Even though the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is aimed at being a strong entry for buyers that typically shop in what the brand calls the “Lux 3” segment (we are still scratching our heads on that statement) which includes rivals such as the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes C-Class, the car’s dimensions also cause it to fall into the same size category as the larger BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6. This situation reminds us of the second generation CTS sedan, which originally straddled the line between these two sedan classes, but whereas that model had enough flexibility to spawn a coupe and even a station wagon version during its time in production, it appears that the CT5 will follow a more focused script this time around (for now.)
This came to light during a recent interview that CT5 chief engineer Michael Bridle had with the folks at Motor1.com, where he mentioned that “As far as additional body styles we can’t announce anything right now.” While this particular response and its open ended nature may leave a lot of questions unanswered, looking at things in closer detail does reveal some key reasons for Cadillac’s decision to not move forward with any exotic variants of the CT5. A big one is the engineering challenges involved, Bridle revealed that a liftback version of the car was considered, but ultimately, the configuration would have added too much weight in a higher area of the car than the sedan, and it would have also not achieved Cadillac’s stiffness targets, despite looking distinctive in its own right with a sloped roof.
A secondary one is potentially weak sales for a potential wagon and coupe variant. While the CTS coupe and wagon did prove that the car was indeed flexible enough to support them, the duo were in decidedly niche segments, and as a result sales were much smaller, especially for the wagon. With Cadillac currently in the midst of transforming its portfolio into one that is more focused on offering higher selling crossover and SUV models, the loss of two low selling sub-models for the broader gains created by having three key utility offerings is an understandable sacrifice, though it also translates into Cadillac not having a coupe in its production car lineup with the departure of the smaller ATS.
Despite this, the CT5 sedan still intends to make good on the promises and hidden potential that its Alpha platform underpinnings achieved in the ATS and CTS, while also delivering a more refined ride and better technology than both of those offerings combined. The CT5 also boasts 11.5 cubic feet of trunk space, as well as a 60/40 split folding rear seat which should be more than enough space for the bulk of luxury sedan buyers. Look for the CT5 to begin making its way to dealerships this fall, with sightings appearing to suggest that a more performance focused CT5-V model is being cooked up by Cadillac engineers.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.