GM’s Super Cruise technology is a vital differentiator for Cadillac, not only when it comes to the actual feature of the semi-autonomous driving technology, but also as it relates to the brand’s perception in the luxury space. Currently, Super Cruise is only available on the Cadillac CT6 sedan, but the tech will roll out across the Caddy stable. That much we already knew thanks to an official announcement made in 2018. But now, we have a much clearer picture of the Super Cruise launch cadence, thanks to a new report from our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
2020 Cadillac CT5-V
With the Cadillac CT6 already offering Super Cruise, the next model to get the technology will be the 2020 Cadillac CT5, Cadillac’s new D-segment sedan. The new CT5 is set to arrive this fall, but it won’t receive Super Cruise at launch. Instead, the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival will offer Super Cruise later on in the 2020 model year.
2020 Cadillac CT4-V
Following the CT5, the next model to receive Super Cruise will be the 2020 Cadillac CT4, Caddy’s new subcompact (C-segment) sedan. That equips every Cadillac sedan, including the CT6, CT5, and CT4, with Super Cruise, but what about the rest of the lineup?
According to the recent Cadillac Society report, the next-generation Escalade will get Super Cruise after the brand’s various sedan models. The all-new Escalade is set to arrive for the 2021 model year, and it makes a lot of sense for Cadillac’s most high-profile model to get this equally high-profile technology sooner rather than later. By that time, Super Cruise will already have been available in the CT6, CT5, and CT4, giving GM and Cadillac the opportunity to polish it for the range-topping Escalade.
It’s worth noting that we recently spotted a prototype of the current-generation Cadillac Escalade undergoing testing with autonomous hardware mounted on its roof.
2021 Cadillac Escalade prototype
With the Escalade accounted for, all we have left is Cadillac’s various crossover utility vehicles, including the XT4, XT5, and XT6. Hints as to when these models will get Super Cruise can be traced back the debut of the Cadillac XT6 at the 2019 North American International Auto Show, when Cadillac XT6 chief engineer, Joel Hoffman, told Repairer Driven News that the remaining Cadillac lineup would get Super Cruise in 2021.
We are led to believe that 2021 could mean the calendar year, which would result in a 2022 model year rollout.
Cadillac XT4
| Model | Expected Model Year Availability |
|---|---|
| CT6 | Already available (as of 2018 MY) |
| CT5 | Late 2020 |
| CT4 | Late 2020 |
| Escalade | 2021 |
| XT4 | 2021/2022 |
| XT5 | 2021/2022 |
| XT6 | 2021/2022 |
That takes care of Cadillac. Meanwhile, the rest of the GM portfolio will get Super Cruise after 2020, but no details are currently available about which vehicles will be graced with the technology.
Cadillac XT5
For reference, the Cadillac Super Cruise is a Level 2 autonomous driving system and is the first true hands-free autonomous driver assistance feature for freeway motoring. The technology relies on multiple integrated systems, including LiDar, GPS, a driver attention monitor, visual cameras, and radar. Furthermore, Super Cruise requires an active OnStar service plan with emergency services.
Cadillac XT6
Super Cruise is currently available to CT6 owners and comes with 130,000 miles of limited-access freeway functionality throughout North America. An upcoming update will expand the system’s capability by 70,000 miles, bringing the total freeway functionality to over 200,000 miles. However, a recent study stated that many don’t understand the limitations of SuperCruise, along with the competing Tesla AutoPilot system.
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Source: Cadillac Society
Comments
I have a memory of Mary announcing that XT6 would have super cruise at launch.
XT6 is 2020 (probably 2021 MY)
Should have maybe switched their strategy from sedans to CUVs first.
I don’t pretend to be a car executive, but why the long drawn-out process for something that already exists?
If it’s good enough for the CT6 now, why wait? If it upgrades later, than fine. But that feature alone not being
provided now on ALL models, may indeed result in losing sales.
I don’t think Cadillac is in the position to lose more market share.
Baffling…
Very fair and I agree…However, was reported on GMA and other outlets of the flaws so perhaps it was worth the wait…
“direct sunlight in the driver-facing infrared sensor can cause the system to deactivate”, “drivers who wear polarized sunglasses preventing the infrared sensor from tracking their eye movements” and “deactivation when lane markings are obscured, either due to snow, dirt, or poor road conditions”…Regardless the good news is GM says they’re on improvements…
You’re right…it does seem like a long time to implement an existing technology, but it only ‘exists’ as integrated with the CT6.
Keep in mind that Super Cruise is an elaborate combination of hardware and software, which needs to be adapted specifically for each model, and integrated with existing (multiple combinations of) systems. The CT6 (Omega), CT4/5 (Alpha), new Escalade (T1XX), XT4 (E2XX), and XT5/6 (C2XX) are all on different platforms with unique electrical architectures, bodywork, and manufacturing limitations. Software will need to be revised and optimal sensor placement needs to be determined/engineered. And finally, testing, testing, testing… All of that work needs to be done by a set deadline to be given a green light for production, or else it has to default to the following year.
The delayed implementation in the CUVs could be a matter of priorities, or budget limitations. If they’re aiming to have SC in the 2021 models, the deadline is surely less than a year from now. I could speculate that GM feels the addition of optional SC to the CUVs would have the least positive impact on total sales/profits, vs. Escalade where it *needs* to be there as a premium feature & to help justify the MSRP; Cadillac’s ‘flagship technology’ sure as hell better be available on the flagship vehicle! The higher-end, premium CT4/5s will need SC available promptly to help bolster their premium perceptions and price tags.
Great points by both, God/Bacardi and Eric.
I’m wondering how Tesla is able to apply Autopilot to all 3 of their vehicles right at launch time?
I understand it’s a different system, so does that make it easier to adapt and “fit” their 3 different models?
Plus, I’m sure it will also be available on the Model Y from the get-go.
I haven’t researched either to better understand their differences, (mainly because I’m a driver and have no desire to be shuttled around by software) so I’m not qualified to speak on the issue, but am interested
to listen to other’s more educated take on this.
It’s easier for Tesla when Autopilot is standard equipment on all their models. When you pay extra for ‘full self-driving capability’, it’s my understanding that the upgrade is purely software-enabled (hence the ability to upgrade at a later date). The hardware required is engineered, designed, and built-in from the beginning. I wouldn’t be surprised if all the Tesla cars share the same software – effectively a computer operating system.
Cadillac, on the other hand, has a range of optional equipment. You can have rear parking sensors, but none in the front. You might have a forward-facing camera as part of the lane-departure warning system, but no forward radar for the optional adaptive cruise control. Rear cross traffic alert may not be present, so those sensors would be missing. Even if you have the full adaptive cruise control (ACC) package, the sensor array required for Super Cruise probably exceeds what’s included with ACC. Then you have multiple infotainment systems, with and w/out navigation, and all on varied electrical architectures.
It’s overly-simplified, but in some ways it feels like a Mac (Tesla) vs. PC (GM) comparison. I occasionally enjoy the ACC on my ATS, but like you, a fully automated driving experience will never be on my shopping list! 😉
Eric, thanks for the well thought out, informed, and helpful response.
I guess taking baby steps, regardless of the “why” or “how” the systems work, is the responsible route to take.
At least Super Cruise hasn’t killed anyone yet. At least not to my knowledge. And that’s a good thing!
The photo of the CT5 is awesome. That thing would be sex on wheels if it wasn’t orange.
…and how do you think they make baby oranges?
They don’t just grow on trees, you know.
One would think that the best selling of the fleet would get integration of the Super Cruise first as this would give more feedback for computer engineers to find errors and improve the overall system, offering the Super Cruise on slow selling vehicles doesn’t help the system mature faster.
For me, the same perceived value as stop/start functionality. Don’t need it, don’t want it, wouldn’t buy it.