The Cadillac XT5 debuted for the 2017 model year, dropping in as the luxury brand’s latest midsize crossover offering and replacing the Cadillac SRX. The 2020 model year brought a mid-cycle refresh for the model, including a revamped trim level cadence with the adoption of Cadillac’s Y trim level strategy, as well as new grille treatments. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the XT5’s two grilles with the following Cadillac Society comparison.
Before we start, it’s worth pointing out that the Cadillac XT5 is now available in the following three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport, with the Luxury offered as the entry-level model, and the Premium Luxury and Sport offered as opposing ends of Caddy’s Y trim level strategy. The entry-level Luxury and Premium Luxury use the same grille treatment, while the Sport gets its own treatment.
With that, let’s check out what differs between these two grilles.
XT5 Premium Luxury
XT5 Sport
From the off, it’s clear that the grille insert is a major point of departure here. The grille on the Luxury and Premium Luxury uses a horizontally oriented mesh design with broad, polished sections, whereas the Sport model gets a tighter insert mesh with black used for the coloring.
XT5 Premium Luxury
XT5 Sport
This difference complements the other aesthetic differences between the trim levels, which includes bright accents for the Luxury and Premium Luxury, and black accents for the Sport. The accents can be found on the roof rails and side window surround (daylight opening, or DLO).
The rest of the grille treatment is familiar, with a chrome surround and the iconic Cadillac crest placed high on the grille. We covered the aesthetic reasoning behind the placement of the Caddy crest in an earlier post.
Premium Luxury
XT5 Sport
Prior to the introduction of the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT5 was offered in four trim levels, including the base-level XT5, followed by the Luxury and Premium Luxury. The range-topping trim was the Platinum, which came with its own unique grille treatment featuring tight horizontal slats. The 2019 Cadillac XT5 was also offered with the Sport Package, which added a black finish to the grille. However, the take-rate for the Sport Package was relatively low.
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Randy Rogers
Myself, I believe a Brand should have continuity of Design through the Collection, regardless, but specifically as to it’s position on the Luxury ladder.
One can do whatever they need to attract the purchaser in Utilatarian Brands, Copy, whatever, but always “Fashions Change, Icons are Constant”. To me, the new Grill is a vast improvement and fits all the current Brand’s Collection, save possibly for the Squared behemoth Escalade. From the Design News, the EV looks to carry a new softer direction from the “Stealth Fighter” lines, so all should be directed in that direction, not fixing a short-term issue. Acura comes to mind with their notorious “beaked” nose of the 2000’s after 2005, it cost them Market Position, Consumers etc. the Front facie is key.
Raymond Ramirez
So you are also one of those who considered the Ford Edsel of the 1960’s ugly because of the oval grille? I have seen up close one of them around 1964 and it is noot that ‘ugly”.
Ronald J Kappus
Very well done and appropriate distinction between the 2 models. Very clean design. Grills have become the signature face of an automobile. Cadillac is accomplishing that end.
Raymond Ramirez
The Sport grille will be easier to clean. Less chrome is much better, too. I have been washing cars since 1962 (my uncle’s 1955 Chevy Bel-Air) and I know what surfaces are easier to wash and clean. An all black grille is the best for any car.