General Motors has just launched the 2021 Cadillac XT5 and 2021 Cadillac XT6 in China, where the brand’s midsize crossovers are debuting a major technical innovation as a first for the luxury brand worldwide. The Chinese-market 2021 XT5 and 2021 XT6 add a new 48V mild hybrid system with the aim of improving fuel economy and driving performance.
This is the first time that the Cadillac XT5 and XT6 receive an electrified powertrain both in China and in any other international market. The new 48V light hybrid system, developed locally by the SAIC-GM joint venture, works in conjunction with the existing gasoline engine and comes standard on each variant of the crossovers offered in the Asian country.
“The XT5 and XT6 have been very popular and competitive members of their segments since day one through their distinct product strengths,” said Vice President of Cadillac China, Felix Weller, in a statement. “The new 48V mild hybrid system on the XT5 and XT6 is not only highly efficient, but also provides a more enjoyable driving experience that is quieter and smoother especially in stop-and-go traffic. This adds value to our XT5 and XT6 lineups and will further meet the demands of luxury SUV customers in China,” he added.
Specifically, the mild hybrid technology equipping the 2021 Cadillac XT5 and 2021 Cadillac XT6 in the Chinese market is supported by an electric motor and a 48V battery, as well as a power management module and a hybrid control unit. Paired with the well-known 2.0L LSY I-4 turbocharged engine, the new XT5 and XT6 mild hybrids boast a combined peak output of 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
GM claims the 48V mild hybrid system and popular turbocharged engine deliver sharp and efficient performance, allowing for a smoother, quieter and more energetic driving experience. This powertrain, which in both cases is mated to GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission, increases the XT5’s combined city/highway fuel efficiency to 33.6 mpg (up 5 percent) while the XT6’s improves to 32.6 mpg (up 6 percent).
2.0L LSY engine in the Cadillac XT6
The new 2021 Cadillac XT5 and 2021 Cadillac XT6 mild hybrids are available at the brand’s entire dealer network in China starting this week. In addition to the mechanical novelty, the updated crossovers include the next-generation Cadillac User Experience system with a new interface design and more personalized features, a new gold paint color for the XT6 and the latest global torque-based brand nomenclature.
Both models have a range of six versions, starting at CNY 332,700 in the 2021 Cadillac XT5 and CNY 392,700 in the 2021 Cadillac XT6 – about $51,550 and $60,850 respectively at the current exchange rate.
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Comments
5 percent increase in mileage to 33.6 mpg? That’s about an extra 1.5 mpg. Why not put a real hybrid system in? My 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid gets 43 mpg city, thats 65 percent better mileage than the 26 mpg the base 2020 Equinox gets. Mary Barra is doing a terrible job on GMs lineup, only cares about selling pickup trucks anymore. Lifelong GM customer but not anymore. Will not buy one of their cars while she is CEO.
1, it costs essentially free, as you replace the alternator and starter with a larger alternator/motor and the battery with a Lion battery of the same size, so its free to only costing a little more per unit.
2. it improves way more than 5% on city driving. more like 10-25% depending on implimentation, but only improves HWY by 1-2%, so in mixed scenarios, yes, about 5%
3. The New escape is no longer in the same vehicle class as the equinox. Its essentially a “sit up” ford fusion, so yes, your much much much much much more expensive sit up ford fusion will undoubtedly get better mileage than a crossover that rides on the same platform as the previous Buick lacrosse and chevy Impala.
Ed:
You say your Ford gets 43 mpg in city. The figure in the article for the XT5 is listed as 33.6 COMBINED city/hwy. If you’re going to compare them, you should post your vehies combined figure.
If you’re so unhappy with GMs line up do us the courtesy of specifying why. What is so wrong with selling trucks and SUVs ( like yours) ? You own a Ford. What is about their product offerings that are so much better, or even different? GM offers some sedans, something Ford has abandoned. Ford is even more dependent on sales of pickup trucks than either GM or FCA, yet you seem OK with it, judging by your choice of vehicle. Hypocrite much?
Or is it simply that GMs CEO doesn’t have a p***s?
Ed
According to the first thing that popped up when I did a google search.
2021 Ford Escape starts at $24,600 and gets 28city/34 Hwy mpg.
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid starts at $28,200 and gets 44city/37Hwy
The problem is:
if you live in the city, you’re likely to have a short commute. You’re not putting enough miles on your vehicle to justify the increased price.
People with longer commutes. Usually do most of their driving on the highway. Where there’s only a small improvement in gas mileage.
BTW: 2020 US sales
Chevy Equinox – 271,000
Ford Escape – 178,000
Ed
Mention Ford and all the haters come out. I too am a lifelong GM customer remembering my father’s ’62 Belair. I bought a Ford Cmax hybrid and I’m getting 43mpg combined. It’s been the most problem free car I have owned. And less maintenance. We made good choices based on our driving needs.
I hope GM brings this to the USA.
Bolt:
Why?
GM offered a similar system in Chevys and Buicks not long ago and no one bought them. There was a hybrid CT6 too and it was dropped quickly. Same problem. In fact there are 2 BRAND NEW 2018 CT6 hybrids for sale near me. 3 years on the lot waiting for buyers.
the funny thing about this is GM blatantly said a couple years ago that they were not going to make any more hybrids, and jump strait from hybrids to EV’s…… just to show that whatever direction corporate america says its going to take, they will change it on the fly and say anything to get good press and stock market boosts.
Steven:
That announcement was for the American market.
I too would like to see this on every (non-electric) Cadillac in the very near future! So far, the MPG on my CT4 is not bad, but I would love for it to be better. Why couldn’t Cadillac do like Volvo is doing with every one of their vehicles being electrified in some way. In other words, every Volvo will be either the T8 plug in hybrid or the pure electric (Recharge) version. GM and Cadillac, you paying attention?
Now about the looks of these cars in the pics. I absolutely love that goldish tan color of the XT6. And don’t they look so nice with the painted wheel opening moldings? XT4 must take note. Lastly, I just love the interiors on these cars. That wood grain makes that interior pop. So far, my only true gripe about my CT4 is the lack of any wood inside. Not even as an option or accessories.
Is everyone just gonna ignore the awkwardly floating people in those pics? Lol
I kind of thought the same things. A strange pic no doubt.