Cadillac's Three-Row Crossover Should Arrive At Detroit

But what will this new model be called?

Cadillac is doing a fine job filling in its SUV lineup with new entry-level models like the new XT4. Likewise, the XT5 is a fairly strong competitor, but then there is a fairly large gap between it and the full-size Escalade. Cadillac has been rumored to be working on a three-row crossover to slot between the XT5 and Escalade for quite some time now, but we have yet to see anything materialize. Now, the rumored crossover could be arriving early next year according to Automotive News.

Cadillac recently trademarked the names XT2 through XT8 and plans to release a redesigned vehicle every six months through 2021. The brand is working on replacements for the ATS and CTS called the CT4 and CT5, but they likely won't be ready for the next big reveal.

Cadillac President Steve Carlisle said a new product will debut at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show in January and the most likely model is the three-row crossover, which is rumored to be called the XT6.

The XT6 would likely ride on an extended version of the C1XX platform, which also underpins the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave. A shorter version of this platform is also used on the GMC Acadia, Cadillac XT5 and upcoming Chevrolet Blazer.

The XT6 will join the fight against three-row crossovers like the Audi Q7, Lexus RX L, and Volvo XC90. Cadillac needs something to bridge the gap between the XT5 and Escalade, as there is currently a roughly $34,000 between those two models. The $75,000 Escalade offers plenty of size, but at a massive cost, while the $41,000 XT5 is far more palatable, but doesn't offer a third row. It may not be as exciting as an ATS-V replacement, but this XT6 could end up being a very important reveal for Cadillac.

Cadillac To Launch A New Blingtastic Three-Row Crossover In 2019

Don't worry, the Escalade isn't going anywhere.

Just after Cadillac CEO Johan de Nysschen denied the report about the CT6 sedan’s impending death, we’re now hearing more about the long rumored three-row crossover the luxury automaker has been developing. Automotive News claims that it will arrive in mid-2019 and it won’t be called XT7 as previously assumed. Instead, XT6 is the chosen name. No reason was given for the numerical downgrade, but what’s important about the XT6 is the fact that it’ll fill the large gap between the XT5 and Escalade.

The XT6 will undoubtedly ride on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the new Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, only it’ll have all of the typical Cadillac luxury add-ons. Its expected direct competition will be the likes of fellow luxury three-row crossovers such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Lexus will also be joining them with the upcoming RX L. While the Escalade does offer a third-row seat, the fact that it’s a pure SUV doesn’t appeal to everyone and, not to mention, it’s not exactly cheap. The XT6 will solve both of those issues. We also hear Cadillac is planning even more crossovers, this time at the opposite end of the size spectrum, in the coming years.

Along with the already confirmed the Audi QX3 rivaling XT4, there’ll also be the XT2 and XT3. Once again, this all brings into question the future survivability factor of Cadillac sedans, specifically the ATS. Global sedan sales, as we all know, are on the decline due to the massive popularity of crossovers. The ATS hasn’t been the strong seller Cadillac had hoped it would be, so there’s a chance it won’t see a new generation if things continue going the way they are. Crossovers, however, are a different story entirely.