Cadillac CT5 Features All-New Door Handle Design: Video
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These days, the average passenger vehicle has only a few bits and pieces that drivers and passengers physically touch on a regular basis. The door handles are one of these bits and pieces, and although they might not seem like a big deal, the way they feel and operate can make a big impact. With that in mind, the all-new 2020 Cadillac CT5 includes a noteworthy update to the door handle design that’s worthy of further examination.
GM Authority’s Alex Luft recently tried out the new door handles firsthand, and walked away feeling impressed by the way in which the handles operated, as well as the way they felt.
The door handle on the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is all-new for GM as well as the Cadillac brand. Essentially, the handles have a slim rubber “trigger” located on the backside of the handle. To open the door, drivers and passengers simply grab the handle and squeeze the rubber trigger. The handle itself doesn’t physically move, unlike traditional handles which typically move out towards the person operating them.
The new Cadillac CT5 door handles work in conjunction with the vehicle’s keyless entry system: drivers simply need to have the new key fob on their person, then squeeze the trigger on the handle to unlock and open the door.
Another cool little detail we noticed is the small Cadillac badge located on the corner of the door handle. It’s pretty minor, but definitely appreciated by those customers that look for the little stuff.
We’ve documented our experience with the new Cadillac CT5 door handles in a brief video, as originally presented by our sister publication, Cadillac Society. Hit play to see the handles in action. Also, listen for the solid “katunk” sound the door makes when closed. This sound is another fine detail worked into the CT5, and we think it lends the new sedan additional premium connotations.
For reference, the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is the brand’s latest compact, D-segment four-door sedan that indirectly replaces the Cadillac CTS and ATS sedans. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series. Under the hood, the Cadillac CT5 is offered with either the turbocharged 2.0L inline four-cylinder LSY engine making 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (in 350T models) or the optional twin-turbo 3.0L V6 making 355 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque (for 550T models). Routing power to the ground is the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission on both engine choices, with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive on offer.
The CT5 line also includes the go-faster CT5-V, which is equipped with the same turbocharged 3.0L V6 as the 550T model. It routes its 355 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque through the same 10-speed automatic, but features Magnetic Ride Control and other sport-oriented suspension components. Above the standard CT5-V is the range-topping “next-level” CT5-V, which will offer more power and capability. That model is expected to debut later in the CT5’s product lifecycle.
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I like that they kept the slim light strip. It gives a very premium feel at night.
What a great way to differentiate CT5 from Nissan Maxima: Advantage Cadillac!
But does the passenger mirror auto-dim? Lol
There’s absolutely no incentive for anyone to buy this given that it has the same top engine in the CT4-V and if you want more rear passenger legroom, the Cadillac XT5 with it’s 3.6L V6 would offer just a 20 hp difference than the 355 hp which means sales for the new CT5 can be sluggish unless the top tier CT5-V gets a Blackwing variant of some type.
No, it has the 3.0TT V6. The CT4-V has the 2.7T four banger from Chevy trucks, because of course a sport luxury sedan should have a rough and coarse truck engine.
Door handle is exactly why we needs this new Caddy. Nobody cares about fake plastic C-pillar windows and generic interior.
Bob Lutz was right – Ford has passed GM in design. Boring, crap, derivative – pick your adjective. Even Ram has turned GM powerhouse into a distant 3rd. You think they would have figured it out by now – not with Bara on board – who wouldn’t know design if you threw a rock at her.
Jonathan (or whomever wrote this article). I read the article and watched the short video. The handles seem nice. You mention the tiny Cadillac logo on each handle, but it sounds as if it’s just for show.
My thought is that if you put just a little pressure on that logo, it will lock the doors. Is that correct? Kind of like the button on each of my Buick’s doors can be pushed to lock the doors. Also Volvo is similar with a little “indentation” on each handle in which you can touch to lock. Is that the case with this new CT5 handle?
Dan – we got the same question on Cadillac Society. The answer is that I’m not sure whether the crest on the handle has any function… but I assume it does lock the car.
When I was checking this out on the CT5, the car didn’t have the key fob with the vehicle. Instead, it was in the demo-accessory mode, which made any interactive function/feature unusable.
So, I reached out to Cadillac for an answer. Two people didn’t know. Currently waiting for an answer… but it might be a while due to the two-week-long break the company typically takes during this period.
Thanks Alex. I’m near certain it’s for locking and kind of a nice way to do it: “Cadillac Style”!!
Think the “logo” is to protect the part from being replaced by knock-off reproductions.
You guys are all about scorning the nice detailed touches too, huh? What a shame. The interior is better than the competition here. The exterior is subjective but will appeal to many. And the door handles are cool. Learn to appreciate instead of critiquing for no fu$$ing reason.
I like this interior but how is it better than the BMW 3 Series interior?
The New Mercedes C Class is right around the corner too. Lets see how this interior holds up. I mean it doesn’t even offer a full digital gauge cluster display.
Amazing how most new designs shown here are panned by the in house critics till they actually see one in person.
I recall the hate on the CT6 now he same folks praise it.
Looks like mark finally got his door handles he wanted for the CT6 and was refused.
Door handles are critical as it is the first place a buyer touches. Cadillac should have better than parts bin Chevy handles.
Why don’t you shut up, who put YOU in charge? These comments are opinions and yours is worth as little as anyone else’s… you’re a blow hard like Joe “gaffe-master-big mouth” Biden.
The previous handles were really lovely IMO and I’ll bet these are nice too, but GM is cheap and I suspect the others were to expensive and these are $ saving. The rubber will likely wear out in 5 years…
Nice. It really is all about the little details that matter to most. And, the big details as well, to those that choose to care and understand the difference between-a fancy door handle- and every material and design component, including, class-leading engine choices.
Be the best, or settle for less. It’s a long way to the top.
But, a door handle is a drop in the proverbial bucket list.
Everyone here knows , from the concepts over the last few years, there is a great opportunity to bring Caddy back from the brink of the grave.
I’m a fan. I wish only for someone to grow a pair, and implement the passion to be the best. Wtf are you waiting for?
Genesis, by, Hyundai, is stomping on you. That’s right. Doesn’t anyone at GM see this?
Genesis hahahahaha
Bulls Eye… the Koreans are serious GM is lazy and cheap… and stupid… a furiously serious GM would be powerful force… I’d love to see that but not with the Obama appointed CEO at the helm. She has got to be fired!
Agree. The powerhouse of yesteryear, is a shell of its former self. Not a POWERHOUSE now, just a follower, cheap cost-cutting, misguided train wreck.
The newcomers smell blood, while GM hides in the soon to fall ivory tower, counting old money. All the while pretending to be “ moving forward” and leading edge.
They haven’t led in anything except performance cars from Chevy and Cadillac. I respect that, and wish more effort and passion tricked down to their mainstream offerings.
Even so, the performance vehicles still had cost-cutting applied.
I realize the business is changing fast and all bases need to be covered. I’m a GM fan since day one, but I don’t honor their “just get by” methods over the last 40 years.
Why do you think they needed a bailout? One word…Greed.
To bad they missed the big detail – says he as he admires the New Altima design by Cadillac.
CT4 (which is redesigned ATS with its old technology, less space inside – but more elegant- outdated – interior and more ugly front and back) use the same door handle as old ATS. It looks like both cars came from a different eras and companies. Design is not united. Why? It is about saving money.
How do you get into the car with a dead battery (key fob or car)?
Most cars have either a visible key hole on the door handle or a hidden one. If hidden, you would normally pull the drivers door handle out to expose the key hole. All key fobs have some type of built-in key that can be taken out to unlock the car.
I just can’t get past that C pillar.
Although this handle is new to Cadillac, my 2008 Corvette door handle operates the same way. Old technology applied to a new car.
My newest Cadillac has a tiny thumb button as does my wife’s new Terrain Denali. I still prefer the handles on my previous Cadillac, a 2008 STS, where you just grab and pull the handle. If you had the fob in your pocket, the door opened; if you didn’t, the door did not open. No buttons to tap, no rubber thingy to garb, just an elegant system. The onlyt thing better would be for the door to simply open as you approached; of course, some folks in high crime areas might be uncomfortable with this concept, but not me!
How is this different from the Lincoln Continental’s e-latch that’s been on the market a few years now? It seems the same to me; just a copy of that but without the solid look and design elegance found on the Lincoln.
Did someone say this is an industry first? Go ahead and reply… I’ll wait.
Mere frippery.
Cadillac need new engines. The Blackwing is a good start, now they need a smooth twin turbo V6 to use as the next engine up from the 2.0T LSY. Older twin turbo sixes I’ve tried in Cadillacs were not up to the same NVH standards of those from German and Japanese manufacturers.