General Motors unveiled the 2025 Cadillac CT5 in September at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show, pulling the sheets on a mid-cycle refresh that includes new tech features, more standard safety items, and, as expected, new styling. The new styling seen on the 2025 Cadillac CT5 breaks from the outgoing 2024 model year in several ways, as seen when comparing the front fascia of both vehicles. Now, we want to know – which one looks better?
Refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5
2024 Cadillac CT5
The styling differences between these two models can be found up front, where we find several tweaks to the sedans’ fascia. The lighting, for example, is totally different, with the outgoing 2024 Cadillac CT5 showing angular upper headlights and vertical lighting signatures that run down either side of the fascia, plus a break between the two lighting elements via a body-colored bumper strip. By comparison, the refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 shows Y-shaped lighting signatures that seem to bracket squared-off lighting elements in the upper corners of the fascia. LED lighting is used throughout on the refreshed CT5.
Notably, the refreshed CT5’s unbroken lighting signature line, which runs vertically down the side of the fascia, brings some continuity to Cadillac’s sedan headlights, as GM Authority covered previously.
Refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5
Pre-refresh Cadillac CT5
Further changes include a new grille design, with the refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 showing a slimmer upper air intake and larger lower intake. The CT5 Sport once again shows off a black mesh grille insert, while polished trim is used for the rest of the lineup.
Finally, the profile and rear of both vehicles is more or less identical.
Refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5
2024 Cadillac CT5
So then, dear reader, we still want to know – which of these sedans do you think looks better? Do you like the new look of the 2025 Cadillac CT5, or do you prefer the styling of the 2024 Cadillac CT5? Tell us by voting in the poll below, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
For me, the face was never the issue, it is the back half of the car that needs work.
New ct5v front looks way better, I never liked the cut off lights made it look squished.
Looks alot more like the Escala/Ct6.
My next door neighbor just got a 2024 CT5 in black with the 20″ wheels. He keeps it in the driveway. It’s gorgeous. I can’t stop looking at it.
Your poll response states CT4…ugh
I have the 2022 CT5 sport and very happy with it. I am thinking I would like the CT5 V sport when the 2025 comes out AWD WITH THE SAME SPECS AS OUR 22 sport
2025 looks the best, looks more modern and sporty.
Front facia has a larger headlight lens which can catch more debris and easier to damage. The interior 33” screen takes away from a sportier look of the 24. Thumbs up 👍🏼 for the outgoing 24.
You need a third choice. “What’s the difference”.
I hate the center display on the dash of my 2024; it looks like someone glued a tablet on the dash and, to add insult to injury, there’s a constant day time glare on the upper right-hand side of the display. I taped a 6″ x 10″ inch black out to the W/S on the top-right of the rear view mirror to eliminate the glare. It’s worth trading up to a 2025 just to get the new one piece display. The new front fascia is neither a plus or minus in my mind.
Typo alert!!!
The survey says “outgoing 2024 CT4”
My vote is for the 2024 CT5…. I just bought a V and I’m loving it. I’m made that I wasn’t able to option it with the new seats!!!
They fixed the part that wasn’t broken. The old front end looked way better. I hate the runny mascara look of the 2025. The real problem was the incredibly awkward rear third of the car. The C-pillar remains unforgivable. The third-gen CTS was a very handsome, cohesive design, which the CT5 has never been.
True, true.
Third gen CTS was just a gorgeous vehicle that CT5 pales in comparison to.
Agree with Murrow. I cannot stop looking at that C-pillar ! Draws the eye like a wart in the middle of your forehead.Takes what is a nice design and destroys the flow. The CT4 is much cleaner.
I just don’t understand why u need a screen this big, I can see if u need navigation but how often do you need that and that can be done on a 12 inch or smaller other wise I have my radio on my screen. 8 inch. What’s a replacement going to cost for this thing. This is overboard like I should be watching tv
Essentially the fascia change here is similar to the redesign of the 2019 CT6. I prefer the first gen CT6. I had a 2021 CT5 for four months and sold it for a profit, mainly because the dealership I leased it from obscured the selling price, illegally set the residual to a number higher than the MSRP and then argued that “we can’t do anything, your contract is already at the bank”. The advertised GM lease was $1,500 down and $369 per month (plus tax) for the entry level CT5. The only “option” on mine was the Wave Blue color. The finance manager used the Covid pandemic to an extreme as he kept asking “is this a lease?” and then he kept page one of the contract. Using a digital signature process permitted him to hide every page as we went forward. My mistake, to trust any dealer like this and I worked for a dealership for thirty years!
It’s too small. Need a larger full sized sedan.
I’d add that they “also” need a larger full sized sedan. I’d love to see Cadillac keep the CT4 with a few updates to make it even more competitive than it already is. Then increase the size of the CT5 by about 5″ overall. Then bring out a big one. Something that will compete with the S-class and 7 Series, but in a very Cadillac way.
If I was ready to plop down the money for one, I’d be 55% inclined to go with the 2024 as I like it just a little more. But I’d take either of them and I’m just glad that Cadillac actually has some sedans.
Dont compare the two top pics of red and yellow ones …the red is standard model the yellow is a V which is basically same style as Sport, so they are not a good comparison because they are different even without the refresh. If you compare the 2024 regular one to 2025 refresh regular one i think the refresh is completely better as it has the more sporty bottom wing flairs outward that are usually reserved for the sportier models.
Sorry. With the vette being the exception. Gm cars. To myself gave been getting worse and worse on their styling. When chief style and I think president of gm at the time..Edward welburn jr. Was running the show. He was the best thing that happened to Gm styling. Beautiful, original, distinctive cars. From back when Harley earl was at GM. No one till edward had such agreat line up of great body designs.His cars were spot on. New GM stuff is just like all the other. So so cars out there in the market today. Gm cars , back in the day. Stood out for their style. They lead and shaped the car industry. Now. Just another eyesore follower. Please bring back Edward. Or find Edward the lll. If there is one. And ax who ever is doing design at GM now? The Chinese versions and joint venture vehicles are even worse! Your building decent product GM. Get your styling MOJO back. Please!
Own a 2016 CTS Lux. Still get stopped and asked what year and nice car.
Was going to trade up to a CT6, but with it discountiued, decided to keep it a little longer. Was hoping to get the 2024 or 2025 but it’s just not a stand out. Saw a 2023 few days ago.. boring same as everygjing out there. Front end Caddy, back end and C pillar..Nissan, Maxima from a previous Gen. Do better Caddy,
Let’s see what happens in 2026… another refresh or remodeled…
I have a 2017 ct6 and I love it. GM started manufacturing them in America but selling them only in China. Come on GM,sell in U.S.A. !
This post originally contained a typo in the poll that stated “2024 Cadillac CT4”, rather than “2024 Cadillac CT5”. The typo has been fixed. Thank you to those readers who called out the error.
The 2024 CT5 gets no love for some reason The Vehicle is simply a great looking . And I do t need a v6 to beat someone to the next traffic light. Give it some love before it’s too late . Good job Cadillac
Own a 2023 Cadillac ct5 350 I think the 2025 headlights look better than the 24 I like how they don’t separate
As a 2016CTS owner, I have to say I’m disappointed in the new direction Cadillac went in the look. People know I drive a Caddy, it’s undeniable and has it’s own look.
When I I drive my 2016, guaranteed at least weekly someone will be telling me how beautiful the car is or they get excited and asks performance questions.
But the new CT’s.. to be honest, especially the rear end looks like a Nissan. It’s smaller, and the lines just not as sexy as it used to be. Frankly, when I decide to upgrade, I’ll probably stay with a Gen 3 CTS or CT6 and skip the new CTs
I also feel the 2025 headlights look like running mascara. The new dash has me intrigued though.