The Cadillac CT5 is powered by one of two engines, each further motivated by turbocharging. The base engine is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 237 horsepower, while the optional engine is a 3.0L V6 engine with two turbochargers making 335 horsepower in Premium Luxury trim. The bigger V6 also powers the CT5-V, though in slightly different state of tune for a horsepower rating of 360. Both engines are paired to an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to the rear wheels. The CT5 is available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
There are four trim levels available for the CT5, Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport and V-series. The base luxury trim comes nicely equipped with standard features including automatic LED headlamps and taillamps, rain sensing wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, keyless start, a high resolution, 10-inch digital touch screen, a digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, leatherette seating surfaces, paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel and a remote starter. Standard safety features include an automatic emergency braking system, forward collision system, front pedestrian braking, a high definition rear view camera and a teen driver mode.
Premium Luxury trim adds wireless phone charging, heated and power adjustable exterior mirrors with an auto-dimming function for the driver's side, a driver seat with memory settings, ambient interior lighting and an auto-dimming mirror for the interior. The Premium Luxury trim also comes with a few more safety features including a Lane Change with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Park Assist.
The Sport trim is priced similarly to the Premium Luxury trim but focuses more on athletic looks and driving dynamics. It builds on the Luxury trim by adding a sportier grille, a more aggressive front and rear fascia, a small spoiler, Brembo front brakes and 18-way adjustable front seats.
The CT5-V gets the most powerful engine available in the CT5 and pairs it to an electronic limited slip differential for maximum traction while also offering Magnetic Ride Control dampers, which are capable of changing stiffness in a blink of an eye to provide incredible handling given the ride quality of the vehicle. The traction control system is also upgraded for the V trim, offering five different settings and allowing owners to always be in control no matter the conditions.
Sleek Fastback Styling
Powerful Turbocharged Engines
Excellent Handling
Interior Technology
Available All-wheel Drive
The Cadillac CT5 is a brand-new sedan from Cadillac, sitting just above the slightly smaller CT4 in their lineup. The CT5 provides comfortable, capable and stylish transportation for potential owners looking for a sporty luxury car on a reasonable budget. For those wanting even more performance, the CT5-V adds a dose of turbocharged muscle with a powerful six-cylinder engine. Cadillac is banking on an improved interior to help sell the CT5, equipping the car with a large, 1080p, 10-inch screen and their latest Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system along with far nicer interior materials than what used to be found in older Cadillacs.
The Cadillac CT5 is a compact sport sedan competing with cars such as the Audi A4, the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes Benz C-Class; however, styling wise the CT5 has swoopier proportions and a more aerodynamic look, putting it more closely in contention with vehicles like the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe and the Audi A5 Sportback.