The 2020 Cadillac XT5 Gets A Mid-Cycle Refresh

For 2020, the Cadillac XT5 received a mid-cycle refresh that gave it an updated exterior, interior and powertains.

The XT5 hit the spot for Cadillac. Being the best seller of the lineup, it proves the point that North Americans shopping in the domestic market are gravitating towards SUVs – not to mention China’s overall enthusiasm for the model and the overall brand. But the XT5, like any other automotive creation, reached a mid-life point where it needed a few tweaks to keep its momentum. Here’s how Cadillac refined its XT5 for 2020.

First off, the XT5 joins Cadillac’s new dual-personality vision, offering a base variant, a refinement-inclined model as well as a new Sport variant. This grade philosophy further aligns with the XT6 model’s lineup. Hence, available variants are as follows: Luxury (available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations), Premium Luxury (all-wheel drive only) and Sport. The ladder offers a darker appearance, with less metallic and chrome accents. This one also comes standard all-wheel drive. Moreover, each variant can be enhanced with a Platinum package.

All trims feature a slightly retouched fascia with added chrome inserts, with LED headlamps with IntelliBeam that come standard on all models. A new 18-inch wheel design is standard on Luxury and Premium Luxury and a new 20-inch wheel design is available on both these trims. The XT5 Sport features a set of 20-inch wheels as standard equipment.

Cadillac’s Four-Cylinder Turbo Joins The XT5 Party

2020 Cadillac XT5 | Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube

The big news under the hood is that Cadillac’s 2.0L turbocharged engine is joining the lineup as a new “smaller” engine option, outputting 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It is standard in the entry-level Luxury trim as well as the Premium Luxury variant.

The trusty 310 horsepower 3.6L V6 engine remains, and it propels the Sport model but can be chosen as an option on the Premium Luxury model.

The new four-banger uses the same nine-speed automatic transmission as the 3.6 Liter V6. But Cadillac claims that the shift calibration in the Sport model’s 3.6 Liter has been tweaked for reactivity.

Underneath the body panels, the Luxury and Premium Luxury models get revised suspension components to further improve their cushy ride reputation. At the other end, the new Sport model offers standard dual-clutch Sport Control AWD with Active Yaw Control, Continuous Damping Control adaptive suspension and a quicker steering ratio than the other variants.

Added Tech And Safety

Inside the cabin, Cadillac claims the XT5 gained in connectivity and user-friendliness, with the latest Cadillac user experience interface and the new rotary controller with new jog functionality. Revised USB ports – with added USBC units -, 15-watt wireless charging, new instrument cluster display options, higher-resolution display HD Rear Vision Camera, a new Rear Pedestrian Alert system, a new available Bose Performance Series sound system and a few other gadgets are included in this year’s revamp.

Cadillac also added new interior colour and trims, a revised centre console design, standard heated front seats and more acoustic insulation to further insulate the cabin from the outside world’s hustle and bustle.

This revamped 2020 Cadillac XT5 will be in dealerships this fall.