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2017 Cadillac CTS Gets Freshened Styling, New Features, New Trim Levels And Much, Much More

The third-generation Cadillac CTS has been somewhat of a mixed bag: despite being highly potent in its competitive set and being a solid luxury vehicle overall, CTS sales have been trending down year after year since its debut in 2014: a total of 31,115 units of the CTS were sold in the U.S. during calendar year 2014, but only 19,485 were delivered in calendar 2015. And though the sales drop has been more than made up by sales of the smaller ATS, we can’t help but feel that the CTS has much more sales potential than is currently being realized. Here’s to hoping that the mid-cycle enhancement (MCE) for the 2017 model year CTS will help buck the downward trend.

The most noticeable changes to the 2017 Cadillac CTS include a new front grille as well as changes to the rear fascia.

In addition, two exterior colors are deleted while two new ones are added:

Deleted Colors

  • Cocoa Bronze Metallic
  • Silver Coast Metallic

New Colors

  • Silver Moonlight Metallic
  • Bronze Dune Metallic

Five sets of wheels are deleted, including:

  • (RSH) 17″ 10-spoke painted alloy wheels
  • (RLI) 17″ 10-spoke Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish wheels with dark painted pockets
  • (RCV) 18″ 7-spoke polished alloy wheels
  • (QD0) 18″ Midnight Silver premium painted alloy wheels
  • (R1K) 18″ Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets

In their place are the following three new wheels designs:

  • (RP1) 17″ 10-spoke painted alloy wheels (new wheel design) (replaces RSH)
  • (QO0) 17″ 10-spoke Ultra Bright machined alloy finish wheels with dark painted pockets (new wheel design) (replaces RLI)
  • (RC0) 18″ Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish wheels with After Midnight painted pockets (new V-Sport wheel design) (replaces QD0 and R1K)

There are also three new LPO-level wheel accessories:

  • (5AL) Bright Chrome wheel insert
  • (SGZ) 19″ Matte Black painted alloy wheels
  • (5XQ) 19″ Ultra Silver premium painted alloy wheels

Inside, the 2016 CTS replaces two interior trim color combos with two new ones:

Deleted Color Combinations

  • Light Cashmere with Medium Cashmere accents
  • Light Cashmere with Medium Cashmere accents

New Color Combinations

  • Very Light Cashmere with Jet Black accents – replaces (HDZ)
  • Very Light Cashmere with Jet Black accents – replaces (H5Y)

In addition, the Sapele wood trim is replaced with Aluminum trim.

New 2017 Cadillac CTS features include:

  • Technology Package exclusively for the 3.6L Premium Luxury model that include:
    • Advanced Security Package
    • Performance Seat and Cluster Package
    • Driver Assist Package
  • Auto ventilated seat functionality
  • AWD badge replaces “CTS4” badge on rear decklid
  • Cadillac Rear Camera Mirror (not available on base model)
  • The base gauge cluster is said to get “appearance upgrades”, though we don’t know how they look yet
  • Updated Cadillac CUE infotainment system that includes Collection, Teen Driver and Android Auto:
    • Collection — access to browse, select and install apps to your vehicle. Apps include Pandora, iHeart Radio, The Weather Channel and more (data plan rates may apply)
    • Teen Driver — configurable feature that lets you activate customizable vehicle settings associated with a key fob to encourage safe driving behavior. It can limit certain vehicle features, and it prevents certain safety systems from being turned off. An in-vehicle report gives you information on your teen’s driving habits and helps you to continue to coach your new driver
    • Android Auto (set for interim-16 model year introduction)
  • There are also four new LPO-level accessories:
    • (VEB) Pedal cover set
    • (5AL) Bright Chrome wheel insert
    • (SGZ) 19″ Matte Black painted alloy wheels
    • (5XQ) 19″ Ultra Silver premium painted alloy wheels

The 2017 CTS also gets Cadillac’s new trim level hierarchy initially introduced on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 and 2017 Cadillac XT5:

  • Model 6AF69 naming convention changes from Standard to CTS (that’s the base)
  • Model 6AH69 naming convention changes from Luxury Collection to Luxury
  • Model 6AK69 naming convention changes from Performance Collection to Premium Luxury
  • Model 6AL69 (V-Sport) 2SK naming convention changes from V-Sport Premium to V-Sport Premium Luxury

And lastly, there are several minor package-level changes, including:

  • (UHN) 18″ 10-spoke polished alloy wheels are now available on Luxury 2.0L Turbo/3.6L
  • (HCR) V-Sport Package wheel changes to (RIP) 18″ V-Sport Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish with After Midnight painted pockets
  • (SG3) LPO, V-Sport Performance Suspension Upgrade Package wheel changes to (SPH) 18″ Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish with After Midnight painted pockets
[nggallery id=840]

Following are GM’s official RPO-level changes to the 2017 Cadillac CTS Sedan:

Deletions

  • Model 6AK69 2.0L Turbo Performance 1SG / 1SH
  • Model 6AL69 2.0L Turbo Premium 1SJ / 1SK
  • Model 6AL69 3.6L Premium 1SS / 1ST
  • Interior color (H5Y) Light Cashmere with Medium Cashmere accents
  • Interior color (HDZ) Light Cashmere with Medium Cashmere accents
  • Exterior color (G1F) Cocoa Bronze Metallic
  • Exterior color (GWT) Silver Coast Metallic
  • (RSH) 17″ 10-spoke painted alloy wheels
  • (RLI) 17″ 10-spoke Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish wheels with dark painted pockets
  • (RCV) 18″ 7-spoke polished alloy wheels
  • (QD0) 18″ Midnight Silver premium painted alloy wheels
  • (R1K) 18″ Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets

New Features

  • New front grille design and rear fascia appearance changes (AWD badge added; replaces “4” badge on rear decklid)
  • Auto ventilated seat functionality
  • Interior color (H5O) Very Light Cashmere with Jet Black accents; replaces (HDZ)
  • Interior color (HR3) Very Light Cashmere with Jet Black accents; replaces (H5Y)
  • Exterior color (GGB) Silver Moonlight Metallic (available at extra charge)
  • Exterior color (GMU) Bronze Dune Metallic (available at extra charge)
  • (PCQ) Technology Package, includes (Y61) Advanced Security Package, (Y62) Performance Seat and Cluster Package and (Y66) Driver Assist Package (3.6L Premium Luxury only)
  • (UE4) Following Distance Indicator (included in [Y65] Driver Awareness Package)
  • (DRZ) Rear Camera Mirror (not available on CTS)
  • (UDD) Base cluster appearance upgrades
  • (RP1) 17″ 10-spoke painted alloy wheels (new wheel design) (replaces RSH)
  • (QO0) 17″ 10-spoke Ultra Bright machined alloy finish wheels with dark painted pockets (new wheel design) (replaces RLI)
  • (RC0) 18″ Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish wheels with After Midnight painted pockets (new V-Sport wheel design) (replaces QD0 and R1K)
  • LPO Accessories:
    • (VEB) Pedal cover set
    • (5AL) Bright Chrome wheel insert
    • (SGZ) 19″ Matte Black painted alloy wheels
    • (5XQ) 19″ Ultra Silver premium painted alloy wheels

Changes

  • Model 6AF69 naming convention changes from Standard to CTS
  • Model 6AH69 naming convention changes from Luxury Collection to Luxury
  • Model 6AK69 naming convention changes from Performance Collection to Premium Luxury
  • Model 6AL69 (V-Sport) 2SK naming convention changes from V-Sport Premium to V-Sport Premium Luxury
  • Interior color (H2D) deco trim natural Sapele wood replaced with Aluminum trim
  • Updated Cadillac CUE (Info 2.6 version), includes Collection and Teen Driver
    • Collection — Access to browse, select and install apps to your vehicle. Apps include Pandora, iHeart Radio, The Weather Channel and more (data plan rates may apply)
    • Teen Driver — Configurable feature that lets you activate customizable vehicle settings associated with a key fob to encourage safe driving behavior. It can limit certain vehicle features, and it prevents certain safety systems from being turned off. An in-vehicle report gives you information on your teen’s driving habits and helps you to continue to coach your new driver
    • Android Auto (launched interim 16MY)
  • (UHN) 18″ 10-spoke polished alloy wheels now available on Luxury 2.0L Turbo/3.6L
  • (HCR) V-Sport Package wheel changes to (RIP) 18″ V-Sport Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish with After Midnight painted pockets
  • (SG3) LPO, V-Sport Performance Suspension Upgrade Package wheel changes to (SPH) 18″ Ultra-Bright machined alloy finish with After Midnight painted pockets

2017 Cadillac CTS-V

For 2017 Cadillac CTS-V info, see this link: 2017 Cadillac CTS-V changes and updates.

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Comments

  1. Can’t wait to see pics of the interior. Exterior is perfect. Are they changing the name?

    Reply
    1. Nope, only when the fourth-gen CTS launches will it be changed to (likely) CT5.

      Reply
    2. Where did you find exterior pics?

      Reply
      1. There aren’t any… I think (and correct me if I’m wrong) what Curtis meant is that the exterior already looks good.

        Reply
    3. Exterior is not perfect. It is dated fom the profile view to the life less tail lights and the boring rear end overall.
      Im not expecting too much from this gen. Full led can help a little though. But its IS dated and boring looking car.
      Just like the rest of the models. Art and science is dead. Cadillac needs a fresh air. New style, new design. I cant wait for the next gen models.

      Reply
  2. Why didn’t they introduce this at the NYIAS?
    New York is now Cadillac’s backyard plus they had hundreds of assembled media from around the world reporting. Cadillac should have used the opportunity to introduce this model to take advantage of the opportunity instead they were dormant and let other manufacturers steal the spotlight.

    Reply
    1. First off this is not the only show. Two this is just a mild refresh and generally these are just press release kinds of changes.

      Besides the focus is on the CT6 and XT5 right now. Why distract from that with some minor changes.

      That spot light is kind of hard to move off a totally new car to focus on your new color paint job and sports suspension under the same body you have had.

      Reply
  3. I wonder about the source of this info. Let me explain. On Saturday, I was at the Cadillac dealership talking to my salesman. He showed me the one CT6 they have in the dealership. I had seen the car at the Auto show, but access at the auto show was restricted. I sat in the CT6. He’s knows I’m torn between the CTS and the CT6. Long story short. I asked him when GM was planning to update the CTS and he told me in about 2 years. This salesman is good. He sold me my 2014 ATS. I’m sure he didn’t know. Well, I’m still planning to replace my ATS with the CT6. It is stunning. Unfortunately, I couldn’t drive it. If it drives as well as it looks – I’ll take it. If not, I would be ecstatic to own a CTS.

    Reply
    1. First off sale staff are not always up on what is going on no matter what the company. Some do a good job keeping up some you have to fill them in at times on what new model you are looking for.

      Second this is just a refresh not a major update is about two more years.

      The new management just arrived 2 years this coming August and mild refreshes take two years min. A major upgrade to the CT5 will take at least 2 more years as these take 4-5 years to do.

      If you want more comfort and advance technology the CT6 is your car. The CTS is a little more sport and has a little less soft side. Both are great cars but it just a matter of what you prefer the most.

      Reply
    2. Daenerys — the source is as legit as it gets — GM’s own internal order guides.

      As scott3 said, dealer sales staff aren’t always the best source of information regarding future products, as it is something that you really need to keep track of on a daily basis. Not saying your salesman does or doesn’t do this, but rather just making an observation. You should point him to GM Authority for more 🙂

      Reply
    3. Yes the GM online order guide is where most of this all shows up first. Most of it starts to post around now and most is posted no later than late May.

      When order info goes public it is seen here first most times.

      Reply
  4. I feel like all the GM products with the newer infotainment system will have Teen Driver

    Reply
  5. It should be interesting to see what the changes are in terms of styling. I would love to know what auto ventilated seat functionality is.

    Reply
    1. Auto-vent is analogous to auto-heated seats: the vent function is integrated with the vehicle’s automatic climate control, so that when it determines that it would be appropriate to ventilate the seats, it will do so (as long as the AUTO climate control is on).

      Over the last few years, the vehicles have acquired automatic seat heating, but ventilation was a manual feature… until now.

      Reply
  6. Reply
  7. Good day,
    I’m hoping someone can help me out.
    I am looking to get a new GM vehicle. I would like to get a supplier discount.
    Costco is not currently offering it these next 2 months. (they only have the Silverado offer)
    If anyone can provide any help it would be greatly appreciated.
    Gino

    Reply
  8. I Googled past CTS sales figures and it appears 2011 was the best year for the second generation with sales of about 55,000 that year. It’s too bad about the current sales slump. What happened? I know the 3rd generation is a totally different vehicle than 2nd in terms of looks and in size. Are people who would have bought a 2nd generation CTS buying the current ATS?

    Reply
    1. 3rd Gen CTS Sales – What happend? Wrong pricing and bland styling. Cadillac blew off a lot of customers by jacking up the sales price by $10k. Cadillac designers reverted back to slab side Gen 1 styling eliminating all curves? Why do Cadillac designers hate curves now? Additionally, they had inflexible package options preventing someone from getting a sun-roof on the $60k V-Sport. Instead, you had to spend $70k to get a sun-roof on the V-Sport? Plus DOA CUE system which Cadillac is now just correcting by including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

      Bottom line 3rd gen CTS was a sales and marketing disaster. Don’t get mad at me. The sales numbers tell the truth and are the only bench mark to evaluate. My advice is go back and review why the 2nd gen CTS (I’m a 2008 CTS owner) was such a good value and sales success and listen to customer feedback when designing 4th gen CTS or whatever Cadillac wants to name it.

      Reply
      1. Thanks for your insight

        Also, I stand corrected: 2008 was the best sales year for the the 2nd gen CTS with 58,774 cars. And 2005 was the best year ever, for all generations, with 61,512 vehicles sold.

        I’d like to have a car with a usable back seat so that eliminates the ATS.

        Reply
        1. Don’t forget, the second generation CTS offered coupe and wagon models, not to mention manual transmission. Having more models (i.e. more customer choice) could account for the higher sales when compared with the third generation, which lacks a coupe, a wagon, and manual transmissions.

          Reply
      2. Let’s be clear here, the new CTS isn’t a CTS successor. If anything, it’s closer to an STS successor. The CTS was, previously, the smallest car in the Cadillac lineup. That position has now been taken up by the ATS which is dimensionally similar to the older CTS. That’s why there is an ATS Coupe and not a CTS Coupe.

        If you were to compare the STS and the new CTS, it makes more sense as they pushed the line up market. The issue is actually with the sizing on the ATS and that it gave up a bit too much in rear seat room compared to the old CTS.

        That being said, the worst thing they could do now is suddenly shift course and go back to the questionable build quality and marginal pricing of the 2008. The days of the cheap Cadillac are owner, and no one should mourn the passing.

        Reply
        1. the outgoing cts was a tweener car, sized in the middle between the current ATS and CTS. now the ATS was made to directly compete with Audi A4 BMW 3 series etc. and the CTS to compete directly with the E class, 5 series, and A6. its not selling because lots of shoppers are still not ok with spending 50-60k on a new Cadillac. this is nobodies fault but Cadillac since the CTS was released there has been practically no marketing. its been praised since day one by enthusiasts everywhere, its light, its gorgeously designed and well engineered and the quality of the interiors are on par with competitors.

          Reply
  9. It’s such a shame that what is perhaps the best Cadillac sedan ever made has not been able to resonate with the market. I know the price hike, and to a lesser extent, interior shortcomings, may have driven potential customers away from the CTS, but this is truly the only Cadillac currently on the market worth its value! The way I see it, Cadillac may as well merge the CTS with the CT6 to eliminate the pricing overlap, since more people are likely to gravitate towards the it.

    Anyways, I hope the refreshed 2017 CTS brings more than what’s listed above. I’m dying to see GM’s V2V technology, along with a potential 4.2L TTV8 option!

    Reply
    1. Or it could have been all the previous cars that were over promised and under delivered?

      You have only so many times you can declare a car world class till when you do have one they will not believe you till you prove it over time.

      Reply
    2. 0 marketing for a class leading car in almost all fronts. its the lightest with the best driving dynamics, and one of the best looking cars in its class. whens the last time you seen a Cadillac commercial that grabbed your attention?

      Reply
  10. The current CTS lost its taught, sporty car look.
    It looks kinda bloated now; more like a luxury barge than a sports sedan.

    And the front & rear are fine; it’s the sides that are letting the car down

    Whenever I see a 2nd gen CTS, I say, “now that looks right”. When I look at a new CTS, I say, “what did they do?”

    Reply
    1. people praise the CTS for its exterior styling. one of the best in class. its sized perfectly for its class, its lighter than anything in its class, and handles better than anything in its class. people aren’t buying it because there is no marketing

      Reply
  11. The lease is up on my 2014 CTS next year so I may be getting a 2017. I hope they don’t screw it up !!!

    Reply
  12. the 2nd gen CTS looks lame.

    Reply
  13. The freshening of the CTS was needed to stand in line with the CT6 . The car will get a bump up in sales now .
    For anyone thinking that the A & S styling is boring , you need to watch on youtube an interview with JDN . It was an AutoWeek interview . He states that the styling will evolve in an evolutionary way . The creases will get softer but not to the point of what we see coming out of Germany . The advances in technology are changing faster than ever before and the development teams are using the latest in CAD-CAM . We will see his influence in vehicles prior to 2020 , but he said realistically for Cadillac to even begin to improve their image is a 10 – 15 year venture .
    So he sees his job as keeping Cadillac fresh now but is looking further into the future .
    Profits and Market share are also a top priority .
    You have to give him credit for his pursuit in making Cadillac great again , not only in the U.S but globally .

    Reply
  14. when will A&S will completely go away?

    Reply
    1. When will we see you completely go away?

      Reply
  15. Just to make sure, the CTS-V is included in the refresh for 2017 right ?

    Reply
  16. Looking forward to seeing the pics when they are available.

    Reply
  17. Do we have any idea if the vehicle picture here is the new Silver Moonlight Metallic?

    Reply

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