This Is The 2020 Cadillac CT5: Breaking
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Meet the all-new, 2020 Cadillac CT5. GM’s luxury car brand revealed the all-new sedan in a surprise announcement late Sunday night / early Monday morning. Rather than tell us about the car in its actual announcement, Cadillac decided to instead announce how it will announce the car – via a series of “Sensory Symphony” videos. In other words, treat this as an announcement of an announcement. Nevertheless, there were a few noteworthy elements in the presser. Let’s dive in.
Cadillac says that the platform is “an evolution” of the award-winning RWD/AWD Alpha architecture. We have learned that the architecture is known internally within GM as the Alpha 2 platform. Then there’s the positioning. Though Cadillac doesn’t say it outright, the CT5 is the indirect replacement to the ATS and CTS that will compete in the D-segment against the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Despite having a fast-sloping roof that gives it the appearance of a fastback, the CT5 still features a trunk found in a typical sedan. It’s unclear whether other body variants, like a coupe and convertible, will be offered.
As for the engines, the Cadillac CT5 will be powered by the all-new, turbo-charged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine. A Twin-Turbo 3.0L V6 will be available, though it’s unclear whether the engine will actually be the 3.0L LGW V6 offered in the CT6 or an upgraded version. Notably, the 3.0L TT motor features “unique sound calibrations.” Both CT5 engines will be mated to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission that offers “nearly imperceptible shifts”, according to Caddy.
The Cadillac CT5 will be offered in three trim levels, at least initially: Luxury (base), Premium Luxury, and Sport – thereby giving customers a choice of appearance and ride character. In that regard, the CT5 becomes the fourth Cadillac model to follow the brand’s new Y-trim level strategy. An ultra-high-performance CT5-V model is expected to be offered later on in the model’s lifecycle. It’s unclear whether a CT5 V-Sport will be offered.
In these photos, the grey model is the CT5 Sport, while the one in burgundy is the CT5 Premium Luxury.
Inside, the new Cadillac CT5 features a “driver-centric cockpit” that “blends high tech and high touch for an exceptional blend of control tactility.” Interestingly, no pictures of the actual cockpit were made available in the announcement except for the one below, which shows the rotary controls initially introduced in the refreshed 2019 Cadillac CT6 and all-new 2019 Cadillac XT4.
Finally, Cadillac says that the “CT5 showcases Cadillac’s unique expertise in crafting American performance sedans, with details designed to elevate every drive.”
The new Cadillac CT5 will make its public debut in April at the New York International Auto Show. It will be built at the GM Lansing Grand River plant. The facility received a $211 million investment to build the next-generation Cadillac sedan. The Cadillac Jinqiao plant in Shanghai, China is expected to produce the model for the Chinese market.
And that, ladies and gents, is all that Cadillac shared on the new CT5. As soon as we hear more, we will share it with you right here… so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority (for free) and stay tuned for more CT5 news and Cadillac news coverage.
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I actually like it in the burgundy photos. I think we are so used to the angular Arts and Science of old. The back end is gorgeous.
Also, glad that they didn’t mention of outdated 3.6L V6 engine. But i’m sure they will find a way to implement it somehow.
The present 3.6 V6 was all new in 2016 me thinketh.
I just love it !
The all new same old 3.6 V6 !
You know why GM wants you to think its “ALL NEW” .
Because if you have replaced a timing chain in one, two, or three, you will be very leery of buying another GM vehicle with the same thing.
How ids it all new ?
I believe it was but it is not good enough to go toe to toe with the German 3.0L engines. I mean two of them are Inline as well.
I am so happy Cadillac is dumping the corporate V6 on at least their so called Sport sedans. The CT6 needs to follow suit.
In what way exactly is the LGX 3.6 outdated? Enlighten us
Well for one it is not as smooth as the German 6 Cylinders sooooooo.
If your talking about the inline sixes that is probably so. If your talking about other V6 engines then proof is required. Smoothness and NVH characteristics have little to do with the date the engine was put into production and everything to do with engine mounting, exhaust systems, ancillary device mounting etc. The LGX 3.6 I drove in a current LaCrosse was super smooth and quiet to the point I seldom noticed it. If something needs to be quieter and smoother than this tan you might as well buy an electric car if you don’t want to hear anything. And FYI the LGX 3.6 was introduced in 2016. I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is as i would much rather have a 335 Hp 3.6 LGX than a weak de-tuned wimpy sounding 237 HP LSY 4 banger.
Its just a little weird that after 100+ years we are still talking this engine that engine blah, blah.
It takes X torque.
To get X thrust or “G” force in the seat.
It takes X torque.
To move a X sized and weighted X down the road. (wind resistance, load, Etc.)
Horse Power has NOTHING to do with this.
HP is just the torque number in relationship to the RPM.
Back in the day the V engines of the same cubic inch would keep the torque in a longer RPM range.
So with transmission gearing + differential gearing + and tire size gearing , they were able to accomplish the above feeling.
Inline engines of the same cubic inch always had more torque with less rpm, or its just a combo of stroke and bore, but for less rpm range.
Do to the use of the turbo they can force boost into the engine and increase the torque band over a larger range of rpm.
And now with the 10 speed it just takes a lot out of the equation and keeps the torque on the road.
So I dislike the 2.0T its to small and to little torque, in my opinion.
So I dislike the 3.6 V6 it has little torque at low rpm so to get torque it is screaming.
So if they used the 2.7T like the new truck it has 70 or so more ft lbs torque than the 3.6 at screaming.
So if they use the 3.0tt it has a huge torque band and at a lower rpm.
And also remember the 3.0TT is the SAME engine as the 3.6 with a smaller bore and TT.
But in the US that 2.0T can just go away in my opinion.
Just think of the build quantity of the 2.7T if they used it in all the Cadillacs, Silverado, Colorado, and everywhere they use that 2.0T in the USA.
And the same with the ten speed in all of them.
GM would have a lot snappier product and a lot happier customer and use less fuel overall.
This I agree with. Imo they should replace the 3.6 v6 with either (a) smaller v6 with a single twin scroll turbo, or (b) replace the lgx with the 2.7t. If the 2.7t can get the 5k+ lbs of truck to 60 in 6 seconds imagine what it could do in a car that weighs 2k lbs less. At least in their Cadillac line up, the lgx doesn’t have the tq to be competitive. Hp is fine but without tq it will be slower and feel slower.
I like that the luxury trim has chrome and the sport trim is properly de-chromed. The sport model looks pretty mean from the profile shot. Also making the TTV6 the optional engine is a good move. The N/A V6 just doesn’t move the bar that much over the 4.
To me, this says that the lights are still on at Cadillac. I started wondering after the recent crossover launches — now when do we see the V? and how does AWD fit in? and why wasn’t there a crossover based on this platform?
I am glad .they went with the 3.0 turbo also. But I disagree about the 3.6 not moving the bar much over the 4. The old 4 with about 275 horse perhaps not much,but with the new weak 4 that’s almost 100 hp.
Oh… I didn’t realize this was a downgrade to the weaker 4 from the XT4…
I honestly think GM could do away with the 3.6 V6 and the 2.0T and replace them both with the 2.7T and the 10 speed in most if not all the GM midsized vehicles.
That’s not a bad thought, but not sure the 2.7T is being used outside of trucks.
Too bad the new 2.0T has really dropped in terms of HP well below the competition, while the competitors keep inching up (A4, 330, C-class). Base car is already at a power disadvantage.
On the other hand, the 3.0T might be a bit ahead of the competition at 400+HP if GM doesn’t give that a haircut any time soon. It might also mean no need for a V-Sport except maybe as a suspension/trim upgrade.
The TTV8 V-series is the one I’m most looking forward to.
GM should either have premium lux, sport, and platinum or rename sport to V sport and give it the better engine (and to premium lux), then do a full on V.
Don’t see the point in Sport, V sport, and V as it complicates the model and adds productions costs where it could just be streamlined as noted above. But this GM so we’ll see lol. Either way this is a nice car from what we can see so far
Yes the lsy 2.0t is weaker than the 2.0t ltg but it’s more refined, more economical, and tq comes in much lower in the rev band. Rather than performance they were focusing on refinement, if you look up a review with the Cadillac CT6, equipped with the lsy and 10 spd. Most will say the power isn’t missed. But they have been dating that it’s more refined and power comes in lower.
This is the difference between the ltg and lsy in the CT6.
Ltg:
1) Tq comes in at 2500 rpms
2) 22/30 city/hey
3) propels the CT6 to 60 in about 6.5 secs
Lsy:
1) tq comes in at 1500 rpms
2) 24/34 city/hwy real world driving has seen 39 hwy (cylinder deactivation)
3) is only 1/10 slower to 60 than the ltg
4) refinement, they worked on nvh levels
Ok I would say the LSY is more refined.
But that’s more refined than the LTG. GM.
Not more refined than the competition. ( drive some, we have, don’t trust me )
This is ALWAYS the thing with GM as of late. Well we made that better you should pay more ” its better”.
This is NOT the case.
The competition 2.0T has been “refined”, if that’s what you want to say, for a long time. One could say that the competition was “refined” when first released. We hear all know GM has a terrible time getting anything right out of the box lately. I do think its getting better, do to the constant pressure.
When this car hits the dealer and people can drive it we will see. But it will have to be better than the current ATS with LTG in order to be EQUAL to the competition ” not better “.
With the 10 speed this might be possible.
We will see.
So if it “feels” as good, it will come down to, do you like the design better, and how do you trust the reliability and GM terrible customer experience.
And that’s at an EQUAL price !
This will take TIME. Time to build trust, CUSTOMER relationships.
If Cadillac thinks this thing is the greatest, best thing on the market, time will tell.
I hope it is priced right “out of the box” to make the CUSTOMER think, and the competition think.
I like this car !!
I love it! Like really love it. They finally fixed the rear 3/4 view and the front it just sex.
The front is WAAAAAY better than the XT6. This takes the best of Escala and remains true to Cadillac’s signature Art & Science. I look forward to seeing these approaching at dusk.
… Unlike the XT6, which uses the worst part of the Escala concept and looks like any other CUV with vertical LED foglamps.
I don’t know why the side profile reminds me a little of the Infinity Q50 sedan. I hate the extended chrome notch in the rear quarter panel (window glass ?). Wish that section had the Escala lines; where its almost the same but without the extra chrome bit. Either than that, it has a beautiful solid design. That brings me to the beautiful Escala inspired rear roof line. Good to see there are no fake vents or fake exhaust outlets to be seen; even though these aren’t the range-topping V models. wish the front was more like the Escala, but overall my initial score is 7.5/10. Can’t wait to see the V.
I don’t know why the side profile reminds me a little of the Infinity Q50 sedan. I hate the extended chrome notch in the rear quarter panel (window glass ?). Wish that section had the Escala lines; where its almost the same but without the extra chrome bit. Either than that, it has a beautiful solid design. That brings me to the beautiful Escala inspired rear roof line. Good to see there are no fake vents or fake exhaust outlets to be seen; even though these aren’t the range-topping V models. I wish the front was more like the Escala, but overall my initial score is 7.5/10. Can’t wait to see the V.
Looks very much like an Infinity. The black plug at the C-pillar is especially cheap. Toyota doesn’t even do that. This design is not even in the same league as Lexus.
Agreed, the faux quarter window is chintzy. It would be nice on a Chevy Impala but not on a Caddy. But this is GM, who were recently surprised by the negative reaction when they put a truck front end on the Camaro.
I think the CT5’s greenhouse treatment is even more jarring since the front and rear are so gorgeous. It’s like a different design team did the greenhouse.
Yes! It’s as if Infinity and Cadillac had a love child.
It seems Art & Science is dead, and replaced by Johan’s me too design ethos. Perseonally I much prefer the current model.
Why is Cadillac going curvy as the pack has finally re-discovered squared boxy like Polestar 2.
The opaque black plastic triangle under the C-pillar is very unfortunate. That’s just not acceptable in a 50K+ vehicle, or even a 30K+ vehicle. The headlights are confused, and not nearly as well executed as those on the XT6. It seems like an awkward transition model (think Porsche 968) between the CTS and whatever will be based on the VSS-R platform. I truly want Cadillac to succeed, and their design is still the best at GM (Chevrolet design is an unmitigated disaster at the moment) but I doubt this will sell much better than the CTS. I really hope the coupe in the patent drawing goes into production with a Blackwing.
Black plastic triangle on C-pillar is copy paste from former GM model Opel Insignia/Buick Regal and looks so cheap. No luxury car but cheap Chevy. Car is looks more like chinese crap – less is better. I hope that interior will be better than on spy shots.
Whole car is much better than current CTS. I guess CT5 will be more competitive to against European rivals. Now, they need fair price for it.
Looks like the crybabies have found something to complain and whine about.
Looks great, can’t wait to see it in New York in a few weeks!
I love the nose.
The rest I will reserve comment till I really see it. I suspect the photo like other recent photos just really so not show the true form.
Of recent I found new models tend to always show better in person.
If this is the 3/C class fighter….what’s fighting the 5/E? Is the CT6 going to be downsized with another model lurking in development to take on the 7/S class??
The CT8 is still in the works.
My guess is that the CT6 will be slightly downsized.
My guess is that the CT6 will remain the same size, but still compete with the E Class on price.
I think it already does. In fact the base price of a CT6 is about $3K less than E Class.
They are going back to the roots of the first and second gen CTS. Size will be a segment larger while price will be segment smaller.
Ct4 competes with 1/2 series, a class and a3
CT5 competes with 3/4 series, c class and a4
CT6 competes with 5/6 series, e class and a6
I will wait until I see more photos. Looks like Cadillac design language is changing. The styling is very conservative. I guess with a decline of sales they decided to blend in. I’m sure th driving dynamics will be exceptional. Just not blown away..
Blend in with whom? Everyone else has gone funky.
I guess you haven’t seen a new BMW or Mercedes. Snooze fest. BMW peaked around 2005, Mercedes around 2010.
That’s a beautiful car.
At first I didn’t like that bump in the chrome strip but after looking at a few pics, it’s growing on me. Wish the LED strip connected but that’s not a huge deal. Overall, the car has flow where the CTS didn’t. Front and back ends look really good. I like that not all Caddy’s look the same because it adds variety. If the regular car looks this good the V is going to be one sexy machine
I gotta say, I wrote many critical articles about Cadillacs Art/,Science Design Language in which it was not resonating with consumers, only the V series looked great and that only being the CTS V MODEL. This new CT5 Design Language is a major, major home run. The front end design is smooth, sophisticated and powerful, love the rear end styling.
I love how people are complaining about the c pillar styling and this so called plastic piece, it is comical, you gotta see it in person, there is nothing like this car. It does not look cheap in person and the sport model is down right sinister looking, just wait till the V model hits with over 675hp . Every guy is going to want it.
Cadillac Design has finally hit a DAMMMMM Home Run!!!!! The exhaust execution and lights look great, the interior is seriously stunning and finally at the top in luxury car standards.Bravo Cadillac.
Did you see it in person?
675 hp is your guess or a reality? Damn, 675 hp will be crazy for the D-segment car.
I don’t know if that guy has any inside info or not, but I am guessing that the V will have to be a supercharged version of the 4.2TT V-8. Or at least that’s my hope. I think it is time for the V-Series to get a Cadillac exclusive engine. I know the Corvette engines are more performance oriented and I know that Americans like the idea of a 4-door Corvette, I think the 4.2 is better suited for the luxury market.
I loved the Escala and I love this. Coupla observations.. I see exactly what they did.. but because of size, the design exercise of the longer Escala (2010.5 inch vs this being probably 193-195 inch) could not be completely translated over to a smaller car particularly in profile. I still doubt that the CT5 will be much smaller than the current car with the CT4 still yet to debut. I am betting a longer wheelbase for both, even if the actual length drops a bit.
Anyway,.. The black “faux window in the rear doesn’t even bother me because tinting the car as I always do will make it a moot point. Only real disappointment is the door handles aren’t the hideaway like the Escla.
So cool that they are done with the 3.6L NA in this car and have gone onto feature forced induction as a sole means of propulsion. I am expecting changes in current HP rating from those as well. If the SPORT is available with the 3.0L… outside of an actual V, I see very little reason to break from the “Y” philosophy and offer a V-Sport. What I have noticed Cadillac has done of late with the VSeries program is put them on their website as separate models. Thus allowing them to stick to the Y with Lux, Prem Lux, Platinum cars even in the V
As a current CTS owner I love it.. and look forward to the VSeries debut in a year or so. I’ll be sitting that one out as I want to go into the CT6-V, but curious and excited nonetheless
Chiming in here late.
Focus the interiors, on the entry Cadillacs, to young people. Color options add pizazz to lower trims. And they love standout color. For one small idea: use color grained fiberglass in place of wood from the upper trims. Look up Hogue handgun grips to see what I mean.
They have the best driver’s car chassis. Offer sticks (even for awd) and give the V cars that dual clutch. Make strengths count.
Your posts are so pro-Caddy, I figured there’s a solid chance you’re on their payroll. Since they’ve re-started a pr/marketing push.
The front and back are std Cadillac. The side view made me yawn. Sad but true. The rear window treatment looks like something I would expect on a cheaper compact. The bright spot would appear to be the 3.0TT but as with most other GM entries will probably be only on the costliest versions. The low output LSY will relegate this as an average performer at best unless they somehow manage to get weight down to 3300 LBS or less. Otherwise i’m underwhelmed.
‘The rear window treatment looks like something I would expect on a cheaper compact.’
+100
Immediate disappointment when my eyes caught the faux window treatment happening around the C Pillar. It’s neither stately or sporting; just cheap looking. It’s got most of the Escala design cues but just shorter and stubbier.
I expected a much better exterior revamp but at the very least perhaps I’ll be won over when I see it up close and personal.
Front and rear ends are wins but again that faux window is just hurtful – it doesn’t flow or blend in well.
The psychology for me is that by Cadillac switching its models up so much I can’t get into this car. It (CT5) has no history (3,C, A4, IS) another new Cadillac. Who knows anything about it?
Catera, to CTS, to ATS now this….the CT5
As usual, you are reaching to the sky where your comments does not make any sense. Lets cut out the BS. Everyone on here knows that the CT5 comes from the CTS but will be more of a D segment competitor where the second generation CTS left off. The current CTS is a full E segment competitor that served its purpose well in its segment. Did the current CTS sold well? No but it did and serve its purpose excellently and showed Cadillac had a car that was seriously overlooked and underrated for what it is.
I get where you’re coming from. In an effort to find itself, the brand keeps switching up. All on this forum may know the lineage of this car (Catera, CTS,…) but then it’s safe to say many here a car enthusiasts; the general public isn’t.
Same thing over at Infiniti: What was an M35 or G is now a Q something and on and on… No lineage or history.
JDN should’ve just left well enough alone but hopefully this will be the final change in nomenclature.
The CT and XT naming makes sense to me. Especially since they will/are selling in China and Europe.
What doesn’t or won’t make sense is if the news that they will once again have In-Between Sedan sizes and not Proper 3/A4/C and 5/A6/E Class Sedans is not good. I pray these reports are completely false but I am not holding out hope at all. Just look at the CT6. Great car but nobody is taking it serious in the marketplace. Doesn’t have a Proper position, I mean it foes from like 50K to 100K. That is simply insanity. Base CT6 needs to disappear ASAP to have some kind of shot in the Marketplace.
Despite the price, the CT6 is selling relatively well at least amidst the CUV/SUV craze. Despite what you might think, Cadillac did a proper 3/a4/c and 5/a6/e class cars and look how those turned out. The CT6 sold almost as well as the ATS even though there is a 20k price difference from base model to base model. To me this logic is the right course for now. I do agree that they still need to improve but the direction seems to be the right one for now.
I for one are down for it, tweener, or whatever.
We owned the first gen CTS 2004 and would not and did not replace it with gen 3.
We selected the 2014 ATS and dislike it immensely.
As far as direct foreign naming comparison its whatever the CUSTOMER thinks it is.
I mean the ATS and CTS of gen 3 was smaller than the so called competition.
So what did make them a direct competitor ? a name, a number ?
If this car on the interior feels large as the gen one and two and for us the A4, and the exterior is smaller than the outgoing CTS, its a done deal.
Depending on the price !
Because in our minds we would rather drive a GM product but after 38 years , the last three of which were ZERO CUSTOMER SUPPORT from GM, we are no longer going to pay more for GM and get less than the competition.
That’s an incredibly good looking sedan, especially the front end. It’s hard to stand out in that segment, but I think Cadillac has done it.
Saturn Ion/ design language is back. This design looks cheaper than main german competition. Hatchback is better choice than classical sedan. Remember sexy Escala concept.