In recent years, Cadillac and Lincoln – a pair of traditional luxury vehicle rivals – have seemingly begun to go in very different directions, at least, as it pertains to powertrains. While Lincoln has put its electrified ambitions largely on hold, Cadillac continues to expand its EV lineup – even though it no longer plans to go fully electric by 2030, as previously expected. While Lincoln also offers a pair of plug-in hybrids, Cadillac won’t be going that route either, and now, that same brand has opted to kill off its Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator rivals altogether, too.
According to GM Authority, both the Cadillac XT5 and XT6 will be discontinued in North America after the conclusion of the 2025 model year, though both will live on in China. The Spring Hill plant where both ICE crossovers are currently built will shift to the recently-revealed Cadillac Vistiq, which will be built alongside the Lyriq and Acura ZDX that are currently in production there – meaning that the plant will only build full-blown EVs moving forward.
With production of the XT4 – a Lincoln Corsair rival – also ending this month, that will leave just three ICE-powered models in the Cadillac lineup – the Escalade, CT4, and CT5. It’s a pretty massive departure from Lincoln’s current strategy, as Ford’s luxury arm previously expected to add an electrified option across its entire existing lineup in the coming years, all while adding new EVs as well. This all changed back in March 2024, when Lincoln President Dianne Craig announced that the brand was making a big shift in terms of its future plans.
“We’re not going to make any grand declarations specific to where the brand is going with electrification until we really understand what our premium customers want,” Craig said at that time. “The time will come, for sure, but right now we are focused on the wonderful product lineup we have between the Corsair, Nautilus, and new Aviator. There is transition with any technology including electric vehicles. We’ll eventually come to that tipping point. But right now (from) everything we are learning from our customers, now is not the right time for us to be making those declarations about EVs.”
Comments
Has to be good news for Lincoln Dealerships.
It seems like a million years ago now, but I leased an XT5 from 2018 to 2021. The other option was a Nautilus, but the Lincoln dealer was such an idiot that I walked away.
I enjoyed driving the XT5. It was a great vehicle for a road trip, had a good size cargo area, and was well-built. I even got used to the weird electronic shifter. The car was built in Lansing, so I appreciated keeping Michiganders employed.
But GM did nothing to improve or update the XT5 and over the years, it became very dated. What was once a handsome instrument panel and dash was entirely obsolete by the time I traded it in. The exterior styling was also in desperate need of a refresh that never came.
Going all-electric only works if Cadillac’s target customer lives in a suburban home with a 2-car garage and can install a Level 2 charger, doesn’t take long road trips, has an extra $10-15K to drop on a vehicle, and doesn’t mind paying for new tires and shocks every couple of years. They’ll also have to count on a buyer who doesn’t mind driving a vehicle that makes the Pontiac Aztek look sexy.
To be clear, Lincoln is currently only offering one plug-in-Hybrid. The Corsair G/T
Return the Nautilus production to North America. If I want an Asian luxury car then I will buy a Genesis or Lexus. I’m not interested in subsidizing the Chinese Communist Party.
Cadillac’s model lineup has been confusing to me for years. I’m a car geek and I couldn’t tell you the name of any of their current offerings except the Blackwing. It doesn’t help that their styling sucks compared to the new Lincolns.
Glad Lincoln is staying with ICE vehicles. But, I will never replace my Canadian built Nautilus with a Chinese built car!!!
GM is going the way of the DoDo! Open you eyes GM, look at Stelantis, oh we’re going all electric, sales dropped, going out of business, then the CEO quits or gets fired and now the Hemi is coming back! Know your audience!!!!
Last year Cadillac was our runner up. But for us it was a bit on the small side. SUV wise.
Where is my Ford EDGE???? I want a Ford mid size and have it made in North America. I can’t afford Lincolns….