Unveiled fully at the New York Auto Show is the all-new 2019 Cadillac XT4 compact luxury SUV that sends a new entry point for the brand, just below the mid-sized XT5.

While Cadillac says the XT4 is developed on an “exclusive compact SUV architecture”, the new XT4 shares much of its chassis architecture with the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, its basic powertrain bits, and its overall footprint.

While sharing a lot of family DNA under the skin, the Cadillac XT4 debuts all-new design to the eyes both inside and out, with the luxury features, specs and feature technologies to take on compact competitors from Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti and even BMW.

Designed much like the latest Cadillac models like the XT5 and CT6, its face is bold, its lighting is distinct, its lines are crisp. There’s no question it’s a Cadillac no matter which way you look at it. In fact it looks a lot like a smaller XT5 from a distance.

As expected in this price class, LED lighting comes standard front and rear. It heads through the night with LED low and high beam lamps and LED “light blade” daytime running lamps. At the rear are standard LED taillights.

To be available in three distinct trim grades Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport the character of the XT4 will vary widely from a visual and feature standpoint both inside and out. This will carry through in the cabin which will be outfitted with a variety of colors and materials unique to each theme.

Regardless of your chosen theme, design is evolutionary and in DNA with other recent Cadillac models, featuring artful forms and higher quality materials than in other GM vehicles. Genuine hides, heated and ventilated, woods, metals and more await.

Front and center, the the infamous CUE user interface has been redesigned once again to now finally offer ease of use and enjoyable living with it – a claim we will believe when we try it ourselves.

They claim better graphics that are faster in transitions, menus laid out more intuitively than before and features that are much easier to access and use across the board. Apple Car Play yes, Android Auto yes, and of course 4GLTE wifi for all just to hit the highlights.

The XT4 has a strut front suspension but is upgraded from its family siblings to a five-link independent rear suspension. Available is a continuously damping Active Sport Suspension that can dial up the feel and character via the drive modes and constantly adjust to driving situations on the fly.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that now has cylinder deactivation to safe fuel and variable valve lift. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain is rated at 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It also gets engine auto start-stop which will hopefully come with an off-switch.

Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, Cadillac says the XT4 will be able to achieve as much as 30 mpg highway.

Announced ahead of most specs and details, the 2019 Cadillac XT4 will start at $35,790 when it goes on sale this fall. Expect it to reach past $50,000 when fully optioned.