The next-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class will launch in the United States in early 2022, challenging the Cadillac CT5 in the compact luxury sedan.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 2.5 inches longer than the current model and around half an inch wider, though also 0.4 inches lower. All the interior dimensions have been increased by up to one inch except the front legroom, which remains the same as before.
These differences are too small to affect the size comparison between the C-Class and the CT5 to any great extent. The Cadillac is still the larger vehicle overall, with less front and rear headroom than the Mercedes, but more legroom and almost exactly the same amount of shoulder room.
Internationally, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available at first with a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder engines – a 1.5-liter gasoline in two power outputs for the C 180 and C 200, a 2.0-liter gasoline for the C 300, and a 2.0-liter diesel for the C 220 d and C 300 d. The 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission is standard in every case. Plug-in hybrid models will follow, and we can also expect high-performance AMG versions at a later date.
The only version so far announced for sale in the U.S. is the C 300. On its own, the car’s engine produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, but an integrated starter-generator (ISG) can contribute a further 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque for short periods.
The closest match to the C 300’s powerplant in the CT5 line-up is the 2.0L I4 LSY engine, which produces 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Until the AMG variants appear, there are no direct equivalents to the 2022 CT5-V and 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, and even the twin-turbo 3.0L V6 LGY engine, rated at 335 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque as fitted as an option in the CT5 Premium Luxury, is not comparable.
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available with rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Other features include the second-generation Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) infotainment system, over-the-air (OTA) software updates and a more interactive version of the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant. U.S. pricing has yet to be announced.
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Comments
More of a CT4 competition in reality. If any Cadillac has an ’90s boom box interior like this the trolls would call for its assassination instantly.
LOL – I am loving the 90’s boom box reference. Hilarious
Rival to Cadillac? Sorry, Mercedes is the dominant player in this segment. Cadillac will always attempt to rival Mercedes and fail.
Yep. Nice and cramped and crowded footwells, all for the sake of a center console the size of a young chest freezer. For what?
That interior is horrific. The tacked on screens look like an afterthought. The seats sure don’t look like real leather. And what’s with all the shiny gray finish on the center console?
In foreign markets, the C class is gets a 1.5 L engine? The complainers here whine endlessly about the 2.0 L in the CT5 to be underwhelming. Maybe someday the critics will realize just how nice Cadillac’s are.
The old 265 HP 2.0 is a blast to drive. Then new weaker 2.0, from 265 hp to 252 hp to now 237 hp, is totally forgettable. a joke………
If you reversed the badges, they’d love the Caddie. Many can’t see beyond the badge.
Grizz,
There is some truth to your statement, although it’s a smaller population than you think. Although, for the Germans the quality of the product brings buyers back and that’s why MB and BMW dominate. All of their cars lease better than Caddy, another problem. That’s how the Germans get their return customers.
Cadillac suffers from poor quality and aesthetic perception. The consumer at large has a harder time relating to the Cadillac ethos. Their view of Cadillac in terms of it’s prestige and quality are ambiguous at best. Even if some Cadillac models are higher in reliablility, Cadillac can’t break through that barrier.
Design a car with an aesthetic quality that people “have to have”. Build the quality in the product. Sell the product at a price that meets demand so you don’t have to discount. Watch sales accelerate. Sales allow the car to lease better. Better leasing in turn yields more sales.
It’s SO UGLY ✋🏼 😭
What has happened to Mercedes. They used to make beautiful exteriors and interiors. Exteriors went first and now the interiors.
Pass.
Mr. Mike: You are totally correct. Depending on how far you go back, I think MB really had some fantastic interiors. I had a 1969 230S sedan that had such a simple but elegant interior. No woodwork, but it still looked great. I also had a 1989 E300 sedan with a very elegant interior. That one had wood and looked better to me. But this is not even close to elegant.
1969 and 1989? That’s your reference?
WTH: Your point? The 69 and 89 were MB cars that I owned personally and so yes, I can recall back to those cars and how well the interiors were. Then you look at the picture of this new C-class and it looks more fitting to a Kia. So how about this? I currently own a 2020 Cadillac CT4 and the interior on my car is superior to this. Better?
Mercedes has better interiors than Cadillac across the board among other things. A lot has changed since 1989. I actually like this interior, although this model is also aimed at younger buyers than say the S-Class. The S and E class cars out class Cadillac. In fairness to Cadillac they don’t make an S Class equivalent.
Bashing Mercedes doesn’t make Cadillac better. And no, this is not fit for a KIA. Have you seen the new interiors on Hyundai and Kia though? They’re much better than GM products. The quality of materials in Mercedes is simply better including their leather. Not to mention when you drive an MB and then drive a Caddy, it’s not even close.
GM is selling a brand (Cadillac) at a given price to appeal to a large market (and failing-3rd to last in segment). It’s an accounting model. MB builds vehicles to a given quality standard without compromise and price them accordingly. They have a built a reputation as such. It’s like buying a Rolex vs. a Seiko or H&K vs a HIgh Point.
That’s why the accounting model of blowing products through a pipe and seeing what comes out the other end will never be superior to companies who have a specific focus and purpose. The End.
WTH, go ahead and sell yourself on all that. I’ve owned MB in the past. I’ve owned Jaguars in the past. I’ve sold nearly every brand available (either new or mostly used). I’ve owned numerous Cadillac’s over the years. I’ve owned Lincoln’s in the past. I’ve owned Buick’s (many of them) in the past. I’ve owned several Kia’s in the past. I currently own a Cadillac CT4. I’m not just using talking points here. I’m using real world experience and most from working in dealerships.
I’ll put any Cadillac against anything from the Europeans or Japanese. In terms of value, the Cadillac is better. Reliability, Cadillac is better or comparable at worst. Cost of ownership, Cadillac is far better. Of course, interior and exterior styling is subjective and each person has things they do and don’t like. For me, this new C-class interior is not even something I’d accept in a base Kia. You obviously like it. To each their own, right? But don’t try to pitch MB as some god of cars. They are not.
Cost of ownership is not “far better.” BMW has much higher residuals than Cadillac. Cadillac not even in the top 10. Look that one up (Autobytel). The question you continually fail to address is why is Cadillac getting trounced by their German counterparts and by the market in total? It’s not even close. 2019 sales (statista) In thousands:
325k BMW
316 MB
298 Lexus
224 Audi
223 Tesla
157 Acura
156 Cadillac
117 Infiniti
112 Lincoln
The combined market prefers something other than Cadillac. If you don’t think that’s a problem, I have swamp land in Florida I can sell you.
In general MB is a better car than Cadillac. I wish it were not true. I’m no hater but GM has learned nothing.
WTH, you seem to equate higher sales as being the tell all to the story. Would I like to see Cadillac selling more vehicles? Yes, but it’s not the full story. For years, Cadillac was the top in luxury brand sales, and what did it get them? For the last 10+ years, MB and BMW have become the whores in the market and will do anything to get someone into a seat. This dilutes the brands and creates a watered down ownership experience of that brand. Don’t believe me? Give it a few more years where those two brands keep selling so many vehicles with so many different models, and the prestige of those brands will diminish even more than it already has.
When it comes to cost of ownership, the Cadillac will be much lower than those two brands. This isn’t new. In the past, they have been very expensive to maintain and that hasn’t changed. This is a big part of why the Japanese luxury brands came out so strong: Because they had (past tense) so much lower costs of ownership than the German/British brands. But those days are also gone. I will never forget the customer I was speaking with one day on the lot who pulled up in a fairly new MB. In speaking with him, I asked him how he liked his Benz and his exact statement was “it’s the best car I’ve ever owned, but I’ll never buy another one”. Of course, this peaked my interest and I asked him why. His answer? The car cost him way to much to maintain and he was tired of the cost.
Finally, just take a look at things like C.R. and JDP. Of course we all know C.R. is totally bias towards Japanese brands and Cadillac could do better. But my point is that you say MB is a better car than Cadillac. The facts just don’t show that.
1. Cost of ownership is resale value, not maintenance. BMW leads the pack in cost of ownership. Cadillacs are worth scrap metal after 4 years, so it doesn’t matter how much an oil filter costs when your car is worthless. People own or lease the vehicles through warranty expiration. Get it? Then they buy a new one. The higher residual value allows BMW to offer favorable leasing ( a smaller amount to finance=lower payments). This is called simple math.
2.Higher sales is the tell all story. The Germans are winning i.e. making money and taking the market share. This is referred to as “business.” Yes they will do what is necessary to get people in their seats, like design desirable vehicles. That’s the whole point of business, to make money and they are winning.
3. If higher sales yields dilution of the brand then why have they been beating Cadillac for decades and continuing to grow? Where is Cadillac’s brand? Is it diluted? No, it can’t be diluted when it doesn’t exist. luxury car buyers do not desire Cadillac, the sales figures prove it. Hence, Cadillac is losing. This is easy isn’t it?
4. Your anecdotal story of a BMW owner is meaningless. People who buy those cars don’t care about maintenance costs, when they are covered under warranty. And when the warranty expires, they lease a new one.
5. In conclusion, Cadillacs are not favored by the market, as demonstrated by thier sales figures, and they have poor resale value. Poor resale value means GM can’t be competitive in selling leases because the residuals are low because resale is poor, therefore there is more to finance for the owner. Higher leasing costs means lower sales. In turn they will lose.
Until Cadillac makes cars that people want the Germans will continue to dominate. The German cars have an aesthetic appeal that Cadillacs don’t.
It’s game, set, match for Cadillac. Boop!
I can’t dumb this down any further.
WHT: Wow. Your ignorance in this subject has shown itself on this comment. Are you in the car business? Have you ever been in the car business? What is your experience in this industry? On our numbered points:
1. Cost of ownership has to do with everything related to the driving of a car. Insurance. Fuel costs. Out of pocket costs. Maintenance. etc. Yes, resale value does play a part in that, but it’s far from the only piece of the puzzle. The rest of your #1 is just un-proven ramble. BTW, the brands themselves have a large part of setting residual values and the money factor. If they choose to set the RV higher in order to drive payments down (thus putting more people in seats), that doesn’t relate directly to what the car will be truly worth at the end of lease.
2. Under your logic, let’s play a math game. According to you, if brand A sells 300,000 vehicles with a profit of $5,000 per unit and brand B sells 150,000 vehicles with a profit of $11,000 per unit, which brand is more profitable? Your logic is off because you simple think that more sales automatically means more profit. I don’t know what MB or Cadillac’s profits are, but my point is simply that your logic is wrong.
3. I have no idea what you are even saying here. Again, simple logic is this. If you drive your prices down allowing a lot more people in the seats, then the brand will not be special. I am good friends with a broker who drives a rather expensive BMW. Yet every time we do a delivery together and he gives me a ride back, he constantly complains about the “wanta-be’s” in all the garbage 1, 2 and 3 series BMW’s. This is NOT from me, but from the owner/driver of a higher end BMW and he’s in the business. Bottom line is when you try to sell to everyone, you drive the brand image down.
4. Your are 100% wrong in several ways. First, my true story was a MB driver and not BMW. Second, I’ve been in the auto business for nearly 19 years now. When you say they don’t care about the cost, you are absolutely wrong.
5. This appears to be your opinion and not factual. The rest is just whatever.
The facts show MB is better because they out sell Cadillac 2 to 1. Drive an MB for yourself. And if you’re honest, you’ll notice the difference tha MB is all around better.
Simple went out the window long ago for all manufacturers. I am FAR from a BMW fan, but they had some of the best ergonomics around back in the 1980s.
Mercedes has adopted the soft design language to appeal to more people. Gone are the days of a nice clean masculine design. Now we are presented with the playdough cotton soft design language. Genesis is what MB used to be.
dblezy
That’s not funny. Princess Diana died in a Mercedes. Making comparisons to Tiger Woods’ accident in a Genesis GV80 is in poor taste.
They go back and forth and yes you’re observation is true. They want more female buyers. Even BMW softened their design and they we’re the ultimate in masculinity. They’re now transgender.
Have yall ever thought that yall like the old MB interiors because you too are now OLD?
Younger buyers love interiors like this.
Stop complaining grandpa.
ACCad: Yall youngsters have enough money to buy these? So unless yall are the only ones buying these cars, then best you understand that it doesn’t matter if young or old or anywhere in between. It’s the buyers who will ultimately determine the success. Plus, not all “younger buyers” love interiors like this. Not everyone wants tablets super glued all over the dash.
Guestt and GMC Fan: You took the words out of my mouth. I don’t mind the outside so much, but that interior is so ugly, only a mother could love it. This would never (ever) come close to replacing my CT4. Cadillac is still going to have trouble selling sedans compared to this, but only because you have wienies out there who wouldn’t dream of driving a quality American brand. You could put wheels, an engine and a German/Japanese emblem on a turd, and people would buy it just because of that. Too bad.
Dan Berning
Since 2014 BMW, Mercedes and Lexus’ U.S. sales are all down 20%. Even as they’ve all been bringing in more low end models into the U.S. market.
This matters because the U.S. is a HUGE source of profits for all 3 companies.
Peter G:
That’s very interesting.
I’m curious: When you say their sales are down 20%, do you mean the full-line or just the sedans?
Megeebee
Full-line
If you remember in 2014 BMW, Lexus and Mercedes where all trying to be America’s best selling luxury brand. They all ended with ~345,000 in sales
Last year’s U.S. sales where:
BMW 278,000
Lexus 275,000
Mercedes 274,000 (not counting vans)
Just counting cars 2020 U.S. sales where:
BMW 110,000
Mercedes 70,000
Lexus 68,000
Peter G: Thanks for those numbers. That’s the kind of thing I’d hope we would see from the writers on this site.
Last year was 2020. What are you talking about, Peter G.?
BMW leads the luxury market segment with Mercedes number 2. Even if they are down, that just means the overall market has declined. Stats available on statista dot com. Cadillac is third to last in this segment only ahead of Infiniti and the always insufferable Lincoln. How embarrassing for GM and Cadillac. Cadillac is outsold by the combined market 1.3 million vehicles to their 150 thousand vehicles annually. Discraceful. 1.3 million people are saying no no no, a thousand no’s to their offering.
WTH: Great. Thanks for your wisdom. Do you belong to an uppity European site? Maybe you should try it.
It’s called analysis. Facts don’t lie. Cadillac is in the back of the pack.
Neither vehicle excites me. I like the Benz face and rear better, but the both suck compared to the previous generation.
I loved CTS and the previous C-Class took a chunk out of BMW. In my view Cadillac needs a new head designer, and I even hate the EV.
As it stand Genesis, BMW, Acura, and Alfa have the most to gain while Cadillac stalls out.
Ugly car in ugly color. Does MB consider this a CT5 competitor or does Cadillac with its STUPID tweener thing consider it that??????
Mercedes-Benz didn’t even almost think of the CT5 at all. Cadillacs compete with Buicks and Lincolns, not Mercedes/BMW/Audi.
“Mercedes-Benz didn’t even almost think of the CT5 at all. Cadillacs compete with Buicks and Lincolns, not Mercedes/BMW/Audi.”
Wrong again. I challenge you to look at the cross-sale reports and Polk data, even for the last quarter of 2020. Cadillac is very much in the running with the German three. Don’t make up random facts to support a false claim.
Bud, read the facts on statista. MB and BMW dominate Cadillac. Cadillac is 3rd to last in annual sales. MB and BMW buyers don’t consider Cadillac as an option. How do I know? I’m one of them. Ask a BMW owner yourself. People who buy Cadillacs are GM employees, people who own lower makes who want to upgrade and those unfamiliar with German cars or prefer American brands. They’ve never walked into a BMW showroom. I guarantee it. Facts are stubborn things aren’t they Alex?
Ah, and there it goes. WTH is one of the elites that own a MB or BMW. Should have known by the things you write.
WTH – I’ll dissect your flawed comment one by one.
1. “Bud, read the facts on statista. MB and BMW dominate Cadillac. Cadillac is 3rd to last in annual sales.”
I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. I’ve been obsessively covering this industry for a decade. We have the sales comparison of the entire segment right here on GM Authority. Have a gander for yourself, bud:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/12/cadillac-ct5-sales-numbers-figures-results-third-quarter-q3-2020/
Yes, Mercedes and BMW dominate this segment. No one is arguing that. Does it actually mean that the product is better? I’m not so sure. Keep in mind that you’re talking to a guy who sold his SL AMG for a Corvette, and had two ATSes before the SL.
2. “People who buy Cadillacs are GM employees, people who own lower makes who want to upgrade and those unfamiliar with German cars or prefer American brands.
Hilarious. Please provide data or source to back up your claim. I’ll make it easy for you: you won’t be able to. Not a single data source validates your claim.
A falsis principiis proficisci.
3. “They’ve never walked into a BMW showroom. I guarantee it.”
Well since you guarantee it, then it must be true!
But your guarantee is worth jack $hit. I am literally looking at Polk consideration and cross sale data right now, which proves you completely wrong.
Bud – I do hope you enjoy your overpriced and underpowered status mobile called BMW, with its skinny tires and no personality. I’ll take the CT5, with its athletic stance and ventilated seats any day of the way. Ironically, ventilated seats are not offered, even as an option, on the “luxurious” 3 Series.
You brought up facts but provided conjecture, false conjecture at that. Wanna try again?
Alex, I grabbed your goat. Good. “Does it actually mean the product is better?” If you want to make “better” a subjective word than nobody will agree what is better. However, the industry has two objective metrics to guide themselves by: Annual sales numbers and market share. The sales numbers over the years demonstrate MB is better. It’s my opinion MB cars are designed, engineered, feel and drive better. How’s that XT6 doing? Where’s the CT6?
All the car mags have been saying this for decades in their reviews. Ask Car&Driver about BMW. Are they biased? Of course they are, they’re biased towards cars they believe are “better”, otherwise we wouldn’t have a “Ten Best List” every year.
My comment on BMW buyers is purely anecdotal, I’ll admit through my experience as a former M3 and E350 owner. Considering a Cadillac doesn’t mean walking in a dealer. In my conversations, German owners don’t “consider” Cadillacs.
In Detroit Cadillacs are all over the road (through the help of industry employees-with GMS discounts). So confirmation bias leads people to think that Cadillacs are better. Out West, where I live and and work, Cadillacs are like an Eagle sighting compared to the competition, except for Escalades. The problem for Cadillac is they are near dead last in the market.
Cadillac has a brand and image problem. Their portfolio is smaller, and the objective standard (not conjecture) of sales shows that consumers overwhelmingly prefer six other brands. Running the “ring” in Germany to prove you are better than the benchmark 3 series has not translated to better sales. Not to mention their upper managment turnover. Dumpster fire.
They need to forget about the “ring” and design and build more desirable cars so they can be “better.” Build Cadillacs not me too Germans. The XC90 does not try to be German. Look at those sales figures. Yeah, I saw your hyperlink, it merely proved my point.
Sales numbers are not false conjecture. You’re covering the industry for a decade is about when Cadillac started making better cars. Why don’t you ask Mary Barra at the next press event-When will Cadillac win and lead the market?
WHT: So a couple things I’ve picked up on now. First, as I should have known, you not only are a German brand snob, but you also live “out West”, which leads me to believe you are one of the many who blend in while driving your German brands. I live in LA area and out here MB and BMW’s are as common as Chevy’s and Fords in the mid-west. The difference is that Chevy and Ford are common brands that are meant to be sold in high numbers. I proudly stand out in LA while driving my Cadillac and I’m quite pleased that I’m not grouped into the same “class” as the massive number of MB and BMW drivers.
When you say ‘In my conversations, German owners don’t “consider” Cadillacs.’, this is the first thing you and I actually agree on. This is exactly why I’ve been beating the drums for years about Cadillac not chasing the German brands. It doesn’t matter how good the car is, how good a deal is, how sporty the car is or anything else. There is an inherent part of these import snobs that will never allow them to purchase a Cadillac or even an American brand. So why keep chasing them? This is where Cadillac lost it’s mojo and sales went down as they attempted to be what people like you will never want and failed to continue being what traditional Cadillac people loved. But bottom line is that sales do NOT give the full story about profits and Cadillac should stay true to it’s heritage.
That’s what I’ve been saying for several posts. Is anybody listening? Anyway you slice it, Cadillac is 3rd to dead last in sales. If you think sales don’t matter, GM management would highly disagree. They would give anything to take the top spot. I’ve said repeatedly, Cadillac should stop trying to be like the 3 German car companies and be themselves. You finally get it Dan. You and Alex are taking this personally. Don’t.
Now, get back to delivering vehicles in Culver City and stop posting.
Haha. WTH, is that supposed to give me chills? You are such a d-bag. Above you once again throw your ignorance into the faces of all to see when you still can’t grasp the simple math of being number one does NOT mean squat. Do you really think that if GM wanted to re-take number one spot in luxury sales that they couldn’t do so? They were there for many years and it got them nothing more than bragging rights for those years. So I guess I understand why you think so much of that as you probably walk around LA Fitness bragging to all who will listen about the German Luxury Sports car you drive. All while looking at yourself in the mirrors. It’s people like you who make me dislike LA and California in general.
I’m not a big fan of the interior except that the center-mounted display does seem to have a better placement than the current trend of “floating” it vertically on the IP. I laughed at the “80s boom box” reference. That hadn’t occurred to me, but it’s spot-on.
MB has said that it would be too much work to engineer their new i6 to fit in this c-class. They claim something about driving dynamics, etc… So it looks like it will only have a 4 pot line-up. When talking about driving dynamics, a 4 banger does not come to mind especially in a luxury vehicle. MB’s old N/A bigger engines were smooth. One might as well wait and go for an all electric C-class over this mess. I am sure the full hybrid options down the line will be better. I see more customers going to RS and M. Hopefully Cadillac can steal some new customers from them. As for me the CT4 and CT5 are more compelling with classic interiors and better engines at this point.
The screens are gross just like in the new S-class. I reckon this is what the new 200k Cadillac will look like but with more dirty screens. Gross.
Einstein’s. The consumer market will determine success. Not your bloviating.
Classic Mercedes ; already outdated ,and boring exterior combined with tacky cluttered interior with the imitation materials that will provide “exclusive” german car interior squeaking noise when you push any surface. And as you might expect this one you see right here is the top of the line fully loaded version. You can imagine how bad the lower versions would be. By the way that fish-bellied console and dash design from early 2000s don’t go unnoticed either!
But, those are precision GERMAN squeaks. Press it in the same spot each time, and the noise never changes; it is consistent, as only precision squeaks can be.
get an assembled-in-America (Alabama) C63 or C63S with V-8, while they still are available
Now I know what happened to the Pontiac Design Team. Who knew they spoke German?
That’s funny, those air vents are totally Pontiac.
Ct5 does not even have ambient lighting…. directed by bean counters…
Yep it’s the details like that that GM fanboys don’t understand. Cadillac slapping on “kinda sorta maybe a little Escala inspired” looks on an old car but not having digital cluster, ambient lighting, unique interfaces, etc. are the details of a luxury brand. Cadillac doesn’t innovate, you get the same user interface in an Encore, Colorado, Silverado, Yukon, CT5, Malibu, etc. Cadillac doesn’t sweat any details except on Escalade finally. Maybe the EVs will be different.
Your comment is factually incorrect on several points.
1. You say the CT5 doesn’t offer a digital IP? But it does. Educate yourself:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/09/heres-the-new-12-inch-digital-gauge-cluster-for-the-2021-cadillac-ct4-and-ct5/
It also doesn’t look like an afterthought in the CT5… while looking absolutely horrible in the Mercedes.
2. Unique interfaces?
Also wrong. The Cadillac HMI is done via rotary controls on the center console, something no other GM vehicle offers.
3. If your “no unique interfaces” comment refers to the actual interface and not to controls, then the Lyriq will have entirely different UI than anything else currently offered by GM.
PS: if Mercedes had the luxury of owning a mainstream automobile brand, it would also recycle the UI portion of the vehicles.
4. Ambient lighting? Really? That’s the definition of a luxury vehicle to you? In that case, the Mustang is the best luxury vehicle of them all. Face it, ambient lighting is a show-off feature that demos well but is then seldom used or appreciated by owners.
5. You say Cadillac doesn’t sweat the details.
I can agree with this in some cases, such as the lack of integrated roof rack mounting points or the lack of a 40-20-40 folding rear seats, or the lack of an auto-dimming passenger-side mirror. But there are many things Cadillac does very well with this generation of its luxury sedans. For instance, it’s one of only two models in the segment to offer heated and ventilated front seats (the other two being the Mercedes and Lexus, though a C-Class with vented seats is a unicorns… almost non-existent on C300 and C43, and completely NOT AVAILABLE on the C63).
Cadillac also did all the basics very well with the CT4 and CT5, including having the best driving dynamics in the segment, along with solid infotainment that’s attractive and easy to use. That can’t be said of the outgoing C-Class, which had the worst infotainment system in the class along with lackluster driving dynamics. I was interested in the a C43 AMG Sedan and drove it many times on different occasions trying to convince myself that I want it. At the end of the day, I could not bring myself to buy what is simply an inferior product living on the laurels of its badge.
Cadillac is still pretend, despite their efforts. The general oberservation from the person you are replying to is correct. The sales prove it. People prefer 6 other brands over Cadillac. Facts are stubborn things, aren’t they Alex? Cadillac is not an innovater.
Cadillac: “Look at me I can run the Nurburgring better than BMW!”
The Market: “Did someone say something?”
Be Cadillac not BMW. Why would a BMW buyer want a me too when they can get the real thing? If I want
German performance car I’ll buy it. Not a Japanese or American car trying to be German.
Cadillac is pretend? Pretend what? Stop talking nonsense and get down to brass tacks.
Let’s take you on a quick trip to the automotive school of hard knocks. Since you’re such a big fan of facts, let’s inject some here: the luxury auto market started to shift around 4-5 decades ago from huge floating barges to more nimble, sporty offerings. Cadillac was extremely late to make the shift, instead deciding to continue offering what we can describe today as the “old school” luxury car. That, in turn, created a certain “uncool” perception of the brand, one that Cadillac is still trying to change today.
The scenario described above is the primary reason that Cadillac is outsold by its rivals in some segments today. Taking too long to respond to changing customer demand has cost Cadillac dearly, and the brand continues to pay for the mistakes of the past to this day. Thing is, perception takes a while to change, and is a difficult endeavor in and of itself. But constant directional changes, pioneered by a revolving door of execs at Cadillac over the last two decades, many of whom have hampered product, has made it even more difficult still.
The mistake you’re making is thinking that Cadillac is “trying” to be something it’s not. To the contrary, Cadillac is simply catering to today’s customer expectation of a luxury car. It has nothing to do with being something it’s not.
Those are the facts, bud… not whatever you vomited into the comments box.
Hey Alex, I agree with you. You nailed it in the first paragraph. The perception of the brand “is one that Cadillac is still trying to change today”.
That’s exactly it!!! They haven’t figured it out. Why are they still “trying” and not already done it? It’s 2021 already! Figure it out. They have a perception problem. Right? They’ve lost their way. Brand ethos Alex, tell me what Cadillac’s ethos is? Consumers view of Cadillac is ambiguous at best. The quality and aesthetic perception does not line up with their product. They want from “Standard of the World” to Create a higher standard to art meets something to Break through…
Well, the reason I think Cadillac is trying to be like the Germans is their cars quickly went in that direction (design and performance), including the V moniker like BMW’s M and MB’s AMG. They also started taking thier cars to Germany to run the ring like BMW. Hey, it hasn’t translated. Maybe I’m wrong and your right. But whatever their doing, I think you will agree, it’s not working.
Their concept cars like the one’s they made a few years back like the El Miraj etc. are more like what people view a Cadillac is. Classy and elegant doesn’t have to be barge and cushy. I think there is a big market for that, not just sporty athletic. The 3 Germans pretty much cover sporty, masculine and athletic. Be different with world class quality. What do I know.
Don’t get emotional, you’re an industry writer who should be impartial and objective.
lol @ thinking ambient lighting is important.
Italian and BobBiggity: Hahahahahaha. Hahahaha. Ambient lighting. Hahahaha. I can’t stop laughing!
Ambient lighting: What a brand does in order to cover the other shortcomings. But you boys go with it. As Alex made the point very clear, you can compete with the kids in the Stang at the stop lights trying to impress others with colors. Hahaha.
Nothing says shortcoming like being third to dead last (Cadillac) in sales in your home country! Who’s laughing now! Ha!
“third to dead last in sales”
The CT5, which competes directly with the C-Class, was in fourth during Q4 2020. It’s coming for your mighty C-Class:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/03/cadillac-ct5-sales-numbers-figures-results-fourth-quarter-q4-2020/
With every single new Vehicle release from every Automaker in every segment just shows how far behind all of GM is in the interior Department. General Motors needs to leapfrog their own interiors by at least three to four Generations in tech and materials just to catch up. The Industry keeps leaving GM further and further behind in the Interior Department. GM do better ASAP!!!
Momolos: Please expand on your proclamation. I’m getting my popcorn for this one.
In other words, give some detail as to why you think this instead of just throwing such a general comment on here.
@Dan Berning
Not sure what was so General about my statement. It is very obvious what I said. The only vehicle that GM leads in the Interior Department is the Escalade and that is because the only competitor is the Navigator.
The C8 also has a great interior but there is no competitor to the C8 at all. So yes besides those two vehicles, GM either has Just good enough interiors or not even close to their Segments. I mean Cadillac interiors overall are barely just good enough and Buick is definitely a couple steps below Lincoln, Volvo, Infinity, and Acura.
GMC interiors are about Three Generations behind in materials and Tech (except the Yukon Denali) and the Chevrolet interiors are borderline a complete and utter joke when compared to others in the Segment. The Tahoe is fine but there too they didn’t go far enough. Why is it in the High Country Tahoe you cant get real Copper Trim instead of that lame looking fake copper looking Plastics trim?
I am a huge GM fan and want them to succeed badly. I have been saying for years that the Future of the Auto Industry is Tech, Interior Materials for the Segment, and BEV;s.
GM has lost their way in the interior Department ever since Bob Lutz left. He was the only one screaming on the importance of great interiors. Customers now want the best overall vehicle for the least amount of money. And they expect Top end Materials for the Segment and Top end Tech. Not Gauge Clusters that look like vehicles from the 90’s
If I am wrong, please let me know which vehicles you consider (besides the ones I mentioned) that have better interiors than their Competitors in the segment.
GM interiors are average at best.
Momolos: You are only stating things that maybe you feel or think? Where is there any factual truth in what you are saying? Are you getting this from car magazines? Do you work in the industry? Do you own all these cars? I’m just trying to figure out if this is just what you think and thus opinion or what. According to JDP and other reputable magazine or surveys, etc, the Cadillac and GM overall do not lag behind as you claim.
As for WTH: Just another European snob making their place attempting to justify the MB and BMW’s out there. They are mostly just over-priced cars that require way too much in maintenance and upkeep. So to try and justify, he/she is now coming on here spewing a bunch of garbage.
I do not work in the Industry. However, I help a lot of people with their Car shopping. Have done so for many years. Since I was a Teen. I love everything cars related. The Auto Industry is my hobby.
I have helped people that look for cars in many segments and price points and have driven Econoboxes to 150K vehicles. I have been trying to get NON GM Fanboys into GM vehicles for many years. Almost every single one (and I cannot say I blame them) pass on the GM vehicle in that specific Segment due to mostly cheap plastic interiors or lack of Tech. If I am wrong, I ask again which GM vehicle has best in Segment interior besides the ones I stated?
I finally got someone to spend 110K on an Escalade. They gave up their Mercedes GLS. The reason they signed on the dotted line? you guessed it, the amazing new interior and tech.
The Great Bob Lutz himself talked down GM interiors when he joined and still does to this day. I cannot stress enough how important interiors are to NON Car fans in general. Most people I talk to couldn’t tell you the difference between a Four Speed Auto to a 10 Speed Auto. Some have no clue what engine they are driving every single day. But they all can tell the difference between a top notch interior for the Segment compared to one that is not. It isn’t hard.
I want GM to do better and they must do better and they must do so ASAP.
Momolos. What you stated above shows us that it’s your opinion and the opinion of others. We all have them and there’s nothing wrong with it. But nothing in what you have been writing is factual nor does it prove anything. Anyhow, you asked, so here’s my response (opinions).
Equinox vs. Mazda CX5. (I work at a Mazda store and have a lot of experience with the CX5). IMO, the Equinox wins hands down.
Chevy Spark vs. Toyota Yaris. Both have lots of hard plastics, but the overall tech and feels gives the Spark the win. And yes, I’ve owned a Spark and I’ve been in many small Toyota’s.
Cadillac CT4 vs. Lexus IS or MB C-class. Interior of the CT4 wins. By far more elegant and the materials are all top notch. Fit and finish of the CT4 is great. I own one.
Cadillac XT6 vs. Volvo XC90. I work at a Volvo dealership. The Volvo is nice, but doesn’t hold up well and the tech is not any better than the Cadillac’s.
Buick Encore vs. Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V. This one is painfully clear to anyone who can touch and feel. I’ve owned a 2018 Encore and it was/is fantastic. Of course, I’m not being fare to the two Japanese brands. The more fair comparison would be the Encore vs. the smaller Lexus and Acura models.
So there you go. I’ve given great examples and I would put money on any of those GM cars over the competition. But in your posts, you keep saying “tech” and “plastic”, yet what is that tech you speak about? What car brands don’t use plastics?
That is correct. The opinions of customers is the ONLY thing that should matter to GM. They are the ones purchasing the vehicle not the Media that review their cars. Oh and almost all media is on my side. So besides us GM fanboys that try to make every excuse in the Book for GM, nobody respects GM’s interiors.
Ok, whatever. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am the first one that will slam GM (sorry, gm) for stupid things. Just like what I just did. Go back and look on that article about them going from GM to gm and you will see that I am far from a fan-boy of anyone. I’ve owned many Jeeps and Chrysler products, Ford products, one VW and two Kia’s. All those in just the past 20 years. So please don’t lump me into a group of what you call fan-boys.
So if nobody but fan-boys respects GM interiors, please list who that is. Give a link to an article. Anything to prove what you say. Look at it like this. In this case, you are the one leveling charges against someone, thus you must prove what you are saying. Just like in a court of law. If you file charges against someone, you then need to build a case and provide evidence to prove your case. Otherwise, there is no case. Above, I’ve clearly listed 5 different GM models in 5 quite different categories. I see that you have chosen to ignore those and still throw your generic accusation that nobody respects GM interiors.
I once again state that almost nobody respects GM interiors. That is the issue. Not customers and especially not anyone from the Auto Media.
Some GM fanboys make excuse for them though. All I am saying is that if GM doesn’t start making top end interiors for each segment they will lose in the long run. Just my opinion
A rehashed German turd from 2014. That interior will have a dangerous shine like a lighthouse, and the vinyl seat is an embarrassment.
Love the ill-fitting cheap plastic “Fit and Finish” on the 6th pic down, pre-production or not, you would think for the photo-ops they would get at least that right to then show the world.
MB just stick to making garbage trucks, taxi cabs, and plumbers’ vans.
One thing the Germans have done well is paint. All US automakers are substandard in. this department. Are German garbage trucks are painted better than a Cadillac? I was looking at a black BMW 5 series and a Cadillac XT5. The Caddy lost BIG.
I think Cadillac has better exterior panel Gaps than Mercedes in my opinion.
Germans aren’t the best at everything.