[Arminius]

I'm wondering about my next car and considering the transmissions. They are identified by the manufacturer's names and their distinctive numbers of gears/speeds. More speeds is a negative in my book as I found five more than adequate and that was before direct injection and OHCs gave us these long flat torque curves. Anecdotal evidence is a problem as everyone has their own experience but they lack statistical value standing on their own. Reviewers, critics, authorities, class actions and recalls are examples of useful evidence. Stop/start may confuse and compound issues. My 2017 XT5 has the 8-speed AISAN which I've gotten used to (having eliminated stop/start) and which has not drawn controversy. I see the 2019 XT5s still have them! I was looking at the XT4 and read many complaints about the 10-speed GM-FORD transmission. The 2020 XT6 gets the 9-speed ZF box that has had its reported issues.The 2020 XT5 is not described on the Cadillac build site yet, but I would like to know what transmission it will have before the dealer runs out of bargain 2019s with AISANs.

 

[Cutlass]

Where do you get your misinformation?
The XT4 has a GM Hydramatic 9 speed. That trans has been fine except those who have experienced the trans cooler leaking coolant into the trans fluid. The issue was the cooler and not the trans. Put coolant into any transmission and it’ll have major issues.
The XT6, as far as I know has the same GM Hydramatic 9 speed. And the XT5 will probably get the same 9 speed in the future.
Here is where we are lucky. We are lucky that GM is not putting CVT transmissions into our nicer Cadillacs and nicer GM vehicles. And with the number of gears increasing to 8,9, and 10... the CVT days are numbered or it’s basically dead.

 

[Arminius]

Well, I guess that's why we have discussions. I don't know where I got the XT4/10 speed idea. The build site says the 9 speed, the GM Hydramatic. It is good news that it doesn't have serious issues as it seems likely to appear in the 2020 XT5. Agree that CVTs are bad but think the manufacturers' issue is power handling capacity. Another bullet we have dodged so far is the Mercedes mini-hybrid incorporating stop-start into an electric push-off with a small motivating battery on the GLE. Probably eliminates the annoyance of stop-start at the cost of complexity, maintenance, weight, and more sticker shock.