Since the Cadillac XT5 has been around for so long, the rest of the midsize luxury SUV market has moved on to more advanced technology and daring redesigns. It is still using the same fundamental formula even after a 2020 makeover. However, Cadillac is not prepared to end the XT5.
The next-generation, combustion-powered XT5 will remain available to American consumers through at least 2027, according to GM. That’s unexpected, especially considering that the most anticipated Cadillac EV drive would eventually knock the XT5 out of the lineup.
However, China may be hinting at what lies ahead. A significantly modified XT5 was recently disclosed in regulatory papers there, and the highlight goes beyond a fresh appearance. The XT5 will have a plug-in hybrid drivetrain for the first time. This is a significant change, suggesting that Cadillac is at last prepared to provide customers a way to maintain their petrol engines while reducing the number of trips to the pump.
An XT5 plug-in hybrid with dual motors and LiDAR
The next Cadillac XT5 plug-in hybrid will offer a number of significant enhancements while maintaining a large portion of the current SUV’s general design, according to Chinese publication Autohome. Split lighting and Cadillac’s iconic grille are still present, but the new LiDAR sensor situated on the roof is the true attraction.
It appears that Cadillac is preparing to provide a far more sophisticated driver assistance system than the one found on the current XT5 by adding more sensors to the front fenders. The Chinese XT5’s dimensions, which are a little over 192 inches long and 77 inches wide, place it squarely in the middle of the midsize luxury SUV market with models like the Lexus RX and BMW X5.
Under the hood, the plug-in hybrid XT5 pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors at the front and rear. The numbers: 154 horsepower from the engine, 215 from the front motor, and 148 from the rear. It even supports V2L charging, so you can power devices directly from the SUV if needed.
One detail you might miss: the visible dual exhausts are gone. The hybrid hides them completely, following the trend we’re seeing in many new electrified crossovers. 
The XT5 isn’t being killed by Cadillac’s EV success
The timeliness of this development adds to its intrigue. With EVs like the Lyriq, Cadillac has been gaining significant traction, and the brand just surpassed 100,000 EV sales worldwide as more affluent consumers turn from Tesla to conventional premium automakers. Cadillac isn’t prepared to abandon gas-powered SUVs, though.
According to internal memos, the XT5 will continue to be produced in Tennessee after 2026. A new or updated model is planned for 2027. For the time being, Cadillac would be better off sticking with the XT5. The next XT5 might be a completely different SUV than the one that has been silently ageing on showroom floors for years if the plug-in hybrid from China influences what we get in the US.
