We first caught a glimpse of Cadillac’s facelifted 2020 XT5 SUV last year, and now we finally get to see it without camouflage.
Yes, this is the 2020 Cadillac XT5, even though the leaked photos come from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
As you can see, the mid-cycle refresh brings very subtle styling updates. At the front, changes include the addition of a mesh pattern for the grille, in a similar fashion to the smaller XT4. Another XT4-inspired decision is the reorganization of the XT5 range into Premium Luxury and Sport grades.
The former will get bright body accents (including on the grille), while the latter will replace the bright accents with black ones. Another update is the slightly larger lower grille. Moving on, the shape of the headlights stays the same but the inside structure has been redesigned, with the round projector replaced by an LED lighting element.
At the rear, the revamped SUV still sports boomerang-shaped taillights, albeit with a new LED signature that makes them look more modern. Premium Luxury models feature red taillamps while Sport models adopt a transparent design. As for the side, things don’t change much compared to the current model, with the exception of XT5 Sport models that gain black surround trim for the windows.
Expect to see XT6 features inside
There are no photos of the interior yet, but the refreshed XT5 should gain XT6-inspired goodies such as a new steering wheel and rotary controls for the infotainment system. Expect the semi-autonomous Super Cruise system to be added as well.
Besides the modest styling updates, the 2020 Cadillac XT5 will gain an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (code-named LSY) rated at 237 hp (241 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. While that’s less power than what the current LTG unit offers on the China-spec XT5, the new power plant is said to be significantly more refined.
The new engine will be mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission instead of the current eight-speed. While the four-pot has, until now, been exclusive to China, it might find its way Stateside, too. The 310hp 3.6-liter V6 engine will carry over in North America, but will replace the eight-speed auto with a nine-speed unit as well.
The 2020 Cadillac XT5 should be revealed in the first quarter of this year, likely at the 2019 New York Auto Show in April, before arriving in dealerships in summer.