Cadillac is making rapid progress with the transformation of its all-electric lineup, and now the marque’s cheapest gas-powered crossover is going faster than expected
General Motors is doing more than talking about switching to electric vehicles. The American automaker continues its promise by cutting new gas-powered cars out of its range, this time from a focus on luxury. The Cadillac XT4, the brand’s most affordable crossover, is getting the ax right come January 2025.
The Cadillac XT4 has only seen six years on the market
Announced for the 2019 model year, the Cadillac XT4 has become the most expensive model in the brand’s lineup. Beginning below $35,000, the 2019 Cadillac XT4 has received mixed reviews, from a responsive turbocharged engine to a ride that could use some refinement
Five years later, the 2024 model arrived with a redesigned interior and exterior, complete with headlights similar to the Cadillac Lyric EV. That’s not all the XT4 borrows from Cadillac’s EVs though as well as the cabin, the XT4 comes with Lyriq’s 33-inch infotainment display, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
For the final model year, the Cadillac XT4 lost the Luxury trim level but retained the Active Safety Package as standard on all other trims. The 2025 XT4 offers one last hurray before disappearing, maintaining its position as the brand’s most expensive crossover with prices starting near the $40,000 MSRP
The Cadillac XT4 does have a successor, at least in spirit. The Cadillac Optiq XT4 takes the place of the brand’s smallest and most expensive crossover – and it’s an EV.
The XT4 production line will also be retooled for EVs
Time-wise, the breakout of the Cadillac XT4 is unexpected. GM previously said the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt EV will have a temporary pause in the model’s production line to allow for factory retooling. Originally, GM planned to build the XT4 and Bolt EV on the same assembly line but it looks like those plans have changed as the plant will now be exclusive to the Bolt
Plans for the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas remain unchanged, as GM moves forward with a $390 million investment. The retooling will keep assembly lines quiet year-round. As a result, GM’s closure means suppliers have to cut costs, costing about 1,000 local jobs. Some suppliers, such as Yanfeng and OPMobility, will permanently close their manufacturing plants.
The Cadillac XT4 is just the latest casualty in a long line of offerings
General Motors has been swept up recently, and the Cadillac XT4 is the most recent model to leave the market in 2025. Perhaps the most notable is the Chevrolet Camaro, a staple in the muscle car segment and one of the few American competitors Ford The Mustang version of the Ford Mustang. The sixth-generation Camaro officially dropped out of the lineup after the 2024 model year but there is hope for an updated Camaro sometime in the future.
“While we’re not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured, this isn’t the end of the Camaro story,” Global Chevrolet’s VP, Chevrolet, said.
Final thoughts
GM is clearly accelerating its timeline when it comes to EV production by cutting the Cadillac XT4 earlier than expected. The Chevrolet Malibu, which will cease production in November, marks another casualty as the age of electrification continues. But it’s the loss of the Chevrolet Camaro that hits the hardest among enthusiasts. Thankfully, it looks like the famed muscle car won’t be gone for good.
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