Cadillac’s recent updates to the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing brought a refreshed new look to the popular rear-drive sedan to lure punters away from BMW’s M5, Audi RS6 and Mercedes-Benz E63.
While changes to the front end look different enough to call it a facelift, it’s missing something around the back, something vastly more substantial – a wagon variant. Sure, a long-roof body style would be a fanciful proposition, but does it have merit?
Those in the industry are under no illusion that wagons are a niche business. GM’s luxury division had played this dice before with the CTS Wagon (with limited success).
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Around the dawn of Covid’s arrival, Cadillac chief engineer Brandon Vivian had considered the idea when speaking as a guest appearance on Autoline’s Afterhours Show. However, since the CT5 is midway through its lifecycle, any realistic chance of it happening has oversteered into oblivion.
Fortunately, our digital crayons offer an idea of what it could have looked like based on the mid-cycle refresh, which brought a redesigned grille and front fascia with black mouldings, new vertical LED headlamps, a lower aero kit and front fenders.
While the tail lamps and bumper have been left unchanged, the roofline has been raised towards the rear before it cascades into the D-pillar in an Audi-like fashion. Mirroring the design of its sedan sibling, the shoulder line has an up-kick just below the rear quarter glass, while an upright tailgate and roof rails tick all the wagon’s practical boxes.
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The CT5-V sedan has one of the smallest trunk capacities of the mid-size luxury class at 11.9 cubic feet. Without stretching the wheelbase, our wagon proposition would be an improvement but not class-leading. Still, it would be a better place for rear occupants, with increased headroom and easier access (aka less head banging).
As with the sedan, a revised cabin would bring a 33-inch-diagonal LED colour touchscreen display and an in-vehicle Performance Data Recorder that incorporates everything from a lap analyser tool to a live data feed that can be viewed via the vehicle’s head-up display. Super Cruise driver assistance technology and Google built-in that bundles in Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play round out the tech highlights.
The powers that be
The 2025 V6-powered CT5-V and V8-powered CT5-V Blackwing
Ideally, the wagon would utilize the same powertrains, too, with the CT5-V getting a 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 generating 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft torque, powering all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, V8 fans would still have access to a 6.2-litre Supercharged unit developing a thunderous 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft torque. This Blackwing variant would remain RWD only, sending power to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or 10-speed auto.
Ultimately, while it’s wishful thinking from us for now, the reality is that another generation of CT5 must be in the works before a wagon is even considered. With Cadillac’s ambition to go all-EV, the chances of that happening are slim.
Would you like to see a CT5-V wagon? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Note: The illustrations in this article are not related to nor endorsed by Cadillac.
