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2017 Cadillac CTS vs. 2016 Cadillac CTS: Which Grille Design Do You Prefer?

The 2017 Cadillac CTS brings with it an all-new grille design in the front fascia that adds an horizontal slat (for a total of four), compared to the previous design, which featured three. All things considered, the change is very subtle, so the question now is, which do you like better — the new design, or the outgoing one?

Vote in the poll and then sound off in the comments just below.

2017 Cadillac CTS Sedan 004

2017 Cadillac CTS Sedan

2016 Cadillac CTS Sedan 003

2016 Cadillac CTS Sedan

[nggallery id=752] [nggallery id=840]

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Comments

  1. I say please bring back the wreath!

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    1. Maybe it is my age but I somewhat agree with you.

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  2. Well, neither grille is intrinsically different from the other. Eh! They’r both pretty much equal in my eyes. No matter what: the CTS is still the most handsome Cadillac in the lineup; and is the only Cadillac currently, besides the ATS-V, that’s truly worth its value!

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    1. I disagree! Even though I believe the Cadillac CTS is the best vehicle in it’s segment. I also believe the CT6, with a base price less than $60,000, and tops out at $89,000 , to be an excellent bargain, when compared to the likes of…6 & 7 Series, S Class, A7 & A8, and Lexus LS…….

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      1. You’re right about that. The CT6’s price and content value is quite attractive. It’s just that the CT6 doesn’t appeal to me personally. The reasons why Cadillac chose to offer the CT6 at a significantly lower price point than the competition is illustrated by its shortcomings. The interior quality is good, but a class below other comparable mid-sized to large luxury sedans. (Look at the new E-Class and Genesis G90 sedans for comparison.) And while the handling is very good for its size, the ride quality is said to be quite harsh and unrefined for a luxury flagship.

        I’d rather Cadillac go all-out and build a genuine, S-Class/7-Series/A8 competitive sedan! The CT6’s “straddling between the line” of affordable luxury and prestigious luxury makes it a bit of an unappealing flagship; though its value is good!

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  3. The changes are so subtle, it doesn’t matter for me. I agree with Edward, bring back the wreath!

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  4. It is VERY subtle , like was it worth it to add a bar ? It does help fill in the huge over-all grill opening , it is the poor salesman that is going to have to tell a customer of the ” new ” grill design for ’17 and look at them roll their eyes .
    It is a great car but sales figures are awful , something more needs to happen to prop up sales .

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  5. Sales are so putrid that the only changes that could be cost justified were an extra bar in the grille and tilting the exhaust outlets from horizontal to vertical!

    So sad since this is probably the best vehicle in their lineup.

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    1. So the answer is for Cadillac to sit on their hands and let sales slide even more?

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      1. If you think a bar in the grille or tilt of exhaust surround will juice sales, you will need an extra glass of the kool aid.

        I won’t be taking my 2016 CTS to the dealer to trade sideways–would normally be up. Will once again be another mediocre sales year!

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  6. Looks like an easy retrofit for owners.

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  7. I love the new grill but I HATE the new vertical exhaust!

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  8. I like the egg crate design of the first model year of this gen.

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  9. They are nearly identical, but I like the 2016 version a little better, it looks a little “cleaner” to me. The CTS is definitely a great looking car, if I were buying a Cadillac on looks alone that would be my choice in sedans. The -V grilles do not appeal to me as much, they look ok but the non -V (of both CTS and ATS) look better to me, less generic as everyone else is going to the look of the -V grills. On a related note the new Lincoln Continental is going with the same look as the -V grills, IMO a mistake vs. using the “winged grills” they have had recently. If the Continental is supposed to raise the perception of the brand, why not at least give is a “Lincoln grille”?

    I also wish Cadillac would stick to one grill pattern a little longer, they change so often. And yes bring back the wreath if not the merlettes (I’d kind of like to see the merlettes again, but the design seems a little stodgy with them, compared to without). BMW has had the same basic grill seemingly forever – the “moustache” grill, I don’t particularly love it but it does say “BMW” immediately, which is a good thing for any brand. Cadillac changes the grill too often; I’d say the 2016 CTS/ATS one should be a keeper for a long time, but on they go to new ones. I’m also not fond of the “weeping” headlights of the CT6 and XT5, but it looks like those are already gone as of the Escala (should that concept design result in actual production design trends).

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  10. The 2016 grille has better perportions with the vertical grille bar centered horizontally in the crest. I guess they will put five chrome vertical bars for 2018. The egg crate will return ala Cadillac. I guess the grille change i’s better than nothing at LEAST you can tell what model year the car is.

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  11. Love the 2017 Grille as it looks similar to the gorgeous one on the CT6. As to the Wreath comments.. I have always thought that the wreath was slick.. but it must also be noted that the Cadillac emblem over the last 100+ has changed constantly. The current design actually works

    Reply

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