 91. (I think he said almost 3mpg better!) My Blackwing-powered CT6 gets better mileage with 100 octane than it does with 91, but not enough better to justify the $10/gal cost.
I notice zero difference in mileage and if it is up or down a few points, meh. And I do use regular fuel at times particularly when the price gets up to $1.80 to $1.95 a litre, When it's that high the premium gas goes above $2/L. Makes filling up my CTS/XT5 cost about $130 - $140. So I will drop down to the lower grade. All that being said, keep in mind, I currently own a 2.0 turbo XT5, so premium high octane is the recommended fuel. And when I did use the lower grade when the price was sky high I did notice nasty noises from the engine and poor performance after about 3 or 4 tank fills. So I went back to 92 octane as it should be run on.
Bottom line, use what you want, unless the MFG suggests a higher octane fuel, then use that. I couldn't care a less what someone spends their hard earned money on. That's their business.
I agree with that! My cars before my V were supercharged 3800s; they were not happy on anything less than 91.
Fast fun cars aren't cheap. But the smiles are priceless.
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