Although the sedan body style continues to dwell near the bottom of the heap in terms of U.S. sales volume, General Motors still has a few four-doors left in its roster – three, to be exact, specifically the Chevy Malibu, the Cadillac CT4, and the Cadillac CT5. With two-thirds of GM’s U.S. sedan lineup carrying a Cadillac badge, it’s interesting to note that Cadillac sedans appear to be morphing in terms of design, with the exterior layout adopting a four-door coupe profile.
Pre-refresh Cadillac CT5
This design change started with the Cadillac CT5, which debuted a rapidly sloping roofline, lending it a sportier appearance than a traditional three-box sedan. A similar design motif was also applied to the Chinese-exclusive second-generation Cadillac CT6.
By comparison, the Cadillac ATS sedan, every generation of the Cadillac CTS, and the first-generation Cadillac CT6 all offered a more traditional three-box layout. Currently, the only Cadillac sedan to follow the traditional three-box design is the CT4, which, incidentally, was never even supposed to have happened, as GM Authority was the first to report.
Second-generation Cadillac CT6
Looking back, the four-door coupe body style was originally pioneered by the German automakers, starting with the Mercedes-Benz CLS Class. Since then, the body style has made its way to a variety of German models, including:
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
- BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (now discontinued)
- BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
- Audi A5 Sportback
- Audi A7 Sportback
- Volkswagen CC
- Volkswagen Arteon
All of these models have a rapidly sloping roofline, and all have frameless windows as well.
Cadillac, meanwhile, has been somewhat sluggish in its adoption of the four-door coupe body style. It could also be argued that the CT5 and second-generation CT6 aren’t “true” four-door coupes, as neither is equipped with frameless windows.
Refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5-V
Either way, the bottom line is this – two out of three Cadillac sedans currently on the market have a coupe-like profile. And while the Germans may offer four-door coupes as a complement to traditional three-box sedans, the coupe-like profile seems to be where Cadillac sedans are now – and possibly where they’re headed in the future, as well.
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Comments
Every sedan has the same silhouette regardless of brand. Sloped back glass and low Cpillar making difficult entry. No wonder people switching to SUVS.
The drivers don’t sit in the back
So true no adult can sit in the back seat of Cadillac sedan offered in the U.S.A.
That’s been like that the past 100 years.
Line up the 1952 domestic model car line side by side and try to tell the difference. Heck, take BMW’s sedan offerings in 1990’s..
Differentiation costs money.
Yes just what the people want a gas guzzling SUV that you have to jump up to even get in and Wind noise competing when trying to visit. LOVE those Station Wagon Utilities, Lol.
One word, Aerodynamics. Coupes have lower wind resistance due to the back slope (think airplane wing) and so squeeze maybe an extra mpg. Worth 14 dollars per .1mpg per car times the entire fleet. Adds up.
The CT5 may have a coupe-like profile, but the big black triangle in the C pillar is a horrible solution to the sloping rear roofline. Add a Saturn-mimicking shape to the rear door window and the CT5 comes off as a cheap car – no matter how good it might drive.
That is for sure Desert Native, The first time I saw the CT5 rear door glass and 1/4 glass arrangement , I hated it and still do to this day. The CT6 and the last impala’s had a much nicer roof and 1/4 panel design.
I like it! Very classy yet sporty.
Overweight tricked-up Malibu.
yawwwwn
Only that the CT4, CT5 and CT6 don’t share a single thing with the Malibu… go back to bed.
The same generic profile. The article is about the design.
The same look, more bulk, with Kenworth marker lights.Try to keep up.
If you think the Malibu resembles Cadillac sedans beyond having four wheels, tires and a roof, you’ve gotta lay off the stuff you get at the “medicinal” dispensary.
My grandfather’s 2dr “hatchback” look from the1970s.
They stretch the body, add 2 drs and call it a Luxury Coupe or Sedan because it has a trunk.
Caddy, Beemer, Mercedes, Malibu … the same cookie cutter profile .
The CT5 is a fat Malibu with ONLY 0.5 L more under the hood to carry the extra lbs.
Cultural leninism, they all look alike.
Will they still come in 60 shades of gray ?
“Welcome to the commune. Wanna meet Greta?”
I am hoping the CT6 comes back to USA before I give up my Premium Luxury 2020 CT6. There is nothing in GM line like it. Bring the China CT6 to USA. The new colors are fantastic.
I wouldn’t be holding my breath.
I drive a 2013 CT5V and get compliments almost every day. As reported in earlier articles, CT5 sales are up. A great design leads to improved sales.
I love the profile on my XTS and it’s size makes entry easy. Also my wife’s Impala stands out in today’s ugly box offerings.
Bring the ATS back! CT 4 isn’t the same and the hp was reduced.
Although I own a 2023 CT5, I’m not all that crazy about the looks. I prefer the design of the CT6 we had previously and the several CTSs we had before that. Having said all of that I love the Escala Concept car so if future Cadillac sedans are adopting the Escala design, I’m all for it. The rendering above looks very “Escala-esque” and I love it !!!
Oh wow . Did not even know Cadillac was still in business. I thought Chevy took them over as market share continues to errode. Actually, did not know GM was still even around. Wow, learn something new every day.
Wow DrBob, you must be joking .
Prescription pad in his pocket.
Too bad the CT6 is not built in the United States. Very nice looking car with good lines. Unfortunately GM has a SUV and a misguided Electric Vehicle mentality.
You’re overlooking a lot of historic Cadillacs to claim Cadillac is suddenly ‘copying the Germans’.
The CT6 is really the design that loyal Cadillac owners in America are looking for. Why can we not get the second-generation CT6 in America just like the Chinese market is being open to?? I do believe that GM could sell the vehicle in the states. If nothing else, allow the CT6 to be imported to the USA…just like you do with the Buick line. We would appreciate it greatly. My only purchasing choice next time around in a Mercedes. You are going to lose loyal Cadillac customers by not having the CT6 available in the US…what a shame.!
In a world where our roads are full of ‘truck like passenger cars’ anything that looks like a traditional 3 box sedan will get my attention. Frankly, In think the Cadillac CT6 stood out as something appealing in sea full of SUVs with truck like ride qualities.
Down under in Australia, Australians from around 2006 through to late 2017 could purchase a WM or WN Holden Caprice. These Holden Caprices had Cadillac CT6 looks, were powered by 6.0 and 6.2 Gen 3 V8s. Were equipped with everything and its a real shame the USA were never offered one of these as a Cadillac or Buick.
Long live the traditional sedan with its better looks, better road handling and much better ride comfort.
Unless Cadillac brings back the CT-6, I’m done with the brand.
I’ve been a loyal Cadillac customer for 35 years.
Why do they think the Chinese market is more deserving than America
The answer is simple: because the Chinese buy Cadillac sedans in substantially higher quantities.
Is that what it is? Everybody is like “GM but kissing the Chinese” like Mike here but I don’t think that’s why. I think there genuinely is more variety in tastes in China while the US is either SUV or trucks. Only a few enthusiasts want sedans.
When is Cadillac going to announce the EV sedans? Very interested to see what they’ll look like
They did. Its called the Celestiq. But you better pony up $340K for it whenever it comes out if ever.
I’m not referring to the Celestiq. I’m referring to the the two sedan EVs that are supposed to be replacing the CT4 and CT5… Also I never stated I wanted to buy. I stated that I’m interested in seeing what they look like. If I ever buy an EV from Cadillac, it would probably be the lyriq.
“the four-door coupe body style was originally pioneered by the German automakers starting with the Mercedes-Benz CLS Class.”
This is a joke, right? You’re giving way to much credit for this pretentious nameplate.
Modern day droopy tailed sedans were 10 years ahead in production than Germans with the Infiniti J30 and Nissan Altima. Even they were inspired by the design of American cars of the 40s.
I disagree. The J30 and the Altima were both three box sedans with rounded edges. This isn’t the same “droopy tailed sedan” as the CLS whatsoever, which is very purposeful about being a four door coupe.. as dumb as that term sounds.
The Eldorado Brougham had the 4-door coupe look back in the 1950’s.
I really hope the Ct6 comes back and stays in the USA. I am a GM guy and ive had 4 big body Cadillacs from the Seville Eldorados to the STS – V. The Ct6 is an awesome automobile and it reminds me of the Sedan DeVille America once had. Im pretty sure that this new generation Ct6 with the right engineering, colors, engine options and a good price will attract customers to come back to Cadillac. Who knows it could possibly reclaim its throne and become the standard of the world once again. Come on GM bring back the BIG BODY CADILLAC. I will not drive anything else and there millions of other CADILLAC die hards that feel the same way.
Yeah I miss the D-body 1995-1996 Fleetwoods. The last of its kind.
One of the things that annoyed me about Cadillac (and Lincoln up until recently) is this new idea to try to out-German the Germans. Even down to the code-like naming scheme for the models. Enough already. Why can’t you just focus on innovation and being the unique American luxury cars you have always been known for? If I want a track tackling German car I will get a track tackling German car NOT an imposter pretending to be something its not. But I don’t. I want my super comfortable and quiet American land yacht I grew up loving even if its not a sedan and a crossover instead. Lincoln had the right idea by saying “The hell with the stupid code-like names. We are returning to a traditional naming scheme and the soft riding land gliders we have been known for.”
The sad news is Lincoln is being closed by Ford to join Mercury, Merkur and Edsel. The obits will be announced any day now.
They are going back to the Last generation of Pontiac Grand Prix.. from the looks
Bring back the 1976!
It’s a dam crim Cadillac has dropped a full size luxury sedan that gave it it’s umph in this world. I’ve been a Cadillac sedan owner of 8 in my life. When I’m done with my 2017 XTS I’m going to have to bow out of the Cadillacs that are left and switch to someone who’s got a good size sedan.
One could debate that about Mercedes being the first. What about the Eldorado Brougham? The styling says 4-door coupe in 1950’s fashion.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My wife’s car, 7 passenger, mine 5, both with four doors and someone may sit back there twice a year. I’ll always prefer a coupe. And for my eyes, with the exception a those twin kidney stones on a BMW, Caddys are a head turner; for the right reasons. I’ll have to go back to 2019 to drive my fav Cad coupe.