Don’t Sleep On the Cadillac CT5-V: Review

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will get all the eye, what with its supercharged engine and six-speed guide. However slotted neatly between the bottom CT5 and the full-bore Blackwing is the CT5-V—a strong but oft-forgotten efficiency automotive.

The CT5-V packs a still-powerful twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, Magnetic Experience Management, and thanks to some updates for 2025, a premium inside with Cadillac’s newest and biggest infotainment know-how. And for simply $58,390 to begin, it is a fairly strong efficiency cut price.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cadillac’s twin-turbo V-6 is a easy operator. Sending 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels by a 10-speed computerized transmission, the CT5-V isn’t any slouch. It will get to 60 miles per hour in a aggressive 4.6 seconds and on to a prime velocity of 156 miles per hour, when you discover the appropriate street.

Max torque arrives at 2,400 rpm, which implies loads of grunt down low, if not a tiny tinge of turbo lag. The CT5-V feels faster than its 4.6-second 0-60 time suggests. And it is hella enjoyable to tear between stoplights—particularly with its burly V-6 exhaust notice. However even at freeway speeds, that engine by no means feels prefer it’s able to stop; there’s all the time sufficient oomph even approach up within the rev vary.

The ten-speed computerized is… nice. The six-speed from the Blackwing would nonetheless be the superior gearbox right here, however the auto shifts shortly sufficient and is pleasant sufficient to make use of each day. Flip the drive mode to Monitor and tug on the paddles for greatest outcomes.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Execs: Clean & Highly effective Engine, Refined Experience, Wonderful Expertise, Respectable Base Worth

The combo of the CT5-V’s Alpha platform (RIP Camaro) and Magnetic Experience Management means this automotive is a darling in corners. It dives eagerly into turns and feels composed right through exit. There’s a trace of physique roll—extra, perhaps, than the next-best Audi or BMW—but it surely by no means lacks composure.

If solely the steering was a hair extra exact. A dead-on-center feeling and a few vagueness by the rack means the CT5-V does not really feel as tight because it ought to. Very like the more-powerful Blackwing, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment on this respect (perhaps a CT5-V Precision bundle?)

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

As a each day, although, the CT5-V is unequalled. That Magnetic Experience Management that does so effectively in corners additionally makes the CT5 a elegant long-distance cruiser. It completely eats up bumps. A wealthy brown leather-based covers the seats and sprint, high-quality finishes dot the middle console, and a large new touchscreen for 2025 lastly brings Cadillac’s know-how in control. That was considered one of my largest gripes with the pre-facelift automotive.

Your complete CT5 line has an ordinary 33.0-inch widescreen show that extends from the digital instrument cluster to the middle touchscreen. It seems attractive and it is extraordinarily straightforward to make use of; all the graphics are crisp, the response occasions are smartphone-quick, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto each come customary.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: Obscure Steering, Dear With Choices, Wants A Guide

And reward be, Cadillac is among the few manufacturers that also affords a management knob for the display screen (BMW simply did away with its iDrive controller). It isn’t nice for each perform, however particularly when driving, utilizing the controller to entry fundamental choices is a breeze, relatively than reaching for the touchscreen at excessive speeds.

However one of the best, most essential piece of know-how within the CT5-V is Tremendous Cruise—GM’s hands-free driver help. Tremendous Cruise comes customary on the CT5-V, and it really works flawlessly. Merely tick the steering wheel button on the, effectively, steering wheel, and a inexperienced gentle bar illuminates to inform you when it is working.

Tremendous Cruise retains the automotive centered within the lane and even modifications lanes routinely with out your enter when it sees a gap. You don’t want to the touch the steering wheel in any respect, however you do all the time must be on the prepared simply in case. So no taking a look at your telephone; linger out the window for too lengthy and Tremendous Cruise will flip off.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

With a beginning worth of $58,390, the CT5-V falls to the center of the pack by way of pricing—however that’s no dangerous place to be. The brand new Audi A5 prices $48,995, the Acura TLX Sort S is $51,595, and the Genesis G70 3.3T begins at $52,300. The BMW M340i, in the meantime, is a whopping $61,375 and the Mercedes-AMG C43 prices $63,650.

This explicit automotive comes out to $70,225 with choices, which makes it a bit harder to swallow. The Platinum bundle—which features a sunroof, the Expertise bundle, nicer leather-based, and a microfiber steering wheel—prices $8,595. The efficiency information and video recorder (which you most likely don’t want on a non-Blackwing) is one other $1,600. Whereas the paint, brakes, and ventilated seats add a complete of $11,865 in choices.

A lot of these choices may be price skipping if all you really need is the Caddy’s {powerful} V-6, elegant suspension, and cozy experience. In that respect, the CT5-V is tough to hate.

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Jeff Perez / Motor1