China’s Cadillac Xt5 Has A Plug And Lidar, Yours Has 2016 Written All Over It

GM may have several electric vehicles in its arsenal, but it’s not putting all its bets on one power source just yet. According to recent comments from CEO Mary Barra, the automaker is developing a lineup of hybrid powertrains for North America.

Read: Barra’s Playing Both Sides On EVs, Just In Case The White House Changes

The first of these may still be a few years away, but elsewhere, things are moving faster. A new plug-in hybrid version of the Cadillac XT5 is already nearing launch, though it won’t be headed to the U.S. anytime soon. Instead, it’s China that’s getting the upgraded model first.

The XT5’s Split Evolution

The second-generation XT5 is currently a China-only affair. Meanwhile, American buyers are still being offered the first-gen model, now approaching its tenth year on sale. It’s an unusual product split, and one that won’t be resolved until late 2027, when the next-generation XT5 is expected to arrive in the U.S.

In the meantime, the Chinese-market XT5 is not only newer but is also on the receiving end of a round of significant updates, as previewed by these spy shots making the rounds on Chinese social media.

As reported by Tycho de Feijter on his X account, at the heart of those changes is a new powertrain. A prototype recently spotted during winter testing appears to be fitted with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine rated at 154 hp (115 kW), working in tandem with a 221 hp (165 kW) electric motor.

Battery specifications haven’t been disclosed yet, though details are expected soon via regulatory filings from Chinese authorities.

Currently, the XT5 in China comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering 227 hp. It’s not yet clear whether the new plug-in hybrid setup will replace that engine entirely or be offered alongside it.

Either way, the presence of a new powertrain marks a significant shift in Cadillac’s Chinese product strategy.

Beyond the powertrain, Cadillac is preparing a more ambitious leap in technology. The prototype spotted in testing carries a LiDAR sensor mounted on its roof, making it the first Cadillac model to include such hardware.

While GM’s own hands-free driving system, Super Cruise, is available in North America., the Chinese-market XT5 will be equipped with Xiaoyao, a driver-assistance system developed jointly by GM-SAIC and local tech firm Momenta.

Cadillac’s First LiDAR

According to reports, Xiaoyao’s capabilities go beyond typical lane centering and adaptive cruise. It’s designed to handle assisted driving in highway and urban environments, as well as in traffic and during parking maneuvers.

For North America, however, a comparable system won’t be available until 2028. That delay highlights just how far Chinese models have advanced in driver-assistance tech, even within the same automaker’s global lineup

Photos Weibo, Autohome