Production of the Cadillac Lyriq has started in very low numbers so far.
Flagship Cadillac Celestiq debuted in October 2022 as a 2024 model.
Cadillac Escalade-V with supercharged V8 engine arrives.
General Motors’ luxury brand Cadillac has entered a new era as it launched its first fully electric production vehicle, and many more are on the way with a transition to a complete lineup of zero-emission vehicles in North America by 2030.
Meanwhile, the brand currently offers a range of utility vehicles and not one, but two sedans and a third one in the works, along with a few high-performance models as well. Here’s what to expect from the Cadillac brand in 2023, with nameplates listed in alphabetical order.
Cadillac Celestiq
The Cadillac Celestiq will start being built in late 2023 as a 2024 model, but don’t expect to see one hanging around on a dealer lot. The brand’s new flagship is a bespoke, hand-built liftback sedan that will produced in extremely low numbers, and will cost upwards of USD $300,000. The fully electric Celestiq will rely on a dual-motor Ultium system that generates 600 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque, good for 0-to-60 mph (0-to-96 km/h) blasts of 3.8 seconds. Its 111 kWh battery pack is said to provide a driving range of up to 300 miles or 483 km on a full charge.
Cadillac CT4
For 2023, the Cadillac CT4 gets paint colour swaps, while the Diamond Sky Special Edition package has been dropped. After supply chain issues plaguing Super Cruise availability, the drive assist system can now be ordered, which bundles a new Surround Vision Recorder. A Blue Accent package has been added alongside the existing Bronze Accent, Onyx and Radiant appearance packages, while the CT4-V Blackwing can be shipped in an optional enclosed container in the U.S. Three Track Edition variants—called Sebring IMSA Edition, Road Atlanta IMSA Edition and Watkins Glen IMSA Edition—of the CT4-V Blackwing were also introduced in the U.S. only, but the 99 units of each are likely already all spoken for as these lines are being written.
The CT4 is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels. It’s equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L inline-four that develops 237 horsepower, although a turbo 2.7L inline-four with 310 hp is optional, as is AWD. The CT4-V also relies on the 2.7L engine, but with output raised to 325 hp, along with a sportier suspension and looks to match. The CT4-V Blackwing made its official debut in February 2021, equipped with a twin-turbo 3.6L V6 producing 472 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque—with six-speed manual and automatic transmission choices.
Cadillac CT5
The Cadillac CT5 is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trims, along with upper-crust Platinum packages. A turbo 2.0L four with 237 horsepower is standard, while the uplevel engine is a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 with 335 hp, both offered with RWD or AWD. The CT5-V benefits from a 360-hp version of the V6, and the CT5-V Blackwing packs a supercharged 6.2L V8 good for 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque, connected to either a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. For 2023, the CT5 gets paint colour changes and a new Blue Accent package, while in the United States, the CT5-V Blackwing can be ordered with an enclosed shipping container and a very limited 120th Anniversary Edition commemorating Cadillac’s birthday. The Diamond Sky Special Edition package is no more.
Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
The big news for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV lineup is the addition of the hot-blooded Escalade-V, available in both wheelbase lengths. It’s equipped with a supercharged 6.2L V8 belting out 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque, allowing the big SUV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in a claimed 4.4 seconds. The Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum variants can be ordered with a 420-horsepower 6.2L V8 or a turbo-diesel 3.0L inline-six that delivers 277 hp and 460 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard in the U.S., while 4WD is optional, but the only way to go in Canada. The 2023 model year brings paint colour changes, a Surround Vision Recorder and a few other minor tweaks.
Cadillac Lyriq
Production of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq midsize crossover began in the spring of 2022, but only started to seriously ramp up near the end of the calendar year as quality problems were being addressed, and battery packs were in greater supply. The vehicle is built on GM’s new BEV3 platform in addition to using Ultium batteries and Ultium Drive electric motors, while rear-wheel and all-wheel drivetrains are available. The first variant to roll off the assembly line in Tennessee was the Debut Edition, with RWD and a single motor setup producing 325 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. Driving range is pegged at 312 miles or 502 km thanks to its 102 kWh battery pack. Meanwhile, the Lyriq AWD gets a dual-motor setup with 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a driving range estimated at 307 miles or 494 km. the 2024 model is expected to introduce more trim levels, more paint colours and more features.
Cadillac XT4
The brand’s entry-level crossover is the Cadillac XT4, which gets colour changes and some equipment reshuffling for 2023 model year, including more active safety features on all trim levels. The XT4 features a turbocharged 2.0L four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, connected to either a front-wheel or an all-wheel drivetrain. It’s available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels.
Cadillac XT5
The Cadillac XT5 enters the 2023 model year with paint colour replacements and some equipment changes. Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels are offered, the latter two now receiving the Bose 14-speaker sound system, embedded navigation and interior accent lighting as standard. A turbo 2.0L four with 235 horsepower and FWD are standard, while a 310-hp 3.6L V6 and AWD are both available.
Cadillac XT6
For 2023, the Cadillac XT6 receives paint colour changes, while the Bose 14-speaker sound system, embedded navigation, heated rear seats and ventilated front seats are now standard on the Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels. The entry-level XT6 continues to be the Luxury variant, which is equipped with a turbo 2.0L engine producing 235 horsepower. The other two trims get a 310-hp 3.6L V6, with AWD figuring as an option in the U.S. and as standard in Canada.
