A new spy photo of the recently-captured 2020 Cadillac XT5 prototype suggests that the midsize crossover’s cabin will receive a fairly substantial revamp.
Captured as the XT5 prototype was parked between testing rounds in Arizona, the shot shows a cabin that is completely covered up. Notably, this isn’t something Cadillac typically does with vehicle refreshes, instead reserving such high levels of camouflage when testing prototypes of all-new model. And given that the XT5 is in for a mid-cycle enhancement (aka refresh or facelift) for the 2020 model year and not a full-on overhaul, seeing the heavy camo is peculiar.
Here’s what’s probably taking place: the 2020 XT5 will likely get a revamped interior in much the same way that the facelifted 2019 Cadillac CT6 saw its cabin updated over the 2016-2018 model. That means the the midsize Cadillac crossover will get new rotary controls for the infotainment system along with a new gear selector/shifter. In fact, we can see the new shifter peeking out from under the camo. The new shifter and controls for the CUE system were most recently introduced on the updated 2019 Cadillac CT6 and all-new 2019 Cadillac XT4. Other updates to the cabin of the 2020 XT5 might also be possible but, despite the vast amounts of camo, we wouldn’t hold our collective breath.
Expect the facelifted and updated 2020 Cadillac XT5 to be unveiled before the end of the 2018 calendar year and launch in the summer-spring time frame as a 2019 model year vehicle.
Raymond Ramirez
I prefer the name of “gear selector”. Actually it is a “mode selector” since no gears are being shifted or selected. It is a joystick control that modern Cadillac drivers will enjoy more than the traditional shifter.
Alex Luft
I agree with you in theory, but if we use the term “mode selector”, then one would have to say that they’re shifting into the “Drive Mode” or “Reverse Mode”… which sounds rather strange.