2019 Cadillac XT4 Shows Off In 2018 Oscars Ad: Video
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Cadillac will mark its return to the Oscars with a new round of advertisements at the 90th Academy Awards, and one of them gives us our first look at the 2019 Cadillac XT4 crossover.
The ad is dedicated to the 2019 XT4 and shows various angles of the new compact-luxury crossover in shady environments to hide the final design until later this month. The vehicle will debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
We can definitely see an evolution of Cadillac’s design language on display with the XT4, though the vertical headlights stick around. They do take on a slightly different look from the mid-size XT5 with a continuous LED accent running down the front fascia. The new grille design is also easy to spot, which ditches the horizontal bars for a mesh look taken from the Escala concept.
The rear is the biggest departure from current Cadillac designs. Instead of the chunkier vertical taillights, the XT4 boasts thin LED units that run from the top of the roof and across the tailgate in a fluid shape.
Cadillac didn’t show off the interior of the XT4 in ad spot, but spy shots show the luxury brand has re-embraced buttons with the CUE system.
Overall, the ad proclaims the XT4 isn’t a simple rehash of another idea, likening many vehicles to “sequels.” Instead, the brand pegs the XT4 as a fresh take on the luxury-crossover segment. The overall aura is much more upbeat and spunky compared to previous ads from the brand that have taken a serious tone, especially at the Oscars.
The XT4 is the first new vehicle to be launched entirely under Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac’s President. We’ll certainly see more of the crossover in the weeks leading up to its debut late this month.
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So it basically will look like a smaller yet sharper XT5. The headlights pretty much look the same and the taillights do look unique. The only Escala look that i can see from these limited shots is maybe the Grill. Looks promising. Cadillac needs this thing to be on fire when it goes on sale.
Do they really? Does Cadillac really want to be defined by a FWD, transverse-mounted engine box on wheels? Is that how the brand wants to be perceived? They will be if it’s “on fire” when it launches.
I get your point though. Cadillac desperately needs a home run again and the brand needs sales but I’d much prefer the home run to be something more unique and glamorous than a little runabout like this. Does Buick want any mention of their name to conjure up the stubby Encore or the beautiful Avenir? I say the latter. As much as I think Escalade is merely a Tahoe in a tux, it’s a big ostentatious vehicle much like Cadillacs of the past and serves as a better mental image for the brand than XT4 will.
Again, I get your point and I know you weren’t saying that it needs to become the quintessential Cadillac but if its sells in big numbers, I’m not sure that’s good for Cadillac in the long run just as too many low-brow CLA’s aren’t good for Mercedes’ prestige and long-term health.
you can make an FWD based crossover look good, you can make it reliable, and you can give it some good driving dynamics. There is nothing wrong with this approach. the SRX went out selling well, and the XT5 is their best selling vehicle and its based on a FWD platform. it makes no sense that selling a lot of these will be bad for Cadillac. most people who shop these crossovers don’t even know what wheels are driving it. Cadillac is not only entering a new segment they never played in but they are introducing a new design language outside and in along with debuting some new powertrains. there is a lot riding on this vehicle and it will say a lot about what the future products will be like. this is just a piece of what’s to come but its a product that needed to be done and done asap.
Cadillac will have rear-drive crossovers with longitudinal engines with the next generations of these models and the VSS-R platform set.
Exactly. The crossovers will bring in some much needed funding for Cadillac’s R&D
While I hope this is true, I doubt GM bean counters will allow Cadillac that kind of R&D money. Maybe on CUV’s larger than XT5. Let’s not all forget that the Porsche Macan is FWD based yet every car publication says the driving dynamics are by far best in class. if Porsche can pull this off why can’t Cadillac. Highly doubting the driving dynamics in thebXT4 will be anywhere near the Macan but one can only dream.
I like what I see so far. The DRLs don’t look short and frumpy which is something I don’t like about the XT5. This has better proportion
XT5 slightly more small…………
I`m expected a thing that looks like Escala…..
In Black is very beautiful
I looked at the video and froze several frames. Looks like headlights have a horizontal portion to them, along with the vertical drop. It looks very good.
Tail lights looks good but I’m not sure about them running up along the side of the rear window. I know the Escalade has this feature, but I felt the LED bulbs along the rear window seems too bright when braking, for those following behind the vehicle. If they were toned down a bit, I think the looks would be nicer.
The design cues might look familiar but I really like the profile has more of a muscular look rather then a chubby look if he XT5, the sharp angles look really good.
On a side note I really like this new ad hope this is the direction of the new marketing rather then a car driving through New York with a piano playing. I miss the Led Zeppelin commercials
It’s tough to fully judge until we get clear photos later this month, but I think there is more Escala influence than people realize. I would not call this a smaller XT5. The shape might look similar to XT5, but the details are Escala. From Escala we see much more horizontal, squinty headlights, a more upright, mesh grill, aggressive air intakes and hood creases. The only thing tying this back to XT5 is the light blade stretching from the top of the hood, then down the front. Even that now incorporates a horizontal LED blade over the top of the headlight unit to create more of a Y shape with all the LEDs. The rear end reminds me a lot of the new Volvos, which isn’t a bad thing. Overall, I think we are in for a much more aggressive, sexy CUV compared to the frumpy SRX and XT5.
Well you don’t judge a burger by the wrapper especially when it is not clearly seen.
Yes the vehicle has a Cadillac image look but the real telling points will be the details here. Whats it look like un obscured? How well is the interior designed and the quality of materials?
Driving dynamics? is this going to handle and drive. What kind of power does it have and did they do better than a Nox drive line.
I have high hopes for the new Cadillac’s but I am also holding them to high expectations too. I do not expect them to out sell the other leaders with one new vehicle but I am looking for the signs that they finally are being let to do what they can do best if unencumbered by GM management.
I am sure there will be enough to like or hate for everyone but the key is to see the progress on the details we have cut short on in the past. While this is based on the same platform as the Nox and Terrain did they give me enough change and added content to make me step up or even draw me from another brand.
Too many years we have had Custom high content Chevys claiming to be a Cadillac. I know JDM knows better than to do this but was he able to do this with out being held back?
Dynamics, attention to detail, Quality and focus on all of these will be important. Years ago we bought Cadillac’s as they gave us more and better of everything. Have they captured this again. We will find out in NYC.
A small XT5. Nothing new here.
Probably a big seller.
You must have vision the rest of us lack. Congratulations.
I like what they did with the light elements up front, taillights looks cool, hopefully they are executed better than the Honda CRV & without looking like a Volvo ripoff.
I liked what I saw so far, but I’ll withhold final judgment until I see the whole car.
For the love of God Cadillac offer more than three interior colors
Rumor is that it will have a Super Cruise option.
This will print money for Cadillac.
From the theme of the video ad and the design it hints at, dare I say, the XT4 has a more sensuous, even “sexy” look. The Art and Science design was edgier with sharp angles and creases, IMHO. We need to see the whole package, but from what I’ve seen in this teaser video, it’s an eye-catching design.
Blah blah sequels bit…but check out those Volvo XC tail lights! Talk about where have I seen that before…
Yep, and who had them First…The Pontiac Transport which is a GM vehicle, so I guess that saying “Imitation Is the Highest Form of Flattery” is alive and well, Stay in your lane if you not sure of what you know… ?
The newdude is new. Lets cut him some slack 😉
Yes, newdude has no memory or knowledge of the origins of the automobile and its features. We all know that over 90% of the features of any new vehicle were created first on an U.S. The rest of the world copies them cheaper to sell in the U.S.
Really neat ad spot. I’m not a crossover fan, but the XT5 is a smash success for Cadillac. The XT4 will probably be as well.
A lot of people are excited by this car even if the enthusiasts aren’t.
Being an owner of a XT5 I personally don’t see much comparison to XT4 . Bhats the one thing I don’t really like on my XT5 is the grill , looks like an after thought . This grill if done in a piano black will look very nice , and it looks like it is .
The headlamp design is close to other Cadillacs but that is part of the family image right now . And the taillamps are fresh and surely do not look like they copied anyone elses design . Even down to the creases in the hood give it a more athletic look , remember this is a softening of A&S and the sheet metal doesn’t look to have sharp edges or the chiseled nose of the SRX .
We also don’t know what model this is , is it a Platinum or Base etc . People that dont like buttons won’t like the interior but it shows that Cadillac has heard from the public and some editorial journalists to please give us a couple of buttons .
Also is it true that Cadillac will not call this new infotainment system CUE anymore ? I read that somewhere . New name , new system .
Plus that seat design look like it has a bit of Escala’s design to it too .
The music in the commercial is right on as to get the attention of a younger demographic , a plus . But we are just going to have to wait until the reveal as this is just a teaser and it has gotten attention . There are alot more details that are needed , fit n finish and quality of the switch gear is important . I hope the interior fixtures are not shared by any other GM model , that would be a mistake . That is another thing I don’t care for about my XT5 , it has the same gauge cluster that my SRX had , that is a bean counter mistake , that shouldn’t happen when you are replacing an older model .
From what I can see, that doesn’t look like a NEW design language. The key elements of the current design, the vertical lighting, crisp edges and angular nature appear to all still be intact. I never thought Cadillac needed a new suite of design elements so I’m fine with that. My concern is with proportions and stance that come from using FWD corporate platforms. To my eyes, Cadillac’s current Art and Science design theme looks excellent on the nicely proportioned CT6 but not so good on the awkward XTS. It seems XT4 will suffer from the same FWD malady although crossovers by nature never have the long-hooded elegance of a sedan/coupe so FWD won’t have as much adverse impact here. XT4 looks to be another decent looking FWD box, among the many out there, albeit with Cadillac design elements. Not much more to say.
I do think the ads are much improved with a more energetic vibe. Cadillac needs to really run them though. I loved that Edith Piaf ad that launched the Dare Greatly campaign but I only saw it run a few times. To re-launch a brand, there needs to be a media saturation level sufficient to sear a new image into the public consciousness and push out the old imagery.
I’m going to dare greatly and say it will look pretty nice.
I am so confused by the XT4. Some publications keep stating that this is an X1 size vehicle (which it looks to be to my eye) but then some publications keep stating it i sX3 size (which to my eye it doe snot seem that big) I know Alex keeps saying X3 as well. Guess we have to wait until the end of the month.
Looks X1 to me too. Very bob-tailed and smallish.
Agreed. The new X3 is pretty big.
Since the XT4 is built on the E2 architecture, I expect the overall length to be about 182-185 inches which I think compares well to the X3, Q3, etc.
I would jump on it… But knowing that the design language will be changed significantly in the coming years makes me say no. I think id prefer the Escala front lights set up. But who knows. Guess ill see when they show it off.
Love the off white seats. Let’s hope that some color will return to future car interiors