The refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 made its big debut in September 2023 before starting production in May 2024, bringing the much-anticipated mid-cycle update to the luxury sedan. The update is headlined by a reworked front end and overhauled cockpit, and Cadillac Society is now taking a close look to see exactly what’s different about the two models.
Right away, we can see that the most glaring difference between the 2025 CT5 and its pre-refresh counterpart is the front end, but more specifically, the headlights. Where the pre-refresh CT5 featured horizontally-oriented forward-facing headlights, the refreshed model now boasts vertically stacked lamps within the primary headlight cluster to light the way ahead. Atop the headlights, the refreshed CT5 gains a horizontal lighting strip, which also extends to beneath the seam of the hood. These function as the turn signal indicators and emergency flashers.
Another big difference between the two luxury sedans are the vertical Daylight Running Lights (DRLs), which run down either side of the front fascia. While the pre-refresh CT5 features a broken up lighting strip, the 2025 CT5 boast uninterrupted lighting elements that stretch down either side of the fascia, hemming in the stacked headlight clusters.
The lower fascia has also been updated. The pre-refresh CT5 features a lower grille that bleeds into the lower trim elements. The 2025 CT5, meanwhile, features a lower grille that is its own element. The new shape gives the CT5 a snarl-like appearance than its grinning pre-refresh counterpart.
Beyond the changes associated with the headlights, the refreshed CT5 sees no changes to the side profile compared to its pre-refresh counterparts. Note that the refreshed CT5 retains the C-pillar “kink”, an element that found some controversy upon the CT5’s reveal and launch for the 2020 model year. Similarly, the rear of the refreshed CT5 doesn’t see any changes, and is identical to the 2024 model year.
Inside, however, the refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 has notable changes. Its cockpit now features a large, curved 33-inch LED color touchscreen lifted straight from the Lyriq and refreshed 2024 XT4. This replaces the two screens found in the pre-refresh CT5, which includes separate displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system; in the refreshed CT5, the curved screen comprises both displays. Below the new screen, though, the refreshed CT5 retains the same vent and climate control interface layout as the pre-refresh luxury sedan. The same holds for the center console.
As reminder, the 2025 Cadillac CT5 ditches the base Luxury trim, leaving Premium Luxury and Sport as the only trims for the “regular” CT5 range. That change results in a much higher starting price point than its 2024 model year counterpart. The refreshed 2025 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury and Sport began production at the Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan in May.
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One of four new colors for the 2025 model year.
And it now represents the best value in its segment.
A curious sighting from a video of the Cadillac design studio.
