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2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2023 Cadillac CT5: Mild to Wild
What do our experts think of the 2023 Cadillac CT5? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Cadillac CT5?
Successor to the highly regarded CTS luxury sedan, one of our Top Luxury Cars Under $30,000, the 2023 Cadillac CTS is unchanged aside from some new colors. New in 2020, the CT5 is really two cars in one. A comfy luxury cruiser is behind door number one and fire-breathing ‘bahn burners can be found in the V models behind door number two.
Laden with cutting-edge tech like Super Cruise hands-free driving, distinctive styling, and strong handling, the CT5 is unfortunately a dying breed as evidenced by Cadillac’s future direction that we look at here. Nonetheless, it’s a tremendous all-around sedan that should be on any enthusiast’s list.
2023 Cadillac CT5 – cadillac.com | Shop 2023 Cadillac CT5 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Aggressive good looks
Super Cruise
The outrageous Blackwing
Missing some luxury features
Complicated options
Struggles with German cachet
Not your daddy’s Caddy
2023 Cadillac Specs
- 237 horsepower from base engine
- 258 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 11.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- NHTSA 5-star rating
- Exclusiv AKG 16-speaker system
- 6-year powertrain coverage
2023 Cadillac CT5 Powertrain
The three non-V badged 2023 Cadillac CT5s come with a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 rated for 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a 10-speed automatic to spin the rear wheels, though AWD is available for an extra $2,000, an option that earns the CT5 a spot on our list of Top 10 AWD Sedans.
Midpack Premium Luxury models can be fitted with a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 that cranks up the power to 335 horses and 405 torques. For those requiring more spice, may I suggest the CT5-V, which sports that same V6 but with an extra 25 hp, Brembo front brakes, and Magnetic Ride Control dampers.
Not enough you say? How about the CT5-V Blackwing? A supercar hiding in sedan sheet metal, this riotous four-door boasts a hand-built supercharged 6.2L V8, 6-speed stick with rev-matching, launch control, huge cross-drilled rotors all around, and so much more. It is strongly recommended that new owners utilize the included ticket to V-Performance Academy driving school.
Whether you go for comfort or crazy, the 2023 CT5 sits on a chassis tuned for handling competence with MacPherson-type front suspension and a 5-link rear. Adding magnetorheological dampers brings otherworldly dynamics as these are the fourth-gen models that GM is renowned for. The 10-speed automatic promises smooth shifting and is standard fare on all except the Blackwing, which furthers its hardcore creds by coming standard with a manual.
2023 Cadillac CT5 Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2.0L powertrain offers the best CT5 fuel economy with city/highway ratings of 23/33 mpg, figures which drop to 22 and 30, respectively with AWD. Twin-turbo base models see ratings of 19 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway, while the V drops by one mpg in city driving. The Blackwing will drain its 17-gallon tank quickly with a 13/21 mpg city/highway rating.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 5-passenger 2023 CT5 is upscale if simple. Fabrics range from “Inteluxe” faux leather to the real McCoy with semi-aniline reserved for top models. Up front, the full gamut of lux is available including heated, cooled, and massaging thrones however, heated seats are not standard which is a bit of a head-scratcher at this price point.
Rear occupants can stretch out into 38 inches of legroom, a nice step up from the 36 ½ found in the BMW 5-series. Be sure to see our Blackwing vs. M5 comparison for more on how these premium sedans stack up.
Acoustic laminated glass is lineup standard on the windshield and front windows, but some version of active noise control technology – which is unavailable – would seem the natural upgrade in the interest of cabin serenity. That being said, there’s no denying the head-turning style of the higher-end interior design schemes like Sedona Sauvage and Black semi-aniline leather. The Blackwing has an eye-watering $8,000 upholstery option that really brings the swagger. Other niceties include standard dual-zone automatic climate control and available ionized cabin air.
Entertainment & Technology
Every 2023 Cadillac CT5 comes with a 10-inch touchscreen display and a redundant rotary wheel behind the shifter to control the infotainment system. It includes wireless connection for Apple and Android device mirroring and a Wi-Fi hotspot is standard. For the best tech, you’ll have to navigate Cadillac’s overly complicated package hierarchy.
Navigation and a 15-speaker Bose stereo come in a $1,350 bundle or you can spend, ahem, $9,100 on a Platinum pack that brings those items plus a fully digital gauge cluster, head-up display, rearview mirror camera, HD Surround Vision with recording ability, and more. Exclusive to the Blackwing is an AKG-developed 16-speaker audiophile-friendly system.
Safety Features
Cadillac packs the 2023 CT5 with a host of advanced driver aids under its SMART suite that includes forward collision alert with automated emergency braking, lane keeping assist and departure warning, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
The slick safety alert seat vibrates and pulses at different points on the driver’s seat cushion to indicate which direction to watch for danger. Parking sonar and semi-automated parking assist are available further up the trim ladder as is Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid.
2023 Cadillac CT5 Trims & Pricing
Luxury – $39,590
The base 2023 Cadillac CT5, Luxury trim brings 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting outside, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inteluxe upholstery wraps the seats, while amenities include keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power-adjustable driver’s seat. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are managed via the 10-inch touchscreen display with additional tech like a wireless charging pad, and triple USB ports rounding things out.
Premium Luxury – $44,090
Mid-pack Premium Luxury models are notable for their leather upholstery, Adaptive Cruise Control, and access to a huge array of packages. Super Cruise is available in a $3,700 bundle that also adds the 12-inch configurable gauge cluster. Tack on the $9,100 Platinum package to enjoy navigation, climatized front seats with massaging function, a panoramic moonroof, and more.
Sport – $45,290
The CT5 Sport comes with 19-inch rims, a body kit, beefier steering wheel, and 18-way deeply bolstered front buckets. This model also unlocks V Performance options like the MagneRide dampers and limited-slip differential.
CT5-V – $52,390
Along with more power, the CT5-V sports Brembo front brakes, summer tires, and the 15-speaker Bose audio system. Sueded microfiber and carbon fiber cabin trim are also available to add further sporty spice.
CT5-V Blackwing – $92,390
At $40,000 more than the base V model, the Blackwing may seem overpriced. It’s not. This is a low-volume brute of a car with a hand-built engine, serialized number plate on the steering wheel, and unique braking system. For all the details, check out our dedicated review.
Warranties
Cadillac’s warranty is decent with a 4-year/50,000-mile vehicle term and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain term, the latter of which bests BMW by two years and 20,000 miles. However, only one complimentary maintenance visit in the first year of ownership is included versus Genesis, which gives you three years of free service.
What we think
2023 Cadillac CT5 – cadillac.com | Shop 2023 Cadillac CT5 on Carsforsale.com
On the whole, the 2023 Cadillac CT5 is an excellent luxury sedan with true performance bona fides. The odd lack of standard, or even available amenities, at this price point is more of a head-scratcher than a deal breaker, but the complicated options menu is decidedly terrible.
While the Blackwing is certainly a tempting choice, it’s seriously expensive with a price tag that can exceed $135,000 with all the boxes checked. Any of the non-V models are certainly strong options though they are tuned for a comfortable ride. My money would be on the CT5-V with its bump in power and performance-oriented setup.
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