Having initially launched for the 2017 model year as a replacement for the SRX, the Cadillac XT5 has been a hit for the luxury automaker. In its four years on the market, the midsize crossover has risen to become Cadillac’s best-selling model around the globe. That turn of events makes sense, considering that the XT5 is a highly-competitive product in the fastest-growing segment in the global luxury car space. But with the introduction of the new Cadillac XT4, the XT5 looks as though it will lose its best-seller title.
Cadillac XT5 sales have dropped off in the recent past. Take, for example, U.S. sales for the 2019 calendar year.
Sales Numbers - Cadillac SUVs - 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q4 19 / Q4 18 | Q4 19 | Q4 18 | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT4 | +17.46% | 8,895 | 7,573 | +310.88% | 31,987 | 7,785 |
| XT5 | -17.77% | 11,168 | 13,582 | -17.64% | 49,879 | 60,565 |
| XT6 | * | 7,169 | 0 | * | 11,559 | 0 |
| ESCALADE | -7.15% | 8,889 | 9,573 | -3.93% | 35,424 | 36,872 |
| TOTAL | +17.55% | 36,121 | 30,728 | +22.45% | 128,849 | 105,222 |
Cadillac XT5 sales in the U.S. decreased 17 percent in 2019, dropping to 49,879 units compared to the 60,565 units sold in 2018. Meanwhile, total sales for Cadillac SUV models rose 22.45 percent to 128,849 units, for which the new XT4 accounted for 31,987 units. In other words, as XT5 sales decrease, XT4 sales increase. And while the XT4 has not overtaken the XT5 as Cadillac’s best-selling model in the United States, that could very well take place in 2020.
We see a similar chain of events in Canada.
Sales Numbers - Cadillac SUVs - 2019 - Canada
| MODEL | Q4 19 / Q4 18 | Q4 19 | Q4 18 | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT4 | +105.19% | 751 | 366 | +703.26% | 3,205 | 399 |
| XT5 | +4.91% | 1,304 | 1,243 | -17.06% | 4,928 | 5,942 |
| XT6 | * | 243 | * | * | 383 | 0 |
| ESCALADE | -14.35% | 392 | 458 | -12.95% | 1,593 | 1,830 |
| TOTAL | +30.16% | 2,690 | 2,067 | +23.72% | 10,109 | 8,171 |
Canadian Cadillac XT5 sales dropped in 2019, falling 17 percent to 4,928 units versus 5,942 units in 2018. Meanwhile, the new XT4 saw 3,205 deliveries, propelling Cadillac utility sales to increase nearly 24 percent to 10,109 units. Much like in the U.S., we can see the XT4 outselling the XT5 in 2020 in Canada.
In fact, the new XT4 is already outselling the Cadillac XT5 in Mexico.
Sales Numbers - Cadillac SUVs - 2019 - Mexico
| MODEL | Q4 19 / Q4 18 | Q4 19 | Q4 18 | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT4 | +101.47% | 137 | 68 | +586.76% | 467 | 68 |
| XT5 | -19.59% | 78 | 97 | -37.43% | 239 | 382 |
| ESCALADE | -35.71% | 72 | 112 | -37.06% | 107 | 170 |
| TOTAL | +3.61% | 287 | 277 | +31.13% | 813 | 620 |
In Mexico, we see a 37 percent decline in Cadillac XT5 sales to 239 units in calendar year 2019 versus 382 units in 2018. However, the XT4 saw 467 sales in 2019, single-handedly causing Cadillac utilities to see a 31 percent improvement in sales volume. Note that the Cadillac XT6 has yet to go on sale in the Mexican market.
It’s not difficult to pinpoint what’s going on with Cadillac XT5 sales. On one side, there’s the XT4 – a smaller crossover that’s not only less expensive, but also a newer product. On the other side is the Cadillac XT6 – a larger model that features another row of seats. And, like the XT4, it’s also a newer product.
So it should come as no surprise that Cadillac XT5 sales are dropping, calling into question whether or not it can maintain its position as the automaker’s top-selling model.
But perhaps that question misses the bigger picture, which is that the XT4, XT5 and XT6 will cumulatively result in higher sales volume for Cadillac, which is ultimately the whole point of new models. But for the time being, we fully expect the XT4 to become the luxury brand’s best-selling crossover and, by association, its best-selling vehicle, which is not at all a demerit for the XT5, since it’s perfectly normal for lower-priced vehicles to outsell larger, higher-priced models in the same lineup.
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Earl Dums
I drove an 2017 XT5 Premium Luxury for 3 years and turned it in for a 2019 XT4 Premium Luxury and Love the vehicle. It drives and handles better and I only gave up some space behind the second row seats.
John Engelman
Nothing here except several uninspiring vehicles…………….
Greg
…..that sell very well.
John Engelman
Sheep will always be sheep!
Greg
I wonder what you call buyers of rhe CT6 of it sold in the numbers the SUV/CUVs do.
I find the term “sheep” is always applied to the buyers of popular vehicles on forums like this. Lile in politics the opposition is called “nazis”, and with about as much reason.
Like it or not John, those “sheep” are the reason Cadillac is still around.
Alex Luft
John – call them whatever you want, but the public at large is obviously liking what Caddy is selling. Whether or not they’re inspiring to you in particular is another story.
Raymond D Royall
When you make a broad statement like uninspiring vehicles you have said exactly nothing. You give no examples of what would be inspiring to you or why. I am on my third Cadillac and I find they drive well, they ride well and after 80,000 miles they do not have the expensive repairs that European makes require. That fact is extremely inspiring to me.
Rich Galinovsky
Cadillac, Do not go to PUSH-BUTTON OR ROTARY DIAL TRANSMISSION SELECTION. Keep the console shifter!!
I JUST THINK IT LOOKS DOPEY. REMINDS ME OF THE OLD PLYMOUTH VALIANT!!!! Lincoln removed the gear selector, and went to push/rotary gear selector, depending on the model…. STRIKE AGAINST THEM… And you lines are crisper,where Lincoln’s are more rounded.
I THINK THE LEXUS RX350 IS A SHARP COMPETITOR, BUT I WILL NOT BUY A FOREIGN VEHICLE.. IT HAS GREAT RATINGS THOUGH AND A REAL GEAR SELECTOR…
SO…. ITS BETWEEN CADILLAC AND LINCOLN…
CANT DECIDE ON XT4 OR XT5 YET??…. SAME ON THE LINCOLNS, Corsair/NAUTILUS????..
Dont knock my reasoning with the gear selector. Years ago,1980,I bought a BUICK RIVERIA OVER AN OLDS.TORANADO BECAUSE OF THE STEERING WHEEL…. POLISH LOGIC ???!!!!
You guys just need to offer better rebates besides $1000, especially when your sales are down 17%+ on the XT5…
HOW ABOUT A TURBO 6 OR SMALL V-8 IN THE 5.. LINCOLN OFFERING 2.7 TURBO IN THE NAUTILUS LOTS OF MORE HP THAN XT5………. COMPETITION GUYS— COMPETITION!!!! NEED SOME POWER!!!!
Bill
I agree. Need optional power choice and leave the gear shifter.
Owen
What about the The rumors of Cadillac bringing back the LSX 2 seater, hard top
Convertible is there any truth to it
Alex Luft
Pipe dream. Not real.
Raymond Ramirez
Gear shifting is a vestigial remainder of the manual transmission, and I agree for the shifter removal. The XT4 is the CUV size most desired by the present market as all the other brands have at least one model in that size category. The 2020 Ford Escape is similar in size but cost much less, and it will have a plug-in hybrid version with a 30 mile EV range, which is ideal for most CUV owners that drive a few miles a day, yet GM has not decided to produce anything that competes. So when the PHEV Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair arrive, the Cadillac XT4 sales will drop.
Alex Luft
Market trends paint a very different picture. EV and PHEV sales are representative of only a very tiny, minuscule portion of the overall market. It’s growing, albeit extremely slowly… which means that your prognosis doesn’t align with reality.
I would bet that the XT4 outsells the Corsair throughout its lifecycle by a healthy margin (barring any sort of production-related disruptions).
Raymond Ramirez
Maybe in your part of the world your post can be certain, but globally, the smarter buyers want more economy and less luxury. The hybrids and electrics are selling well outside of the U.S. so my prognosis is true.
Alex Luft
Oh please.
My “part of the world” deals with cold, hard data. That data shows that alternative energy vehicles continue to sell in extremely limited figures. Sure, there are a few localized exceptions… but the tide has not yet hit. That’s the reality the world lives in… while your “prognosis” might become reality a decade or more from now.
I’ll put it here: supply-related problems notwithstanding, the XT4 will continue to outsell the Corsair, even without an electrified variant. Let’s come back to this in a year from now and see who’s right 😉
Earl Dums
My current ride is a 2019 XT4 and I test drove the Corsair yesterday. Quite, premium interior and handling excellent at this price point.