The 2017 Cadillac XT5 debuts a completely new structure and chassis that enable the crossover to be space efficient, lightweight, and deliver agile driving dynamics.
Though unconfirmed by GM/Cadillac personnel, the architecture is known internally as the C1XX platform. The architecture features a transverse engine orientation sending power to the front wheels as standard, while an all-wheel drive system is optional.
Light Weight
The XT5 benefits from GM-Cadillac’s latest prowess in vehicle lightweighting. It is 278 pounds (126 kg) lighter than the second-generation SRX it replaces, while also weighing less than competitors. For instance, the XT5 is:
- 100 pounds (45 kg) lighter than the Audi Q5, despite the Cadillac being seven inches longer
- Over than 650 pounds (295 kg) lighter than the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
No Compromises
But lighter weight doesn’t mean that the Cadillac XT5 makes compromises in other areas such as rigidity, space, or crash performance. Cadillac says that the crossover achieves the weight savings with “no compromise to body rigidity and crash performance.”
The XT5’s wheelbase measures in at 112.5 inches (2857 mm), an increase of two inches (50 mm) compared to the 110.5 inch (2807 mm) wheelbase of the 2016 SRX it replaces, enabling the XT5 to have 3.2 inches (8.1 cm) more rear-seat legroom than the SRX. What’s more, the XT5’s rear seat reclines and slides fore and aft. By comparison, the rear seats of the SRX were only capable of reclining, and not capable of sliding back and forth.
The Secret
To achieve this, engineers applied many of the same techniques used on the Cadillac CTS and ATS sport-luxury sedans – the lightest cars in their respective segments. These include the use of laser welding, ultra high-strength steel and advanced analytics that ensure a stronger structure, and excellent crash performance with less overall bulk.
“The new XT5 takes the lessons learned from Cadillac’s highly acclaimed lightweight and agile luxury cars and adjusts the formula for the unique desires of the crossover vehicle customer,” says David Leone, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “Reducing mass and bulk not only improves driving dynamics, it enables us to improve interior space and fuel efficiency.”
Other C1XX Uses
We believe that a longer variant of the XT5’s C1XX platform will be used to underpin other future GM vehicles, including the next-gen Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Encalve, and Buick Enspire (along with its rumored Opel-Vauxhall variant).
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Comments
Impressive technology that further highlights GM’s chassis design and implementation capabilities.
The significant weight savings while being longer wheelbase, increased equipment and more interior room is the most impressive aspect.
The Q5 is in the compact luxury crossover segment along with the GLC yet the new XT5 is 100 lbs. lighter than it.
The Q5 is in the compact segment with the GLC and X3. The subcompact class is Q3, GLA, X1.
Either way, yes, it’s impressive. But that happens when you take away the legacy platform elements that the last gen platform was riddled with.
That said, I still would have liked to see the XT5 be RWD. But this is an old decision, pre Johan. Hopefully this will be the last nose heavy Cadillac ever.
That is what I meant but good catch nonetheless.
In the midsized luxury crossover segment driving dynamics benefits associated with a RWD chassis is not the main buying criteria.
If that was the case then vehicles like the X5 and GLE would have the segment sales lead and not FWD based vehicles like the RX, SRX and MDX.
I liked the 1st gen SRX also but not enough people did and even less people bought one.
Here are the sales numbers to support this :
First gen;
2003 -5049 (partial year )
2004 -30019
2005 -22999
2006 -22043
2007 -22543
2008 -16156
2009 -20237
2nd Gen
2010 -51094
2011 -56905
2012 -57485
2013 -56776
2014 -53578
2015 -56736 (YTD -through October )
The 2nd generation SRX more than doubled the 1st generation model in yearly sales.
The FWD SRX is far more successful so why mess with a winning formula.
Cadillac is planning 3 other crossovers in the coming few years and certainly there will be a couple RWD models likely based on a version of the ATS chassis.
Well, I would disagree with the statement about driving dynamics not being a priority. I think that they are and that most buyers would actually opt for an X5 or a GLE/ML if they could afford it. But the fact that there is a huge ($10,000) price difference between the Benz and BMW vs. an RX, MDX, MKX, etc. is what creates the sales disparity.
I think there is no question that the German two are much more desirable than the rest if price weren’t an issue.
To add to that, wasn’t the first-gen SRX much more expensive than the second model? That should explain the sales fluctuations.
The other explanation is the size/growth of the crossover market in general now compared to the time the first gen was around. I would bet that if the first gem was around today but in a modern form, it would perform better than the current model, or just as well, from a sales standpoint.
I still say that Cadillac needs to do away with the FWD stuff (Buick is a good place for that) and focus on building class and segment leading vehicles on world class RWD-derived platforms.
Most women who buy those vehicles don’t know the difference or even care. In my area, people buy German vehicles for the cachet of the brand but know very little about the technical aspect of the vehicle. Yes the buyer’s are mainly Chinese immigrants with tons of cash and little driving experience. For them, Cadillac isn’t even a consideration. We also have the highest concentration of AMG vehicles in North America.
The first generation was relatively experience bit still less expensive than the comparable BMW or MB at the time and still sold poorly.
Clearly Cadillac learned from that experience. They changed the chassis the vehicle was built on allowing them to reduce the price and connect with the majority of their prospective buyers for whom the driving dynamics benefits of a RWD vehicle is not their first criteria.
RWD based vehicles will be the focus for Cadillac,which clearly what they are doing, but I do not think it is as imperative in the crossover market.
Driving dynamics are important but clearly not the main criteria.
There is very little else that is a clear benefit that RWD brings to the table especially in the segment that the XT5 plays in.
I agree that the name recognition, desirability and cache is higher at BMW, Audi and MB allowing them to charge significantly higher prices for vehicles in the same category but Cadillac is steadily making progress in that area also.
I don’t believe it was the cost that slowed sales of the first gen. SRX . I owned one and it was a nice vehicle , but was more of a station wagon than a full out SUV . Cadillac seen what success Lexus was having with the RX and also having a higher seating position which most SUV owners want / like .
Also i believe that the general public doesn’t really care if they are being pushed by a RWD or pulled by a FWD . And depending on where you live most would rather have the FWD for snowy conditions and don’t want to spend the extra dough for an AWD model . A FWD model equipped with the right tires will do well in inclement weather .
We know that the SRX’s engine doesn’t sit right on top of the front drivetrain , but is close enough for most folks .
Sales tell the story , most SRX’s sold are FWD Luxury editions .
I also own a Terrain and the back seat moves back and forth up to 8 inches , Cadillac having it now in the XT5 isn’t anything new but catching up with what others in the market have . Its good they did this . The rear compartment looks to be a very nice place to spend time in just incase someone yelled shotgun before you did !
Given the choice, I would not buy a FWD car again. In the past few years we have owned 2014 CTS, 2010 XC60, 2007 STS, 2003 Pathfinder… driving dynamics are important to me. When I have to drive my in-law’s 2008 Enclave, I just get sick to my stomach with the stearing wheel twitching all over the place and the CVT slushing the vehicle from a stand still. I just can not believe that people buy FWD cars.
When considering a new car, I always look at the RWD or AWD vehilcles first.
My next car, hopefully, will be RWD also. But I think most people don’t know what drive wheels their car is nowadays and if they did, do they understand what is the difference between RWD and FWD.
Having had Cadillacs for years and currently the wife’s car being an SRX, I can say my Chevy VOLT is better than any !!!. Wish the Volt was a little bigger, but otherwise there is no comparison. Cannot stand the noise of the motor and lurching around in the srx compared to the quiet and smooth ride in the volt. The Volt is the best car I have ever had, and more fun too
My first vehicle in 1974 was a RWD Vega, and I drove two other RWD (Camaro and Cutlass Supreme) in the 1980’s. Now my present vehicles are FWD (Equinox and Fusion) and my previous two were FWD, too (Ciera and Regal), and these two gave me over 21 years of great service each. Only performance vehicle may benefit with RWD, but for the common layperson and daily driver, the FWD vehicle is a better deal.
I may buy a XT5 next year as a replacement for my Equinox.