Cadillac’s first next-generation crossover will sport a longer and lighter chassis than the outgoing SRX, the company announced Monday.
The XT5, which will be shown first in Dubai, will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week. The car will go on sale next year.
In addition to shaving nearly 300 pounds from the chassis, Cadillac announced that the car would be powered in the U.S. by the same 3.6-liter V-6 found in the ATS and CTS. Only a 2-liter turbocharged model will be available in China for the car’s first year. The XT5 will also sport an 8-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive.
According to Cadillac, the XT5 will be built on GM’s new Chi platform that will eventually replace the Lambda (Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave) and Theta (Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Captiva, GMC Terrain, Cadillac SRX) architectures. The wheelbase of the XT5 is 2-inches longer than the SRX, increasing rear legroom by 3.2 inches, while overall length stays roughly the same. XT5’s track is 1-inch wider and overall width is 2.5 inches wider than the outgoing SRX.
Cadillac’s new crossover will sport a BMW-style joystick shifter for the automatic transmission and a slightly revised Cue system, although it appears that touch controls for volume and infotainment will live on.
Cadillac also showed off a new leather-wrapped, wood-inlaid steering wheel that includes driver controls lower on the wheel, but the instrument cluster looks nearly identical to the new Camaro’s center display; a digital screen surrounded by tachometer and speedometer.
Photos released by Cadillac show two different grilles for the XT5. The one with more bars will be equipped as part of the Platinum trim package.
According to the manufacturer, the XT5 will sport adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and parking assistance. The XT5 may not support Super Cruise, at least initially. However, the system was developed, in part, on SRX models. Super Cruise has been confirmed for the 2017 Cadillac CT6. A spokesman from Cadillac did not comment on when Super Cruise may be available in the XT5.
The XT5 will sport 18-inch wheels as standard and 20-inch wheels will be available as an option. Models with the 20-inch wheels will have continuous damping control.
According to Cadillac, vehicles with all-wheel drive can shift 100 percent of available power from front to rear axles, and from side-to-side across the rear axle.
Cadillac didn’t announce pricing for the XT5 nor when the car would go on sale.
Maybe its just me, but it seems a giant center console in between the seats cuts down on interior space. In a car which already is not very “big” is this wise?
Nearly every car I’ve sat in that has been built in the last 8 years has had seats/drivers areas that are ridiculously tiny, but it goes back further than that to the mid 90s.
I’m not a huge guy at 200 lbs, but holy smokes, when I can barely fit how are bigger people supposed to fit in these vehicles and be comfortable? It is a conspiracy to force them all into trucks with larger seats? Why did car seats and front driver room get squashed down so much from the early 90s to today?
Essentially, yes. It’s all an attempt at being seen as “sporty” regardless of whether you need to or not.
I’m with you and I lost 50 of my previous 210lb having less issue today squeezing into things.
“It is a conspiracy to force them all into trucks with larger seats?”
I do wonder.
I am 6’5″, 235 lbs and most cars are terrible for me to sit in. Part of the reason why I have a C-Max is because I fit with room to spare. Shoulder space tends to be a huge issue for me. My shoulders touch the B-pillar on many vehicles.
Guess I lucked out at 6’2″ and 235-255 in the past ten years all my cars have been comfortable. 02-Taurus, 08 Malibu & 10 Legacy. Granted the Taurus was the version with the convertible bench front sheet and the Malibu put a hurting on the knees on out state trips. The Legacy that thing I can drive all day and be nice and comfy!
In the Malibu, my knee touches the center console/dash. The Legacy is a good car for tall people though.
One of the biggest issues with new car interior design.
Giant center consoles, no visibility, huge wheels with tiny tires. I can only take so much dumb.
At least GM finally brought out their rear view mirror camera system. The central rear view mirror actually displays a camera feed from a camera mounted on the back of the vehicle. They promised it in the volt update, but apparently, they have decided that they’d reserve it for Cadillac instead.
Now if only they’d increase the size of the interior rear view mirror by 1/2″ on all their vehicles. It is ridiculous that in my tahoe I have to adjust the rear view mirror up or down and side to side depending on if I want to see close, far away or predominantly out the left or the right of the rear door.
It makes me wonder, did they actually sit in the vehicle and just happen to not use the mirror or did they just parts bin it and call it good enough?
To answer your rhetorical question, I’m going with parts bin and call it a day.
Driving in my friends 2014 Taurus made this realization a sad reality. Not only did I feel claustrophobic with my right leg constantly hitting the massive center console but head space was tight, visibility out the back was virtually nil and those massive super costly 20″ wheels made every single impact strip, road irregularity and pot hole known to the inside passengers. I seriously couldn’t wait to get back inside my old W-body 2013 Impala.
Bigger, lighter, stronger, faster and more efficient. Works for me. Now if they can get the quality and dynamics part right.
Good luck with that. A coworker bought a new previous generation SRX for his wife to drive around. He said after 4 years and 40,000 miles it was experiencing multiple major mechanical failures- steering, suspension, electrical. It would no longer start or drive reliably no matter what the dealership did.
Wow that’s a really sweet looking Pacifica….
Pacifica had better styling and a third row.
The only good view, the direct front on view from the ground, makes me think this is a rip-off of a jaguar.
If this is built on the lambda replacement, why no 3rd row?
My guess is that it is a modular platform. The next Terrain/Equinox is going smaller and their will be a model yet unnamed to take their places in this size category. The Lambdas will also get slightly smaller, but hopefully not too small as their size is their trump card. So basically GM will attempt to do a VW and get 3 different size vehicles from one platform.
Well, it’s not so much that it’s modular. Most platforms can be lengthened, either between the axles, before the front axle and after the rear axle. That’s how the Toyota Highlander, which has a third row, can use the same basic platform as the Lexus RX, which does not.
Really, the idea of a “platform” as we know it consists of relatively few fixed criteria. On a FWD car, typically the windshield and firewall position, dash-to-axle ratio and pedal-box placement.
Maybe so but those two are only about 3 inches in length and 2 in wheel base difference, where as this XT5 and the new Enclave should have more like 5-8 inches diff.
“Platform” doesn’t actually refer to the structural base of the car.
“Platform” refers to how a car is built – the order it goes together in, its electronic architecture and the techniques used to join the parts. Within those parameters, all manner of variation are possible – different lengths, heights, widths, drivetrains, you name it.
Basically, cars on the same platform can be built on the same assembly line.
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The SRX/XT5 are already well established as RX fighters – i.e., 5-passenger SUVs. The new naming scheme also fits with this. I’m assuming that they’ve intentionally left ‘XT7’ and ‘XT3’ for a 7-passenger and mini-CUV offering, much like Audi.
“well established as RX fighters”
Fighters, really?
I suppose that would be the XT7.
What’s an XT1, a Chevy Spark CUV?
If XT3 is a compact based on the next-gen compact Equinox/Terrain, then XT1 would be a subcompact based on the Trax/Encore. A microcar CUV would be XT0 or XT-1.
If JdN has his way, the XT5 will be the last of the FWD-based Cadillacs.
The XTS is on its way out and a compact Cadillac crossover won’t be ready until around 2017/2018 – which coincidentally would be around the time the new RWD modular platform (replacing the Alpha) will be ready to under the ATS and CTS replacements as well as other body-styles.
The full-size Cadillac crossover will be based on the Omega platform and JdN has been on the record that he even wants Cadillac’s sub-entry sedan (CLA, A3 competitor) to be RWD-based, so the signs are pointing to Cadillac eventually going to an all RWD-based lineup (which makes sense since Buick can do the FWD-luxury thing).
As for the XT5, it’s a much needed upgrade in room and luxury over the underwhelming SRX and being FWD-based – keeps to the “bang for the buck” price to size ratio which has made the RX, RDX and MDX so successful.
“JdN has been on the record that he even wants Cadillac’s sub-entry sedan (CLA, A3 competitor) to be RWD-based”
Which either means Alpha continues somehow or he doesn’t get his way and here comes Cimmaron.
Well, I suppose there has to be use for the Alpha other than for the Camaro – otherwise would be a waste.
Basically, the ATS as it is would have been a good CLA, A3, etc. competitor (would have to lower the price a bit) as it was closer to the sub-entry models in interior space than the C Class, 3 Series and A4.
If this is true GM has been reading TTAC. They will reintroduce Alpha as one or two CUVs with no backseat as I argued months ago. The reasoning I used was because capability doesn’t seem to matter as much in those (Encore for instance doesn’t appear to be comfortable for rear passengers or has any capability and yet its ok). For whatever reason people complained about ATS as a sedan (myself included) but you won’t hear the same complaints from an uber small CUV because either those buyers don’t care or people are hypocrites. Why compete with a small car (i.e. A3) if you’re Cadillac and what you lack is CUVs anyway?
Won’t see an Alpha-based CUV as it was deemed unsuitable for CUV-duty (too narrow).
Another dumb move by the previous decision-makers at Cadillac in developing the Alpha platform and the ATS/CTS.
I’m not seeing where else a platform is coming from for an A3 sized car unless its going to be Delta III.
I thought this was on the Delta/Theta replacement Delta XX2 and not Lambda.
No?
For 3 rows the correct answer is Escalade, which is the closest thing they sell to a real Cadillac.
Still the Escalade is an SUV, Cadillac still needs a full-size CUV and one will be based on the Omega platform.
The CUVs have their own platform called Chi. The replacement for the Lambda trio will be built on the Chi platform as well, as will the replacements for the other Theta CUVs. My understanding is that they are going to add another size on this platform too though rather than keeping the Equinox/Terrain as a “Tweener” between the Escape and Edge sizes. The XT5 is the “Edge” sized Chi, the Lambdas will be “Explorer” sized Chis. I’m not sure if the “Escape/CR-V/etc” sized CUVs are on Chi or the D2XX platform (though I’d guess the latter).
Better than never. Wish it looked better/different from the SRX.
Ay, there’s the rub! Should’ve just been called the SRX.
Yes. And they should have left CTS as a 3 series competitor. Just as they’re gotten name recognition for their alphanumerics, Cadillac has thrown it all away to try and make a morel logical naming system. Contrary to what people on this site will continually say, actual names aren’t really important, but having monikers that people recognize and understand *is* important. And CTS finally had some cachet as a competitor for the C-class, A4, and 3 series, and then they went and tried to make it into a 5-series/A6/E-class competitor and hiked up the price by $10-15k. It just doesn’t work that way.
And SRX probably has the 2nd most name recognition of any Caddy right now besides Escalade. So what if it doesn’t mean anything or isn’t really a great alphanumeric? XT5 isn’t really any better.
Honestly “CT6” wouldn’t have been bad if they actually had badged it and called it the Cadillac Touring 6. I’m not sure what the X in XT is really supposed to stand for though.
Unpopular opinion: I like the woodgrain on the steering wheel. Very Brougham.
Woodgrain FTW. Love the woodgrain accent’s in the ‘Hoe. Could care less that they aren’t real wood, that only matters on the floors & millwork in my home.
You aren’t the only one. I keep looking at aftermarket interior woodgrain kits for my Highlander. It already rides like a Custom Cruiser, why not complete the effect?
Absolutely. Wood is always better than a plastic or aluminum, or carbon fiber.
According to Cadillac, the XT5 will be built on GM’s new Chi platform that will eventually replace the Lambda (Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave) and Theta (Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Captiva, GMC Terrain, Cadillac SRX) architectures. The wheelbase of the XT5 is 2-inches longer than the SRX, increasing rear legroom by 3.2 inches, while overall length stays roughly the same. XT5’s track is 1-inch wider and overall width is 2.5 inches wider than the outgoing SRX.
Well kiss that cargo space behind the 3rd row of the Lambda’s goodbye… DAMN IT GM. I don’t need nor do I want my only choice to be Suburban if I want some cargo and passengers at the same time.
I would be willing to bet the Chi that underpins the current Lamba CUVs will be a wider, longer version than this*. GM wouldn’t give up their position in the three-row CUV segment so recklessly.
*which begs the question, how much different can you make a platform before you might as well just call it by a different name?
Epsilon, Epsilon II, Super Epsilon…
Epsilon, Epsilon, Epsilon!
Yes, basically will be like a SWB and LWB version of the platform.
Yes, this is exactly what the situation will be. The Lambda replacements will probably be a little bit shorter, but they will be significantly larger than this XT5. The XT7 should also be on the LWB version of the Chi platform.
It’s good, Cadillac is giving the people what they want. I don’t really like the back quarters of it, but I’m sure it looks better in person.
I’m a fan. Looks great. This gauge cluster desperately needs to be in the ATS.
Shaving 300 lbs should make that 3.6 really shine.
What, they couldn’t keep a Ford out of their advertising?
It might even be a good vehicle, however, the front end styling and side creases on this beast are awful and not luxury at all. The vehicle looks like it belongs on the lot next to a ’99 trans am.
When did Cadillac decide they wanted to be Pontiac?
Which has more cachet and which would you rather have? A loaded JGC or a comparably priced XT5?
I know which one I’d rather have…
Without question.
For now, neither. The JGC still has Chrysler uneven build quality and the XT5 is a bit pricey for what you get. At this price range I’ll kick up one size class and go for a MDX.
“uneven build quality”
I’ve owned and driven a lot of GM, I’m used to it. JGC me.
Oh, me too. I just find it harder to accept in a family-mobile than in a kid car. Of course, this is coming from a guy whose family-mobile is a Subaru, with the interior quality of a Cozy Coupe, so take it with a grain of salt.
Can’t edit the above… “kid” should be “toy.”
While you were out your wallet called and thanked you for the Subaru purchase.
At this price range I’d find a left over 2015 GLK350 — I like the angular, more masculine looks and the interior is larger than the exterior dimensions would have you believe.
Way more cachet with the Mercedes logo, even if you’re going to have the same level of seat time in the service department thinking, “why did I buy this?”
They haven’t announced pricing so how can you say that?
Thumbnail #1 is Hopper-esque. Because Melody’s brand-bots would catch that.
Poor scrawny chick needs my Polish cooking STAT.
I knew you’d have something to say about that waif of a woman. I’d bet my wife could bench press her. She looks like she weighs 90 lbs.
It just pains me to see women caught in the punitive web of body ideals dominated by gay male fashion moguls.
Men On Fashion.
T&A in a nice sweater always works for me.
I thought she was just being stalked by that older man, as she looks quite concerned.
Maybe she stole his old army jacket to make the ugly skirt.
Maybe it’s a promo for Inception II.
Well if she’s Ellen’s replacement, I approve.
More like 118 lbs.
You are right. She’s probably at least 5’9″.
I have to say that I like this. Looks premium and unique but not over the top.
Interior looks quite nice as well.
And honestly I’m very glad to see no 2.0L. I love some of the 2.0L turbo 4s out there, but they simply have no place in a luxury car. BMW and Audi included.
In a higher income bracket, I’d be prime picking for Cadillac. I loved the last 2 CTSs. But I have to say with their pricing, and downright mediocre reliability ratings lately, they’d have to really win me over in other ways.
I want to believe Cadillac can do it. But they always seem to get like 1 thing never quite right. Finally get the ATS and CTS to drive better than anything else… Screw up the space in the car and put a junky cue system in it. Last CTS drove nicely but felt very cramped, small seat up front in a rather large car. This kinda thing.
If they can ever put it all together, I think they can still thrive. I really thought after that last CTS, which was “Right There” they’d nail the next gen cars… And instead they got worse. Maybe this is the car to start correcting that.
woof. that nose, those stupid vertical LED running lights, that beltline, the CUE-tastic interior, now with more joystick…
Nope.
There really needs to be an ASCII emoticon that says “Worse than a turd & tobacco juice float”.
Welcome to the Millennial car.
“DARE GREATLY”
Cadillac GAVE UP when they moved away from RWD platforms and switched to this FWD/ AWD garbage – instead of improving RWD/ AWD.
You wanna “dare greatly”?
-POWERED HEADRESTS
-POWERED THIGH CUSHIONS
-HEATED/COOLED SEATS
-LUMBAR MASSAGE CUSHIONS
All as STANDARD.
Put the Supercharged 6.2-Liter V8 from the CTS-V in your high-end trims and stop bullshitting.
You still won’t have as much power as HELLCAT
But you’ll have something to talk about.
My aunt still has a first-gen SRX with V8 and fully loaded with Nav, moonroof and powerfold 3rd row.
FUN TO DRIVE.
The 2nd gen SRX and this sucks really bad.
At least they kept the 3.6-L.
And before you knock the 3rd row, her youngest son is shorter than 5’5 and has always fit back there.
I can’t imagine that any of the models that appear in the XT5 pictures could name a Cadillac vehicle if their life depended on it.
They’re drawn on a computer, so you’re likely correct.
CAD started going electronic in the mid 80s (on VAX) and by the late 90s had usurped paper which by then was still used to a degree but was phased out in trade schools.
Guess who took Mechanical Drafting in high school around this time? This guy. T-Square FTW.
FUN FACT: MicroStation and what became AutoCAD were available on UNIX minicomputers initially but then MicroStation became available for DOS, and later Windows NT became the dominant platform. Why? Windows NT (3.51/4.0) licensing was so much cheaper than a UNIX licence and Linux was still in its infancy and not widely used.
This thing looks like a winner. It looks way better and way more premium than the latest Lexus RX350, and has a similar V6 engine and similar interior space. Lexus has really opened the door for some competitors with the hideous and divisive styling on the latest models, and this Caddy just might be good enough to capitalize on that.
Cadillac could really use a home run right now and I think this hits the mark.
It does nothing for me. The Cadillac engineers swung for the fences with all their might, but the bean counters bought their bat at Walmart… and it’s a blooper to left, caught in front of the warning track for an out.
Those ghetto headlights they insist on continuing to use make this a non-starter for me, not to mention it looks like a slightly dressed up version of less models/brands, which it is I guess.
How is it a dressed up version of a lesser model/brand when it’s the first vehicle released on this platform?