The 2027 Cadillac XT5 Might Be Made in China

An Aging Nameplate That Still Sells

The Cadillac XT5 has been a mainstay in the brand’s SUV lineup since it debuted in 2016. It quickly became Cadillac’s bestseller in 2017. And while it received a minor facelift for 2020, the midsize crossover is nearing its 10th year in the market, so it’s showing its age compared to fresher luxury rivals.

GM has yet to formally announce a successor for the US market, leaving Cadillac dealers with an increasingly outdated product in showrooms. Despite the age, the XT5 continues to sell, with Cadillac moving around 26,432 units in 2024.

Thankfully, a fully redesigned XT5 already exists, but only in China for now. That may change in a few years as CarBuzz reports that a source within GM has confirmed the all-new model will eventually make its way to American roads, arriving as a 2027 model year. The catch? It may come from China, and that means buyers could end up paying more due to tariffs and import costs.

Next-Gen XT5 Might Be Imported from China

According to the report, a GM product expert revealed that the new XT5 will likely be hybridized in some form when it enters the US market. However, the insider did not confirm whether Cadillac plans to build the vehicle in Tennessee or import it directly from China. 

If it’s the latter, the XT5 will follow the path of the Buick Envision, which is currently being imported from China to America. However, as mentioned, pricing will be tricky given the recently imposed 100% tariff on Chinese-made products.

Cadillac declined to comment on future product speculation, but confirmed that the XT5 is a strong product in the People’s Republic. Of note, the XT5 is at a competitive position in China, priced around $39,500 to $47,900 (at the current exchange rates). Meanwhile, the 2025 Cadillac XT5 in the US starts at $44,295.

China’s XT5 Is Bigger, Sharper, and Smarter

The new XT5 sold in China represents a massive leap forward in design, tech, and performance. It rides on a larger platform with a bolder design featuring a wide grille, split LED lighting, Brembo brakes, and a “floating” roof.

Inside, the cabin is heavily inspired by the Lyriq EV, sporting a curved 33-inch digital display, ambient lighting, semi-aniline leather seats, and premium trim. There’s also an adaptive damping suspension, twin-clutch AWD, and a suite of 22 active safety systems.

The Cadillac spokesperson emphasized that GM still sees internal combustion vehicles as critical to its lineup, so there’s a chance that the US-bound redesigned XT5 will use a different 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, making roughly 227 horsepower. The existing 3.6-liter V6 likely won’t survive the generational shift.

If Cadillac brings this version over, it could breathe new life into the aging XT5 nameplate, but with potential costs that go beyond the showroom sticker. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for further development.