Poll: Did Cadillac Make A Mistake With The CT5 And CT6’s Fastback Designs?
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These days, the sedan body style is something of an oddity in North America, with the majority of the auto market dominated by SUVs and crossovers. Nevertheless, GM still offers three four-door sedan models in the U.S., including the Chevy Malibu, the Cadillac CT4, and the Cadillac CT5. Interestingly, the Cadillac CT5 and Chinese-exclusive second-gen Cadillac CT6 both break from the traditional three-box sedan design, offering more of a fastback profile. Which leads us to ask – is that a mistake?
Refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5
Viewed in profile, the Cadillac CT5 and second-generation Cadillac CT6 present a gradually sloping roofline that falls into the trunk at a greater angle than that of a traditional three-box sedan. By comparison, a three-box sedan has three well-defined sections in the profile, including the hood and front fenders (box one), the cabin, roof, and doors (box two), and finally, the trunk (box three).
Comparatively speaking, the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CTS have more of a traditional three-box sedan shape than the Cadillac CT5 and second-gen Cadillac CT6.
Cadillac CTS
Cadillac CT5
The fastback profile on the Cadillac CT5 and second-gen Cadillac CT6 include a more horizontal rear window slope that terminates in a short deck and trunk lid. The design is considered to be sportier and more stylish than a three-box layout, and is without a doubt the current design trend among those few remaining sedans still on the market, offering a more coupe-like appearance.
However, even if the fastback profile is the sedan design trend “du jour,” that certainly doesn’t mean Cadillac has to follow suit. By all accounts, Caddy could opt for a more traditional three-box layout, or possibly even follow a completely different path.
Second-generation Cadillac CT6
What do you think, dear reader? Did Cadillac make a mistake with the CT5 and CT6’s fastback designs? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac CT6 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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I love my 2016 CT 6. Very disappointed I will not be able to buy another one once I want to trade this in. Great size. Great performance. Just routine maintenance. 90k miles and counting.
No! But then Yes. Huh?
When placed alongside each other, the 3rd-Gen CTS and CT5 basically have similar profiles.
Where Cadillac erred is with the greenhouse design inclusive of that fugly C-Pillar which visually cheapens the look of the vehicle. Whereas the CTS had overall presence, the CT5 is a mixed bag.
It’s a head-scratcher of how the supposed inspiration taken from the Escala was so poorly executed on the greenhouse of the CT5.
Love my 90,000 + mileage CT 6. Great ride. Only car that has come close was my E350 Mercedes, but it didn’t have near the storage space the CT six has. I would buy a new CT 6 in an instant.