GM revealed the fully refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 almost a year ago, followed by the performance-oriented 2025 CT5-V and high-performance 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. These changes introduced visual tweaks to the front end along with new tech to benefit the interior. Amid the design changes, one detail – the C-pillar treatment – was left well alone, despite having aggravated some folks when the CT5 initially debuted in 2019. A lot’s happened in the world since then, then so we’re asking the question again.
2020 Cadillac CT5 shown
The piece in question is the triangle-shaped unit just aft of the rear doors. Though influenced by the Escala concept, the insert in the CT5 is not functional as part of the rear window. Instead, it’s a mold of black plastic surrounded by either chrome (Luxury trims) or gloss black (Sport and V-Series trims).
The refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 range features exactly the same C-pillar design despite comprehensive refinements to other aspects of the vehicle. In short, it’s no more useful or different now than when it was released five years ago.
Here’s the thing: Cadillac is not alone in trying to offer a unique C-pillar. Nissan and Honda has adopted a similar take on their respective sedans in recent years. In Honda’s case, however, the C-pillar kink is part of the actual rear window treatment that contributes to the rear visibility of the vehicle… or rather, vehicles, since both Civic and Accord sedans feature functional C-pillars.
Cadillac Escala concept
So, Cadillac’s interpretation of this design technique hasn’t changed, but maybe opinions have. Has the C-pillar of 2025 Cadillac CT5 improved with time? Decide in the poll below.
Comments
It’s the achilles heel of the CT5’s design from day one. It cheapens the overall look of the exterior design.
It’s quite disappointing how much the Escala’s greenhouse design got mucked up in translation to the CT5. With the mid-cycle design update, they should’ve left the front end alone and give attention to everything aft of the B-Pillar.
It’s distinctive and I’ve always approved. The poll is lacking in that choice so I didn’t vote.
The Escala’s profile is strikingly attractive, including the modern and more dramatic take on the Hofmeister kink. The CT5, while overall a good looking sedan, definitely falls short. The plastic fake window doesn’t draw much attention to itself on a black car, but against any other body color, it looks cheap and like an attempt at being different. The worst part, in my opinion, is the otter tail that trails off the top rear corner of the kink. Terrible.
It should be a window like the Escala
I never liked it when it was released.
It doesn’t help that they have the break in the back side glass, either.
Looks too cheap; like a 1st gen Chevy Cruze.
If they could fix it to look like the Escala concept, that would go a LONG way in tuning up the appearance of the car.
I have gotten used to it. Not an issue.
Once a ugly design, always a ugly design. The look doesnt change, so how do you get used to it?
How can the c pillar on the CT5 ever grow on you, it was ugly and still is…. period. The CT5 actually needs a rear door window redesign and the C-pillar redesign.
Don’t worry, they’ll discontinue it before that happens.
Looks to much like the Opel/Saturn L series sedans.
the CT5 C Pilar design should be the same as the Escala
My next door neighbor has a gorgeous black ’23 CT5 Sport with 20s that he keeps in the driveway. This car is a real head turner. When he first got it, neighbors were all over it.
I don’t mind it THAT much but to me it resembles a new Honda Accord to much.
I’m just happy that it’s a car and that they still offer it. Even though I had a 2020 CT4 which I like the style better, I’ve always thought that the CT4 and CT5 just don’t give off a Cadillac vibe. More like a nice Chevy vibe. That C-pillar on the CT5 kills it for me, but I’d still buy one of these over an XT4, XT5, XT6 or Escalade.
In my opinion it beautiful resembling an Egyptian eye with Elegance and Excel . It’s different from the standard and Cadillac is not standard.
When it initially came out, I thought it looked exactly like a Honda Accord. I still think that, but I can at least tell the difference in traffic.
In my opinion, the last two attractive sedans were the CT6 and the last gen Seville (which I think aged very well)
It’s a major design flaw, and destroys any side view harmony of the car. It simply echoes “cheap”. I have a V3 and won’t even consider buying a CT5 because of the C pillar design and the fact that the non Blackwing V is a huge performance step backwards from even the V-Sport. It’s a huge disappointment all around.
I like the Escala design I have never been a fan of the current design.
I bought a CT4V Blackwing in Oct ’23; might have considered the 5 except for the C pillar…it’s a deal-killer.
We considered a C-5 recently, but for me….. it came down to that treatment on the C-pillar….. I decided against it. The C-pillar treatment goes beyond falling short….. They could’ve considered a black chromed insert with a subtle Cadillac crest, or start there. After all, in some ways you are what you drive….. Then, there’s the Hofmeister kink and everybody’s doing it. That’s a BMW thing. We’re ready for a full size Cadillac like the late C-6, preferably like the Escala. The C-6 was nice and is still being produced, but only for the Asian market preferably like the Escala. I’m a former GM designer and I would’ve squawked loudly about that had I been there when this was done….. For me, it reminds me of a HONDA, but then again GM Design has fallen into the category of “Me Too” in some of their results. For me, the Escala depicts what a Cadillac should or could be…… smooth, elegant lines, refined surfaces and detailing. One final comment….. GM Design is guilty of not knowing when to lift the brush, or the pencil….. as we used to say. They can’t seem to leave well enough alone, especially when they’ve got a beautiful design. Everyone seems to have to have one more input (read that as one more change) to satisfy their own ego. Bring on the Escala….. I could conceivably acquire 2….. I would definitely have an issue selecting the color.
In 2020 I test drove the CT5 (after the TLX and 3 series) and liked it enough (after beating myself up over the C pillar) to have the salesman start running numbers but then I spotted a black CT4 premium lux on the floor, test drove it and picked it up the next day. After 18 months moved up to t2022 CT4V Blackwing. Both better looking than the CT5’s (but seriously lacking in rear seat ingress/egress and of course the heavenly V8). As I believe the CT4 will be history soon, hoping Cadillac will seriously offer a next gen CT5 ( with more resemblance to the sharper concept designs) and ICE based with an option of a version of the ERay’s additional ponies up front. Not for everyone but would check all the boxes for me.
Yes, if they would just offer the Ct4 in a long wheelbase model, I think they would have a great option for most CT5 buyers.
The C – Pillar is common on so many cars , and Crossovers . It doesn’t belong on a Cadillac.
It works on the beautiful Escala , because it’s chromed , and flows with the impressive design.
It’s just a another Cadillac following , not leading, on.the CT-5 .
I hate to be so critical, but I love the brand, and just don’t understand why some of their resulting products, do not seem to reflect the Cadillac legacy of leading , not following.?
What I absolutely do not like are the rear horizontal light appendages across the trunk , which diminishes the the iconic vertical ” fin : effect, and is on Honda , others- BAD!
That shows the designer (s ).do not understand Cadillac legacy features..
Cadillac shoud run those ” fins ” across the fenders a bit , aa I have seen on design studies, which give a stunning unmistakable spirit of Cadillac look , or just keep.the sharp blade .
The extra afterthought lights are NOT Cadillac, and diminishes the traditional look.
I actually really like it. Yes usually but a fan of non-functional trim pieces but I think it looks good, and overall makes me like the ct5 design more than the ct4. It’s a little thing that adds to the sedan coupe feel of it… which again is not to everyone’s liking but I appreciate it.
I own a 2020 CT5-V, in Raven Black. As mentioned in the article, the C-pillar insert isn’t noticeable in this color. It allows you to see the overall design of the car, and your eye isn’t drawn to it. It’s morecawkward in other body colors. As Bill said, I’ve gotten used to it. I love the car.
Yeah, the CT5-V in black minimizes the design impact of the C pillar and i think that makes it the best looking color for the car but there are so many other really nice colors offered on the car that it can make the decision a little awkward. At the end of the day it’s personal taste and hard to go wrong with either car, especially the V’s and Blackwings!
It’s gonna be really interesting to see Cadillac’s next ICE based (hybrid?) sedan offering. Hey, how about an ICE based convertible to eliminate the C pillar question entirely? OK, time for some more coffee…
Take a look at a 2021 Honda Accord from the side. It’s crazy how a lowly Honda got that C-Pillar kink right and with a window. I don’t care how great performance wise the CT5 is. You’re blind if you think that car doesn’t look cheap from the side and I’m saying this as Cadillacs biggest fan. Who the hell signed off on that rear door cutting off like that. It’s doing a disgrace as a successor to the CTS before it.
Lol ☝🏽 one more thing! I know I’m in the minority with this one but I love that bustle butt huge trunk design on the CT4. It’s so clean to me and screams Cadillac. It doesn’t look like any other car on the road when you’re behind it.
I first objected because it was like a couple other foreign cars. But i see how it goes perfectly with the profile style. I AWAYS and still do dislike the plastic. Even if ot was not a see thru glass (because of seat belt mechs or other considerations) it still should have been a black piece of glass, but the bean counters won. I saw one ct5 pillar that was delaminating or something, and the other side was fine, not sure if that was a one-off or what.
Why would I want my “luxury” vehicle to resemble a Honda?
Like a mole on the forehead of the Mona Lisa. Always draws the eye away from the rest of the design. Only way this disappears is , as others have said, is on a black vehicle.
It’s not that bad so what’s the problem that’s not the reason why people aren’t buying the car
It’s the same C pillar design as when they launched the car in MY2020 just as the story notes. And even then they shamelessly ripped off the gen 10 Honda Accord who did the EXACT same design only they did it first (2017).
It’s a major design flaw, and destroys any side view harmony of the car. It simply echoes “cheap”. I have a V3 and won’t even consider buying a CT5 because of the C pillar design and the fact that the non Blackwing V is a huge performance step backwards from even the V-Sport. It’s a huge disappointment all around.
I have a CT5-V and I like it. In fact, I had a CT5 Premium Luxury before this one. It didn’t keep me from buying them.
That pillar is awful. It as a cheap knock-off of the Escala which was never built and was an outlier in Cadillac’s design vocabulary. Then, with a non-starter Escala roofline, they refused to make the back piece a window – lowering its design quality to below Honda. Add to that a rear door profile that mimics a Saturn and you have all the ingredients for a cheapo design. It may be an accountant’s dream, but it’s an atrocious Cadillac.
Love my Caddies but not liking any of the current sedan offerings. If the ct5 was a little longer in the trunk area, the design of the c pillar would blend in and flow proportionately better rather than looking like a Altima. For now I guess I’ll look for a used ct6 since I can’t bring myself to like the ct5.
They should’ve left everything the same the 24 ct5 is the best looking car imo followed by the Chinese 25 ct6. The 24 front end looks 10x better than the 25. They could’ve just updated the in interior and, gave us the 34 speaker treatment the ct6 got. With 3 subs one under console and, 2 in back with the amg upgrade. Honestly they should’ve focused on that butt ugly rear on the ct4
That’s the least of Cadillacs problems.
As an Australian my right to opinion probably isn’t valid but working in motor insurance for the car enthusiast covering a lot of modern American muscle, I like it. Similar to the KIA ( I know, I know) Stinger. It’s one less window to tint and to cover in a glass replacement scenario.
I suspect that the “C” pillar is just that, a pillar engineered to support the rear suspension. But how the designers have chosen to dress it up appears to be the problem. No matter how the designers dress it up there will always be a segment of the buying public who either dislikes it, accepts it or likes it. So maybe gm should produce a series of designs and make them an extra charge option over and above the basic and standard design. Makes more money for gm and creates a more satisfied buying public and everyone gets their choice of appearance. Although, there will always be a segment of the buying public who don’t like any of the designs no matter how many design options gm produce. What to do?
Its easy… Just make it good looking.