GM Authority’s sister site, Cadillac Society, got a chance to get up close and personal with the new 2020 Cadillac CT5 at the recent 2019 New York International Auto Show last week.
This allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the luxury sedan’s various features – and that includes its brand new key fob.
The new fob features an entirely new design, replacing the “Crest” key fob that General Motors currently uses across the Cadillac model portfolio.
While quite different in appearance, the functionality of the two fobs is the same, with both featuring five buttons for the door lock, remote start, trunk release, and panic (horn/lights) activation.
A metallic accent frames the buttons on three sides, which is also mirrored on the other side of the fob. A horizontally-mounted Cadillac crest is also pictured on the other side of the fob.
The black material on the fob is a hard plastic that has a different texture to the smoother plastic surface that the outgoing fob had. Like almost every other modern-day key fob, it features a dedicated button to access/release the temporary (spare) key as well, along with a loop for a keychain.
Cadillac’s old key fob was introduced for the 2014 model year. While we liked the look and heavy, high quality feel of the outgoing key fob, it’s hard to compare the two right now, as we didn’t get to sample the new fob for more than a few short seconds in NYC last week. For that reason, we’ll reserve our judgements about which we like more until we can some more time with it.
The 2020 Cadillac CT5, which rides on an evolved version of the Alpha architecture that serves in the Cadillac CTS and ATS, will arrive at dealerships this fall. The sedan will essentially replace both the ATS and CTS, falling in between the two in size, and will be positioned to take on rivals like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for the latest Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac news and GM news coverage.
Source: Cadillac Society
Comments
Nah, better show us the rear console inside of the car. Take a look at that BS.
Cheap as *uck. GM just can’t do everything right. There always will be smth that will ruin a beautiful car.
The only thing I’ve seen in the back seat is a fold down armrest not a console. Not sure what more you want from a fold down armrest.
He is talking about this I guess:
https://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/2020-Cadillac-CT5-Sport-33.jpg?impolicy=modalgallery
And he is 100% right. None of the competitors have smth like that. Cheap and ugly.
100%.
Very basic and very cheap looking.
I didn’t want to believe you; that the photo was from a CT5. But you are correct, sadly.
https://st.motortrend.ca/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/2020-Cadillac-CT5-Sport-32.jpg
That rear console is Mitsubishi level of quality and design. Did GM just forget about it?
GM always forgets about the small details. 🙁
I was hoping that this would change, but nope.. This is a difference between the MB and Cadillac.
I’m not usually one to complain about GM’s “cheapness” because I really don’t mind (at least when it comes to so things).
But this just looks cheaper. The current one not only looks unique, but it actually feels pretty solid. Its heavy, and there’s no plastic; just chrome and rubber. This one also does not have the same unique design, most key fobs now are a boring square, or rounded piece of black plastic. Cadillac is (now was) different. Why fix something that isn’t broken???
Hmm didn’t we see this fob before in the Corvette leaks?
Anyone lust after a Cadillac? Not with these designs. This is made for the Chinese market – blobless – looks like a fat whale from the site. What a joke.
In development of this Caddy CT5 GM saving every penny. They used the same door solution and plastic C-pillar from Opel Insignia/Buick Regal. Escala design is used like some Chinese copy without sense of detail. Liftback style but only sedan, no digital cluster, two knobs, volume and the other one, are horribly placed etc. The last hope for Cadillac is new CT4, Escalade and return of real names.
Wouldn’t hurt to lose the plastic and go with carbon fiber or wood for a classier, refined look. But then, that might be construed as leading . . .
Slow news day when we’re reading about the “new” key fob? haha.
Anyhow. It doesn’t look bad and anything would be better than the ridiculous fob my 2018 Buick Encore has! I can’t carry that thing in my pants pocket without setting off the horn/alarm nearly every time. I can’t tell you how many times getting in the car it goes off all because someone thought it would be a good idea to have the horn button slightly raised and larger than the others. Hmm. I hate my fob. Oh well, this new Caddy fob looks good and doesn’t seem to have the same design issue as mine does.
No Dan. Not a slow news day. No haha. None of that nonsense.
Our mission is to cover anything and everything under the sun related to GM and its products. The key fob, which owners will interact with on a daily basis, is one of those things.
So while you might not care much about the key fob, plenty of other people do… especially potential owners – those who will use the key fob on a daily basis.
You’re welcome for bringing to light a piece of information that nobody else cared enough to notice.
Dang. People on here are so uptight. Smile a little and have some fun with it. It was a joke, but I guess it isn’t being looked at that way.
From the sounds of it, you seem to be quite impressed with this CT5. Below you claim that it “has absolutely the best design and the most presence.”
Is that your opinion or fact? Because it certainly doesn’t seem to be a hit from what I’m reading. The current CTS and CT6 are much better looking cars IMO. But then again, we all have an opinion.
Consider this: to bring you this story, we flew to New York, stayed there for three days, paid the (overpriced) New York hotel rates, ate the (even more overpriced) New York food, flew back, got delayed for half a day (which is besides the point)…
… all to spend one full day with the CT5, interview four directors responsible for the vehicle, interview a few more folks surrounding the program, climb all over the car to fully understand it, then work tirelessly to pump out stories from airports and taxi cabs… all at the full and complete financial expense of GM Authority.
If you did all that, and brought an exclusive story that someone attempted to ridicule as being part of a “slow news day”, the last thing you would be doing is giggling or laughing. If your comment just got to the point about the car’s design, all of this would have been avoided and moot.
So yes, I wear GM Authority on my sleeve, and I’m proud of it. And unlike other representatives of other publications (automotive or otherwise), I get in the comments section and have no problem making my opinion heard, and defending the publication if/when I feel doing so is needed.
As for the CT5: obviously it’s my opinion. I have owned the ATS and CTS, and have spent a cumulative two months with the CT6 since its launch. I have also owned the Audi and BMW models in this segment. So yes, it’s an opinion… from someone who is very familiar with this product and this segment.
From a design standpoint, the CT5 hits it out of the park… and this is coming from someone who was on the fence before seeing it in person. I invite you to to read my reply to Frank below for more anecdotal information that isn’t my opinion.
My comment was a lot more than just a funny remark to try and make someone smile. Unlike a few others on this thread/article, I actually defended it and stated that I think it looks good and seems to be designed much better than my Buick fob. And I can imagine what it does take to create just one article. My point wasn’t to demean anything you (GMA) do. In a world filled with mass violence, Trump and a climate that is in peril, it was nothing more than a chuckle in a world that is not too great at the moment.
My apologies to you in how it was seen.
Dan – I appreciate the response and the candor.
We’d all be better off if there were more stand-up folks like yourself out in the world. Cheers!
Alex
Sorry Alex but a key fob and in this case not even a ground breaking designed key fob really isn’t newsworthy.
Surely prospective owners aren’t in anticipation of the key fob and its design.
At most it would be worth an honorable mention in an overall article about features and accessories for the CT5.
And the outgoing key fob appeared to be a more distinctive and premium item; this one… Meh!
It might not be newsworthy TO YOU. That’s the key word!
Potential owners are in anticipation of anything and everything relevant to their decision. They are buying a car, not a key fob, but the fact that a new car has a new key fob is very much relevant to those who care about it. If you don’t care, then that’s your prerogative… but don’t confuse what’s interesting and newsworthy to you with what may be interesting and newsworthy to others. Don’t speak for the masses, when you are just one.
Then again, here you are – commenting on an article about the key fob that you yourself have deemed not newsworthy. But isn’t it ironic that you are saying something is not newsworthy after reading that not-newsworthy article, reading the comments on that article, and then leaving a comment of your own on that very same, un-newswrothy article? If that’s not the definition of irony, I don’t know what is.
That said, I agree: the old (current) key fob is definitely better than this one.
And likewise Alex, don’t think that because you delivered an article regarding a key fob that it was newsworthy. It is fine if you and others think so, but do know that others don’t.
Ironic it is not. Yes, I read the article. For purpose of clarity, do know that my comment stems more so as a response to your feedback to an earlier chiding from another forum poster. Otherwise left to my own initiative, I wouldn’t have left any comment about the article itself.
GM Authority delivers in the overall though. Thanks and keep the news coming.
THIS CAR ISN’T FOR AMERICANS, IT’S FOR THE CHINESE. SO MOVE ALONG!
Let’s see about that…
Americans complained that the back seat of the ATS is too small. The Chinese did not complain about the back seat of the ATS-L.
So Cadillac increases the size of the entire car with the CT5, back seat included, and you say that the car is for Chinese, and not for Americans.
Double standards for the win!
@Bert the ATS-L had 3+ more inches of legroom over the standard ATS sold here in the states. Many Chinese are chauffeured about.
Looks like I’ll be replacing my 2017 CTS with a CT6 or possibly and Audi or maybe a Genesis G80, when the lease is up. This new CT5 is UGLY and cheap looking. It could be a Chey Cruise. I think Cadillac has shot itself in the foot this time. After 39 years of continuous Cadillac ownership, I may have to jump ship. I can’t drive an UGLY car. Sorry Mr. Carlisle, I just can’t do it.
Some anecdotes that you may find interesting…
I am going to buy something in this segment before the year ends. The CT5 has absolutely the best design and the most presence. I have shown several of my friends (those who are not people) the CT5 and they all have said that it’s a great-looking car… and that they prefer its design over the C Class, 3 Series, and A4. Again, this is from people to whom Cadillac is typically irrelevant.
The ironic thing is that when I ask these people if they would buy a Cadillac or a Mercedes or a BMW, Cadillac is typically not the first or second answer. But then I show them pictures of the CT5 and their jaw drops… and Cadillac suddenly becomes their answer.
Not sure how representative of the whole that is, but I’d bet that this car does very well when it comes to market… despite the initial negativity.
Sorry Alex, I hope you’re right, but I disagree. The car has no swagger !!!
Yeah, I think the CT5 has loads of presence and styling flair… especially compared to the German rivals.
@Frank Ricciardi
+10
CT5 just doesn’t have a cohesive design. Front end is a win but everything aft of the B Pillar is downhill and doesn’t speak premium; more so economy. It’s disjointed at best and lacks presence. And the dashboard with button overkill and that out of place oversized screen.
It’s crazy, Audi comes to market with Haptic Touch Controls and Cadillac retreats.
Cadillac should’ve stuck with the overall CUE design and presentation and just tweak it to address the complaints. Besides it would’ve spoke volumes about the brand’s confidence in its product.
Not a win.
Nothing mentioned on whether the fob is now protected against hacking. Obviously, that is far more important that the button placement and/or texture of the plastic!
Montana Bob
Jus to be clear about this:
1. There isn’t and wasn’t any official information on this. We weren’t even supposed to look at the fob… but rather spied it (which is why no other publication covered it).
2. Given that this isn’t GM’s first rodeo at making keyless/hands-free key fobs, it’s very far-fetched to assume any hacking can take place. When is the last time you have heard about a key fob getting hacked on GM’s product?
Alex, in all due respect, it is common knowledge that the code can easily be copied by a thief with the right device. Go to this website to inform yourself.
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/wrap-your-key-fob-in-aluminum-to-prevent-hacking-070918.html
Montana Bob
I’m aware of what is theoretically possible, but that is vastly different from real-world exploits, which are a grand total of zero.
Alex,
I don’t wish to get into a tête-à-tête about this but to say that this has *never* happened is a bit of a stretch.
Montana Bob
I remain firm that the number of hacked GM wireless key fobs is zero in the real world.
If this were an actual issue, key fobs would be getting hacked, hackers would be entering people’s cars, stealing their belongings, and then driving off with their things. If this were happening, we would be hearing about it in a very big way, and GM would be doing something about it. There would be recalls, TSBs, and actions from the NHTSA, along with various other governmental agencies. GM’s safety department, which is very sensitive following the ignition switch fiasco, would be all over this before NHTSA even notices it. None of these things are happening. None. Not one. Nada.
So again, I remain firm on this being a non-issue… at least at the time I’m writing this. It can surely change in the future, but if it does – it would be a problem that’s not limited to Cadillac or to GM, but to the entire industry as a whole – since all automakers use the same general system for the hopping-code wireless key.
f it ain’t broke, replace it with something else that looks and feels cheap.
Seems like much ado about nothing, except the fellow with Buick fob going of in his pocket that’s terrible! But i must say I do appreciate Mr Luft’s hard work! But not to change the subject this will not be the car for me because as a CDN GM pricing in Canada is just atrocious, my 2015 ATS Coupe Performance model just about loaded except for a sun roof listed at over 63 thousand! Hell my 2019 Vette G S listed at over 98 thousand! I am seriously considering ordering a 2020 Buick Regal Sport Back G S all the way from Germany that’s sad in its self! i DO NOT WANT A SUV/CROSSOVER!
Who is approving these cut back designs?The keyfob too? The ones in GM office clearly are designing cars for themselves. I like sleek and good feel. The chips are small why force a fugly change ?
Hey Alex – I’m an avid reader of GMA but I rarely comment here. Well that’s changing today bc guess what I saw the night of Wednesday, April 17th in Washington DC??
The new 2020 Cadillac CT5. Yes the new CT5 cruising the streets of DC, the day after it made its world debut at the NYC Auto Show.
I had just crossed Pennsylvania Ave in Capital Hill to walk on South Capital St towards the Rumsey Aquatic Center for my swim workout when I spied a set of brilliant blue steely-eyed headlamps and vertical foglamps approaching in the dark at 8:20pm. I knew immediately this was a car I had never seen before because these headlights were so distinctive and new to me as a car enthusiast!
Then this mystery car passed by a streetlamp, illuminating its exterior lines briefly, and that’s when I stopped and stared hard at it….
Wait….whaaaaat…..how can that be….no way….was that really the new 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan passing by me in Capital Hill????
ThIs CT5 I had just seen was the same dark red color in the press photos that Cadillac released online a few weeks prior to the NYC Auto Show.
And the CT5 just made its world debut at the NYC Auto Show the day before I saw it cruising by in DC.
My reaction to those online pictures was “meh” with some negativity, especially the fastback roofline and C-pillar plastic window. Well, the pictures don’t do the CT5 justice. In person, it looks really SHARP and so much bigger than the BMW 3-series.
Then it passed by and made a right turn onto Pennsylvania Ave towards the Capitol Dome. The turn signals flashed red. No Amber directionals like the Escalade darn. But it is a very shapely car especially in the rear.
It’s not the first time I’ve seen prototype and preproduction Cadillacs testing in DC. Also saw the XT5, CT6, XT4, and various Buicks, Chevy’s, and GMCs testing (sometimes under full camouflage) in the nation’s Capital.
Having been a CTS (all 3 generations) and ATS fan from the get-go, every time I look at the CT5, at best I blur my eyes and try to imagine what could have been. Its design has some attractive features but in the overall execution, it is not a particularly good looking car. I don’t see it doing well in the market place if people care about a ride looking good on them.
As well, that sloping roof back is impinging on head room.
I think I keep coming back to multiple online forums including GM Authority, hoping to read that GM has heard the feedback and will delay the CT5 for a design revamp of its exterior aft of the B pillar – that C Pillar is such a flop. But it keeps getting worse, the dashboard is button overkill and looks like unharmonious modules pieced together. And now the key fob; they should’ve left well enough alone.