The 2017 Cadillac XT5 offers two gauge clusters:
- The base (XT5), Luxury, and Premium Luxury trims ship with the standard “half-moon” cluster, while…
- The range-topping XT5 Platinum gets an all-new cluster
The latter is, in my opinion, significantly better than the former.
The new gauge cluster in a 2017 Cadillac XT5 Platinum
Cadillac’s half-moon clusters — which the brand has used throughout most of its lineup since (roughly) 2011 — have been widely criticized for lacking in the visual appeal department. Though many might say that such complaints are a lot ado about nothing, I can’t help but note that — as an owner of a 2015 ATS Sedan with the half-moon cluster — the criticisms are not unwarranted: though there is no doubt that Caddy’s half-moon cluster is functional, it’s simply not as pleasing to the eyes as is expected from a luxury car, or as provided by other luxury vehicles — such as those from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Volvo.
The gauge cluster is probably the one component a driver will look at and interact with the most while driving.This isn’t something that’s easy to understand without comparing the cluster to those found in other luxury vehicles. Do that, and it becomes clear that the clusters offered by the competition are significantly more attractive than Cadillac’s half-moon units, while carrying the same or greater levels of functionality.
The “half moon” gauge cluster in a 2013 Cadillac ATS
In addition, it’s vital to note that Cadillac’s sole reason for existence current objective is to grow sales and market share in the automotive luxury space. The only way in which it will do so is by stealing sales from well-established rivals. To come remotely close to doing that, Cadillac must be better than those brands on every single level: from design to comfort, from driving dynamics/performance to safety, and from reliability to in-vehicle technology, including the design of its gauges.
Perhaps the best way to illustrate the importance of a solid gauge cluster in a luxury car (or any car, for that matter) is to consider the role the feature plays in the driving and ownership experience: second to the road ahead, the cluster is probably the one component a driver will look at and interact with the most while driving. A feature that receives that much attention should be as functional and as appealing as possible, and the half-moon cluster falls short on appeal. You don’t need to take my word for it, as Cadillac executives have identified gauge cluster design as an area of improvement in future vehicles.
That’s why I’m quite pleased to point out that the up-level cluster in the XT5 Platinum is a vast improvement over the half-moons. Not only is the new unit more functional thanks to a large, 5.7-inch color display, but it is also significantly more attractive from a design standpoint as a result of a new design, new layout and new typography, which consists of an easier-to-read white-on-black typeface.
Hence, I would very much welcome Cadillac standardizing on the gauge cluster found in the 2017 XT5 Platinum across its entire vehicle portfolio. This could be done as a rolling update to current models such as to the 2018 model year ATS, CTS and XTS, or implemented in Cadillac’s next-generation XT# and CT# models, which will debut over the next several years.
Another possibility is that Caddy could be working on an entirely new gauge cluster design that’s even better than the one being discussed here. And that would also be a welcome scenario… just as long as the half-moon design is a thing of the past.
2017 Cadillac XT5 Gauge Cluster Details
Base Cluster
- RPO code: UDD
- Description: 5.7″ color display, includes driver personalization, warning messages and vehicle information
- Availability: standard on XT5 base, Luxury, Premium Luxury
Up-Level Cluster
- RPO code: UHS
- Description: 8″ color, includes driver personalization, warning messages and vehicle information
- Availability: included exclusively in the Platinum equipment group
Comments
I am definitely in the camp of this is really no big deal, the complaints about the gauge cluster in the ats is a joke! As long as the proper info is displayed is all that is needed to talk about. The discussion about weather it pretty enough is ridiculous!
So it’s a “joke” to you, even when Caddy president himself said that it is an area that needs improvement?
Common man!
1. Have you seen Caddy’s current clusters? Not ugly, but definitely not attractive. The words average and uninspiring come to mind. Two words that should not be used to describe any product from Cadillac. Ever.
2. If the only thing that matters is that “proper info is displayed”, then maybe they should go back to the pre-2000 El Dorado gauges. Hey, those “show proper info”, right? Clearly, what you’re asking for is the bare minimum. Cadillac deserves and must do more.
3. People don’t complain when there is nothing to complain about. In this case, there clearly is a reason to complain because there is a ton of room for improvement.
Again, even Cadillac’s own leadership has admitted that it must improve in the area of gauge cluster design. Not sure how you can argue against it at this point.
I agree, the gauge cluster for the ATS is underwhelming compared to the competition. You have the 3, C, & A4 with these stellar central info displays and clusters, then there’s the ATS with something that was an afterthought. Making Cadillac as desirable again doesn’t just come from making the cars RWD, when you spend 80% of the time inside the vehicle. When I saw the XT5 gauge cluster, I was hoping Caddy would shift it over to the ATS immediately but they ay wait for the 2017 models to revamp it.
Agree completely!
The leader of Cadillac wasn’t saying anything negative about the cluster when they first came out! So clearly somebody didn’t see a problem with it!
I have never driven home after spending the day at work and gotten so mad at looking at the gauge cluster that I beat my wife because I couldn’t take it anymore.
Gauges are just that things to monitor how the car is running!
Fortunately most consumers are more objective (not so Brand loyal) or some manufacturers (eg: Cadillac) might never catch up to the rivals they’re trying to compete with!
As an ATS owner there is absolutely nothing wrong with the gauge display. And the 3 window display options are fabulous. However, I know Cadillac can and should improve the aesthetics. I am pleased they are addressing it and continuing to work on improvements.
The base gauge cluster is not suited to a premium luxury brand. Fortunately Cadillac recognizes this and is improving it.
Now if they also include some other common “luxury” features across the brand (like their competitors and even many Korean brands do) they will be more…competitive.
Being loyal is a good thing! It shows you have backbone, willing to stay strong threw good times and bad. It’s better than you people who are so wishy washy that you have zero loyalty.
No manufacturer is going to have every bell and whistle known to the automotive world. That’s why things don’t bother me like it does you. I also don’t spend my entire life looking over my neighbor’s fence to what he has so I can’t make sure I have it too. Don’t you see how small that makes you? How petty you are? How sad of a human being that you are getting upset because the guy next to you has something you don’t! It’s pathetic!
Instead of spending more money on a new instrument panel that works just fine as it is, speak that money on making a better powertrain, suspension, braking, steering, you the things that really matter!
Wow…you seem upset there! Calm down eh.
I, and many others, like the new gauge cluster. You feel free to stick with the old.
As for loyalty….that’s something earned in my book.
And it’s earned by way of options and quality!
Why would you stoop so low as to assume you know anything about my family life? We’re talking about a cars gauge cluster, nothing to do with anyone’s wife or children.
Clearly you lack the ability to be objective and/or the appreciation that other people are entitled to their own preferences.
So I won’t have anything more to say on this as it’s obviously causing you to be unreasonable!
Don’t mind him Ed, I’m going to ban him later today.
Thanks Alex.
Unfortunate he clearly lacks objectivity! And has now stooped to rudeness / bullying behavior.
LOL, you made my day.
“Who cares how anything looks like in a Cadillac, as long as it works”
You probably work for Cadillac in the “design” department.
That would explain all the cheap materials found inside any Cadillac, as long as it “works”, it’s ok.
Never mind design and nice materials in a luxury car, as long as it works, it’s enough.
You explained in 1 post, why Cadillac will never stand a chance against the German luxury leaders, and why Cadillac will never sell in Europe!
The new gauge cluster has very tiny chrome rings around each gauge on the base, luxury and premium luxury models on XT5. I’m pretty content with the gauges currently but am glad Cadillac sees improvement to make them look better.
This “Up-Level” gauge cluster should be made standard on all Cadillacs.
Buick LaCrosse has instrument cluster with the large color center screen, very similar to what is called here “new gauge cluster”. And LaCrosse has it since 2014 model year. More than that, LaCrosse starts from $32 K USD, and any LaCrosse since 2014 has this “advanced” gauge cluster (they actually started to manufacture these 2014 vehicles back in 2013).
So, why Cadillac is still bean countering for 2017 model year, and still uses this “basic” “half moon” cluster for WAY MORE PRICEY and ALL-NEW 2017 XT5, when Buick have been using their version of “advanced” cluster AS STANDARD for pretty much three years already, and on the refresh of the vehicle which dates back to 2010?
These two facts together are looking ridiculous to me.
Unless Scott3 appears to write two pages apology for this in his usual manner.
At times, I think, Cadillac boss is still side-paid by his former employer, Audi, to end up Cadillacs being half-hearted, despite all the bla-bla-bla he’s saying on public.
As a recent XT5 (premium luxury model) purchaser, I would like to state that the standard instrument cluster is dull, uninspired and has extremely poor illumination during daytime driving hours. This is not befitting a luxury model and if Cadillac hopes to gain market share they need to pay more attention to every detail. The standard XT5 cluster is a re-hash of the 2014/16 SRX models and the illumination is dimmer, even at the highest setting. So, is there any way to swap out the standard cluster with the plantinum version?