2027 Cadillac XT5 Could Be Imported To US from China

The current Cadillac XT5 is in desperate need of a new generation, having been introduced way back in the 2017 model year. Cadillac’s mid-size crossover did receive a facelift for the 2020 model year, but it’s still highly outdated compared to rivals. General Motors has not officially confirmed that the XT5 will be replaced in the US market, but an all-new version of this model already exists in China.

Cadillac has yet to confirm if the Chinese market XT5 will come stateside, but we have an insider source that says this model will be available here. A GM product expert told CarBuzz the next-generation XT5 will arrive as a 2027 model, and it will likely be some form of hybrid. We were not told if GM will localize production of the XT5 at a North American factory, or if it plans to incur the tariffs from China. GM already sells the Chinese-built Buick Envision in the US, so tariffs may not prevent the XT5 from coming as well.

The Chinese Market Cadillac XT5

Our unnamed source stressed that Cadillac still believes that gas-powered vehicles are important despite the recent success of EVs like the Lyriq. The Chinese market XT5 currently uses a 2.0-liter LXH turbocharged four-cylinder from GM’s Ecotec series of engines, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is different from the LSY engine used in the American market XT5, even though both share a 2.0-liter displacement.

The Chinese market gets a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup, which could be what our source was referencing. This mild-hybrid powertrain produces around the same output as today’s XT5 (237 hp and 258 lb-ft). We expect the 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 to be dropped in the next generation.

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The new XT5 looks far sharper and handsomer, but is it American enough?

More importantly, the Chinese XT5 feels like a much newer vehicle, both inside and out. The styling looks more inline with Cadillac’s other crossovers with split headlights, 20- or 21-inch wheels, and optional Brembo brakes. Inside, the 33-inch curved display that was first seen in the Lyriq, finally makes its way to the XT5. Oddly, Cadillac updated the smaller XT4 with this screen, but never added it to the XT5. CarBuzz will update this story with any official word from Cadillac, but we don’t expect the company to speak about future products.

Are More Cadillac EVs Coming?

Along with the news of a new XT5 from China, our source told us to expect two new electric sedans from Cadillac. This could be substantial news, as these could be the long-rumored replacements for the CT4 and CT5. Cadillac did recently give the CT5 a facelift, but the CT4 is starting to get a little long in the tooth. If this rumor turns out to be true, it will be nice to see Cadillac keep the sedan segment alive after so many automakers abandoned it.

Way back in 2021, Cadillac filed trademarks for a number of names that end in IQ. We’ve seen several of these already, including Vistiq and Escalade IQ. The only names yet-to-be-revealed are Ascendiq and Lumistiq. These names don’t immediately scream “sedan,” but there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to Cadillac’s EV names, aside from Escalade IQ. Our source seemed more confident about the XT5 news versus the EV sedans, but believes these models are coming (to a lesser extent).