Cadillac CT5 Interior Spied For The Very First Time
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Behold the very first photos of the Cadillac CT5 interior. Caught by our photographer while the vehicle was undergoing validation testing in Metro Detroit, the photo gives us our very first look at the cabin of the future Cadillac sedan.
If the layout of the center stack seems familiar, it’s because it’s very similar to that of the 2019 Cadillac XT4. The center stack begins with a large display with a glossy black bezel. It is immediately followed by the hazard light control, which is in turn followed by a set of horizontal air vents. The vents are followed by two levels of horizontally-placed HVAC controls. The rest of the center stack is covered by a black tarp that hides the other Cadillac CT5 interior pieces rather well.
We’ve agonized over those two strange-looking rotary buttons below the screen, and have come to the conclusion that they are for testing purposes, and will probably not make it to the production model. Our money is on the CT5 getting the two rotary controls (one for navigating the system and the other for controlling system volume) on the center console, aft of the shifter. As such, the controls below the screen on this CT5 prototype model are likely present so that engineers don’t have to remove the covers from the center console area, thereby preventing our sleuthy spies from capturing more of the cabin.
For comparison’s sake, the center stack of the 2019 Cadillac XT4
Rotary controls on 2019 Cadillac XT4 located on the center console
Speaking of the shifter, a digital shifter is present and accounted for on this latest Cadillac CT5 prototype. Curiously, however, it’s not the same unit as on the 2019 Cadillac CT6 or the 2019 XT4.
Other notable items that can be seen are push-button start along with a partial view of the gauge cluster. We believe the model we’re looking at is a base model given its analog gauges, which also seem quite similar to those found on the new XT4.
About Cadillac CT5
The CT5 is a new luxury sedan from GM's Cadillac brand. The model will replace both the ATS and CTS Sedans in the future Cadillac product portfolio. The vehicle will be larger than the ATS yet slightly smaller than the CTS, and positioned as a D-segment offering that's slightly larger than the BMW 3/4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class segment stalwarts.
The traditional four-door sedan body styles for the CT5 is a shoe-in. A two-door coupe is possible. A convertible is less of a possibility, and a wagon is out of the question thanks to consumers' ongoing love affair with crossovers.
The CT5 rides on an updated version of the GM Alpha platform dubbed internally as Alpha 2. It will be powered by the following engines:
- New turbo-charged 2.0L LSY I-4 TriPower as the base engine making around 250 horsepower
- Twin-turbocharged 3.0L LGW V-6 making over 400 horsepower
An ultra-high-performance CT5-V model is expected, but it's currently unknown which engine it will use. Two possibilities include the twin-turbo 4.2L LTA V8 or the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8.
All engines will be mated to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Cadillac CT5 will launch in North America in the third or fourth quarter of the 2019 calendar year as a 2020 model year. A China launch is expected to take place in the second or third quarter of 2019.
The CT5 will be built at the following plants:
- GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan to supply America, Korea, Europe and the Middle East
- Jinqiao Cadillac plant in China to supply China and Russia
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I hoped for more Escala than I’m seeing here.
Finally they started putting Ipads in the dashboard. I was hoping they gonna do that.
Escala on the outside, Kermit the Frog in blackface on the inside.
Woooooooow what a let down. Not because I can tell if it is top notch quality or anything like that but because it looks absolutely nothing like the Escala. Extremely Disheartening to say the least. That Escala Screen setup would have Finally placed Cadillac on the same level as Mercedes.
I just do not understand why Cadillac does Concept cars and then do nothing remotely close to them. Put me down as disappointed. I realty thought the Escala interior screen setup was going to be the future of Cadillac.
Who told u this would get an “Escala” interior?
Want to see Escala theme? Then u will have to wait for the Escalade.
This is very good interior compared to the rivals. 3, a4…
Uuuuuum Johan did. When they showed the Escala concept. He said those screens were the future, Now we know why Johan left. GM Bean counters at it again.
But he didn’t state what car they would be on, but I get it, if this car DID have the Escala interior, then you would be throwing a little girl hissy fit that they’re “wasting the Escala interior on a lower end car”
I’ve read your posts, its wash, rinse and repeat with your bs, if the Cadillac made the door handles out of diamonds, you would complain that they karat count wasn’t high enough……..
Don’t worry, we will get the Escala screens in the Escalade. It is already ready 🙂
Escalade will be fisrt. Don’t expect them in the XT6. Escalade +
Of course. Why would GM be like other Tier One Luxury makers that do not differentiate their product strictly by class. Cadillac I fear may never become the player in the Marker they deserve to be.
A Class ( a car that starts at 30K) was first to get the all new Mercedes User Interface.
Series has better Tech than the one year old 5 Series. GM will just never learn I guess.
It better have a digital gage cluster. The 1988 Eldorado and Seville had a better dash than this.
“The 1988 Eldorado and Seville had a better dash than this.”
The dash is more than half covered. How could you possibly know that?
Oy. This dash is literally the least appealing of all the luxury brands. It looks more chevy than caddy. Check out the new Merc, Audi, Alfa, Volvo, BMW. All look more exclusive. Not a great sign. I hope they at least put a new engine and a DCT to make this competitive.
Have you sat in the XT4? It’s definitely anything but “least appealing”.
Least Appealing?!!? have u seen almost any of the new Benz sedans? I don’t even know if Mercedes equips their cars with screens any more, Looks more like they just stuck an I-Pad in its place at the dealership.
BTW that is a “Home” button, If you look closely the Hazards are lower down with the CC.
Cadillac needs to have interior LED lighting on all their new cars going forward as many luxury cars are having them. I think BMW does an excellent job with this.
Yes! And it should be customizable colors and themes too. Even non-luxury brands are offering customizable interior light now.
Who downvoted you both? Its a great idea and the addition of cost for the manufacturer is virtually zero, while making the vehicle way more personable for the buyer.
Holding judgement until we see the actual production model, but right now my reaction is meh. I haven’t had the chance to sit in the XT4 and see how it actually feels, but the design and pictures don’t necessarily impress me, though I have heard good things about it.
The CT5 looks to have a bigger screen, much more like the 10 inch unit in the Bolt and CT6. I’m not a fan of the plastic paddle shifters, as the current CTS metal paddle shifters stand out and have a solid feel.
As others have said, I think they missed a chance to catch up with BMW and Mercedes by not using the layout we saw in the Escala. Let’s hope for the best though.
Ok… I’m out of this waiting game. Ciao Cadillac.
K’ bye thanks.
(shh…..let me tell you a secret……..no one cares)
I’ll bet GM cares. If not today wait a couple years.
From the pictures of seen of the XT4 and from what I’m seeing here, I would be hard pressed to describe what I’m seeing as luxurious. It leans more towards sporty from what I can tell, and Acura-sporty at that.
Cadillac seems intent on firmly positioning themselves at the middle of the pack. : (
Personally I wouldn’t say it is sporty. Sporty to me is what the current gen interior in the Alpha Romeo Giulia. If my current ride was a Chrysler 300 then this interior seems very impressive. IDK it just seems very bland but like everyone else I’ll reserve judgement until I can sit in one.
I personally like the interior design and layout of the XT4, but I admit that I’m also a little disappointed in Cadillac using it as the potential standard of all their models to come out! As others are pointing out, the Escala concept interior design is simply not seen as much as it should! And for them to debut their current design scheme with an entry-level model automatically reduces the appeal of the of other models to come! Hopefully we’ll see be differentiation from model to model going forward!
Wait wait guys. This not Johan’a car. Wait for the ct7089 . It is his first car lmfao hahaha
Okay as long as those rotary dials are moved, it’ll be pretty nice. And as long as they cover all the plastic in leather.
I spy a Panoramic roof. I swear if the next Escalade doesn’t finally get one ….
I’ll hold final judgement until I see the compete package in production form. One thing bothers me though, those giant screen bezels! Why can’t the auto industry learn a positive thing or two from the mobile industry.
I want to really like Cadillac. I would like to really buy a Cadillac. Why can’t Cadillac just build a car that (a) looks good and (b) has an amazing dashboard an interior? I’ll reserve judgement until the car is revealed but I looked at the XT4 last weekend out of curiosity and the interior was a mess, no full digital gauge cluster and just felt cheap.
Amen. Me too
I so wanted Cadillac to take my money after seeing that Escala interior. I thought Johan nailed it. But we all see how that all turned out. I think what most are missing here is that nobody is saying that this interior isn’t nice, it just absolutely doesn’t move the needle for Cadillac. And that’s what Cadillac desperately needed.
Everyones’ opinion is subjective based upon various factors but exaggerate much!!??
After recently sitting in the XT4 and XT5, one can’t truly exit the vehicles and say they feel cheap. They’re executed quite well but I will admit they’re not jaw dropping.
As for the MB reference, don’t let the brand name distort your judgement people. The interior looks much better in pictures. But up close and in person, the dashboard with its mini flatscreen tv and sweeping all in one design is not impressive in looks or tactile feel.
I am not discussing design here at all. But have you ever set in and or driven a BMW X3 compared the the XT5? There is zero comparison. It is as if these two companies are playing a completely different Game altogether. I never once said the XT4 or the XT5 interiors are cheap, just not anywhere near the Big Three from Germany. Not one person (who isn’t completely GM Biased) can argue otherwise.
I mean a $33,000 Base Volvo XC40 Comes with a Completely Digital Instrument Cluster and a 10 inch Infotainment system and offers just as nice of an interior as the XT4 does.
Have you seen the new Audi Q3 by any chance?
Do you think the new Mercedes GLA/B whatever they will call it now will not leapfrog the XT4?
Cadillac needed to completely leapfrog the competition not merely reach their level. This is what is the main problem. The XT4 gets up to almost 60K. You’re telling me that just Instrument Cluster and that Infotainment system alone are worthy of a car at that price?
Completely agree. My Father’s 1985 Seville back in the day had a better interior with a full digital cluster.
The new Instrument Cluster in the Xt4 in Base Guise is unacceptable for a Luxury vehicle. The higher trim version is barely good enough. I mean how in the World did Cadillac not just go ALL DIGITAL after the last five years or so of being the laughing stock in the Industry for their last attempt. It is Mind Boggling to say the least. I think what GM has been doing to Cadillac is a Disgrace. Cadillac deserves better.
Johan was 100% correct in wanting Cadillac to have it’s own autonomy within GM. Just like Audi does within VW. But we all know that the Bean Counters were never going to completely allow that to ever happen. It really is too bad. Cadillac is not that far off.
They need to rid themselves of the Corporate 3.6 V6 as they have the Cadillac specific 3.0TT.
The all new 2.0T hopefully can make different HP numbers to be able to compete in its intended segments. And they now have the 4.2TT V8.
All they needed was Top Notch Interior Quality and Top End Technology to play in the Big Leagues once again. But we can see here that GM did not allow this to happen. It will be almost Criminal if these upcoming Cadillac cars are released with the 3.6 V6 in the engine Bays but we all know Deep Down inside that they will. GM Bean Counters just cannot help themselves.
I still do not understand the Engine Strategy of teh CT6. Like why two V6 engines? Is GM really that Cheap that they refuse to scale up the production of teh 3.0TT for their Cadillac Brand which if successful, will bring a ton of cash in profits to the company. I just do not understand this.
2.0T
3.6 V (Why GM?)
3.0TT
4.2TT
My dream about beautiful new Cadillac design line inspired by Escala is gone. This interior looks cheap like base model from Chevrolet.
My dream about beautiful new Cadillac design line inspired by Escala is gone. This interior looks cheap like base model from Chevrolet. New BMW 3 or MB C looks much more better.
It left with Johan. Nothing but bean counters left at Cadillac. Ask yourself what will be sitting in Cadillac showrooms a year from now. The CT4, CT5, CT6, XT4, XT5, XT6, and Escalade. What a line-up. No Coupes, no convertibles, no Sport Wagon, no V Sport, one V, the CT6, priced at about $110,000-$115,000+.
They killed the XT8 because they (the bean conters) said it would be cost prohibitive. How cost prohibitive is it to have spent billions to develop a chassis, the Omega, and then only use it on ONE vehicle.
MB has Coupes, convertibles, wagons, SUV/CUV’s, AMG variants, and…sedans for every class. So does BMW with a 1 Series thru an 8 Series, with a PHEV 2 passenger Coupe, and a new 9 Series sedan coming soon coming soon, Audi has quite a variety also. and Lexus has a striking LS 500 Coupe.
As stockholder in GM I have been begging, demanding, and bugging Cadillac for a high end Coupe (Elmiraj) but none is on the horizon. I’m 74, how much more driving time do I have.
I currently have a ’18 CT6 Platinum, ’17 CTS-V, ’16 Escalade Platinum, ’17 C7 ZO6, and, ’11C6 ZR1. I’m looking forward to my C8, but NOTHING coming from Cadillac lights my fire with the exception of the new 4.2 TT V8, but I do not like the ’19 CT 6 rear, or front, especially those BMW copy cat tailights in the trunk lid.
Cadillac’s vision for the future left with Johan sadly…..
Oh, and the XT4, and XT5 look cheap and lower class. All that damn, cheap plastic wrapped around the lower part of the vehicle, and front and back as well as the wheel openings. In a luxury SUV/CUV everything should be body color. This is true for the cars too……
Just when I think the commenters on here couldn’t get any dumber, they just continue to exceed expectations.
I’m sorry you thought the car that is replacing the ATS was going to have the dashboard that the flasgship concept car had, I know this has rocked your little mind, but relax, its all going to be ok.
Guess you’ll just have to hang on to that Cavalier a little long until something that meets your lofty needs comes along……
A Mercedes A Class which is lower than the ATS has the completely new User Interface for the whole Mercedes Brand. But yeah it’s us that are crazy. The New 3 Series has a better interior than the pricier 5 Series. Cadillac will obviously never attain Tier 1 Luxury Status because they don’t chose to spend the money to get there. It’s a shame.
ITT: A bunch of people judging an interior with 70% covered, have never sat in an XT4, nor updated CT6, whining about the interior not being extremely Escala-esque.
Grow up. This car will be on par or will edge out its competitors.
HA HA. I Have done better! I have driven both the XT4 and 2019 CT6. BULL. The interior sucks. Get into the 2019, A6, A7, or A8. Far better materials than newly 2019 CT6. Hell the 5 & E. Looks and center console, the window switches, the door locks, the weight of the HVAC controls, the bottons on the steering wheel, in those cars everything feels and looks high end materials. Even the door locks say high quality in the Audi, BMW, MB, Lexus. I can send you pictures. The XT4 is okay. but compared to interiors of its competition it sucks. This CT5 interior sucks. It looks awful from what I and many others can see. The BMW 5 and E have been on the mkt for two years and still looks and it made a 1k better. Have you been in the Volvo S90? Hell my 2015 Lexus GS F Sport looks better than this.
Cadillac step it up. I want to love Cadillac but this is awful.
I won’t say that the CT6 sucks but I do agree that is doesn’t come close to the MB/Audi/BMW competition. Why is it so hard for everyone here to acknowledge that maybe just maybe GM isn’t willing to pay up to play in that top echelon market and they are content in trying to carve out a niche that is definitely below the German Three but above Acura/Lincoln. I disagree with that strategy obviously but GM just isn’t willing to play the long pricey game with Cadillac. I mean we are about to see a 75K Lamdda CUV soon. Have you guys seen the new X5/GLE by any chance?
Cadillac cannot compete. I hope I am wrong but we all know deep down inside that I am not wrong.
I Agree Ha Ha, I have also been in both. My question to you Geoff have you been in the others. My opinion is the Audi A4 has them beat. We have an ATS now just waiting on the CT5 so we can truly drive it before buying my first ever non GM product . An Audi. And I have owned 6 Cadillac.
Alex, you should through up some pics of the A4, 3 series, and A Class interiors for comparison. If people think this looks bad but the Bimmer or the Audi don’t then they need their eyes checked. All have the “tacked on ipad” look but Cadillac is clearly the most minimal and well-designed of the three. I like Mercedes but it looks very polarizing.
Cadillac needs to get back to being itself – forget the Europhiles, they will always take points away for Cadillac not being MB or BMW. I only bought a Benz when Cadillac make the ridiculous decision to make the gen III CTS way too long (only in the exterior) to compete with a 5-series, and the ATS too small to compete with the OUTGOING 3-series. The tweener dimensions of the gen II CTS, that was ridiculed by car mags…is what the germans wound up copying for the F90 BMW and 2015 c-class. Hopefully the lesson is learned by Cadillac…BE YOURSELF!!!
If this car has similar dimensions of the gen II CTS, just made with lighter alloy…it will be a hit and I’ll gladly switch back!!!!!
Perhaps the two round knobs adjust the screen itself, such as on/off, tilt, brightness, contrast, etc. They don’t look temporary to me but look to be part of the design.
Interior has a standard-issue GM look. It’d be nice if GM would develop a unique interior personality or style for each brand and especially for Cadillac which should have more avant garde look and use better materials than their other brands. BMW AG has done this with MINI, BMW, and Rolls Royce. The three of them are worlds apart in terms of style and feel even though they do share some componentry. I’ve given up on hoping GM will ever get it right at Cadillac though.
I agree. The dash definitely contours around the knobs. The placement makes them seem tacked on but I’m afraid it’s just poor design.
They’re placed to be convenient for the driver. You’ll just have to deal with the asymmetry.
My tuner knob is too far for comfort, but it looks nice.
I see a light color on the lower door, but I’ll bet most of the interior (besides the seats) will be black, as in the XT4. To me, color is where the accountants are hurting Cadillac the most (after the rubbery plastic steering wheel hub).