A couple of factors have spelled an uncertain future for the Cadillac CT4. Its two Alpha platform mates, the Chevy Camaro and Cadillac CT5, were discontinued and facelifted, respectively. Since the CT5 got a mid-cycle refresh for 2025 and the CT4 didn’t, we wondered whether there would be a 2026 Cadillac CT4 or if we should plan for a funeral for Cadillac’s entry-level sedan.
However, GM Authority has learned that there will, indeed, be a 2026 Cadillac CT4. It won’t get a refresh like the CT5 did. Instead, it will soldier on with few, if any, changes. It might get the usual paint color changes, new wheel options, and maybe even a limited-run special edition similar to the 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Petit Pataud. But at the end of the day, it will be largely unchanged from the model it’s been since it came out in 2020.
Although the Cadillac CT4 debuted as an all-new model for the 2020 model year, one could argue that it’s little more than a warmed-over Cadillac ATS. Both are underpinned by GM’s Alpha platform and are produced in the same GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan. In another world, it could’ve just been the second-generation ATS. However, Cadillac changed its naming scheme using the “CT” nomenclature for its sedans, prompting the name change to CT4.
Don’t get us wrong; we don’t see its common lineage with the ATS as a bad thing. The Alpha platform has made for excellent Cadillac sedans that provide an outstanding balance of performance and luxury. Naturally, the V-Series versions are our favorites, and we aren’t alone in our love for how they drive.
As much as we like the Cadillac CT4, there’s no getting around the fact that it’s the luxury brand’s worst-selling model in the U.S. by a significant margin. Looking at Cadillac’s Q3 2024 sales in its home market, the CT4 has moved 4,900 units so far in 2024. The next slowest seller is its big brother, the CT5, at 10,991 sales in the same period. The Escalade and Lyriq both notched over 20,000 sales, while the whole “XT” family, including the recently discontinued XT4, have all managed over 13,000 sales each.
The slow sales and decreasing relevance of small luxury sedans don’t look good for the long-term future of the Cadillac CT4. But we’re glad it exists in the first place and that there will be a 2026 Cadillac CT4.
Comments
Will Ms Mary B and her largely unnecessary decisions get rid of the CT5?
I fear that, and the CT4 is going in the same direction….
I hope CT4 gets a new front design and interior. Keep its sales going any way.
And I’m sure gm will point to the continued declining sales of the XT5 and CT4 as examples of people “not wanting” ICE vehicles instead of recognizing they people don’t want OLD vehicles from the company that’s supposed to be the standard bearer of the industry.
Chevy Malibu that sold 93,533 units in 2024-YTD is killed, but Cadillac CT4 that sold 4,900 units is kept for 2025 and also 2026, thats strange.
Probably GM is pressured by the rich to keep luxury vehicles.
Crossovers hold 53% market share and is rising every year with car segment (sedan + coupe) having only 18% and is declining.
I have had three of the current generation Malibus (and also own a CT5). It is amazing that the Malibu generated that many sales with no mods (other than option deletes) since 2016 with ZERO advertising. A real testament to the product. Bewildering how the marketing team keeps their jobs.
Yet they claimed that they couldn’t make any money on Camaro with much better sales, the same platform & built at the same plant and laid off most the workers. Boneheaded decisions by those trying to force the products they want to make on many customers, not what we want.
Still no refresh in 2026?? How embarassing. Management should be ashamed.
Camaro and CT4/CT5 EV’s. I know it’s heresy.
Had a 2015 ATS, 2020 CT4 Premium Luxury, 2022 CT4 V BW and now just bought a CT5 sport AWD. All great cars with their own purpose (though the BW did it all) but the small back seat of the 4’s just made it impractical for my needs (although I think the 4 is better looking than the 5). But what do I buy in a few years to replace the CT5?
Super disappointing.Atleast give the same interior treatment like CT5.
Don’t make Super Cruise standard, like the 2025 CT5, thus increasing the price.
Change the front grille and tail lights each year, not a great expense, make the car look different, so people have some thing new in their driveways. During the 1950s to 1990s cars always had grille and tail light changes, even sheet metal refreshses each year, some cars would even have roof pillar changes each year. Just look at all the cars in the 50s,60s 70s bumper, grille and rear bumper, trunk lid changers each year were mandatory. Gave everybody some to look forward to every annual model release time around November every year. Now we have square shoe box suvs, i guess you can not change the shape of a square just not geometrically possible.,
If the CT4 does continue into 2026, it should get the new dash.
Should be easy with it already in the CT5.
People driving CT4/CT5 are in no hurry to go to a similar EV that likely costs $20k more.
Then CT4/CT5 drivers may end up with other non GM brands.
If Trump does what he says, gas will be available and lower cost.
Cadillac needs better looking sedan interiors.