2023 Cadillac CT5

You’re not alone if you were a bit confused by the disappearance of Cadillac’s midsize four-door sedan, the CTS. At the turn of the decade, GM’s top marque rebranded its lineup (again) to attract younger and hipper buyers. With it came a completely new nomenclature system to replace its last “hip” naming theme from the mid-2000s. But don’t fret, the CTS technically didn’t go anywhere. Instead, Cadillac introduced the CT5 in 2020 as its direct successor, slotting above the ATS (now the CT4) and replacing both the CTS and CT6 as GM’s largest and most luxurious sedan.

Last year saw the introduction of the over-the-top CT5-V Blackwing, but there isn’t much change to the 2023 model aside from some new exterior color options. The same impressive and rather good recipe continues to be a value-packed BMW 5 Series-sized sedan for 3 Series money. With its base price starting just below $40,000 and cresting six figures for the flagship Blackwing, there’s almost a CT5 for everybody. It continues picking fights against the aforementioned BMWs, the Audi A4 and A6, Lexus ES, Infiniti Q50 and even the Genesis G70 and G80.

All CT5s in non-V trims still get power from an adequate but underwhelming turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder while the mid-range Premium Luxury and entry CT5-V have an optional (and far superior) twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. The high-po CT5-V Blackwing gets a thundering 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and track-tuned suspension, competing with the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 63. Except for the Blackwing, All have the option to send their power to the rear or all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic. The Blackwing is rear-drive only, but can also get a six-speed manual.

Over the past 20 years Cadillac’s engineers have done an excellent job at shaking its 20th-century reputation for manufacturing nautical-handling, gilded land yachts that resisted every effort to stimulate the senses or encourage driver engagement. By harnessing the expertise of its German competitors, Cadillac proved it has what it takes to compete against the once seemingly unbeatable foreign alternatives by injecting its vehicles with respectable handling and performance (especially with the V performance division), style and even value.

The CT5 continues this effort. While some of the German competition seems to have gone a bit soft, Cadillac has stepped up to build a quality midsize luxury sports sedan with class-leading handling. It isn’t without its shortcomings, however. Some of the discount interior bits and surfaces still reflect GM’s “that’ll do” approach and while not hard the eyes, the design is no longer as distinctive as the CTS was 20 years ago. And the packaging and options seem brutally a la carte when several competitors—notably Genesis and Lexus—offer more standard kit.

Still, the CT5’s sports sedan bona fides are unquestionable on the higher trims with the better engines, and there’s plenty of technology on offer too. GM’s latest infotainment system is as easy to use as its older ones but more comprehensive. GM’s Super Cruise, the best hands-free semi-autonomous highway cruise control system in the industry, is optional on all but the lowest trims. Add to the fact that you can still have a very nicely optioned CT5 for less than $60,000, it certainly punches above its weight.

Performance: 14/15

Engine options remain the same as when the CT5 took its first bow three years ago. GM’s ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder continues base engine duties in the Luxury and Sport models with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium, getting you to 60 from a standstill in around 6.5 seconds. While not slow, it’s a bit lackadaisical when compared to the equivalent BMW 3 Series, Alfa Romeo Giulia, or Genesis G70, which can do it in less than six.

Opt for the Premium Luxury and one can get the far more potent optional twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 335 hp and 405 lb-ft, also on 93-octane (both engines can run on the regular stuff, but with slightly reduced power), taking 5.5 seconds to hit 60. That same V6 is standard on the CT5-V, but with five extra ponies. A ten-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox on these versions, but you can choose from rear- or all-wheel drive.

If you’re really performance hungry, the top-spec rear-wheel-drive-only CT5-V Blackwing sports the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 as the last-gen CTS-V and Corvette Z06, with 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, up from 640hp and 630 lb-ft in that earlier CTS. The Blackwing also uses the ten-speed automatic, but buyers can spec a six-speed manual if they prefer. This is the most powerful Cadillac ever built, and zero-to-60 takes around 3.5 seconds to hit 60 for either transmission. The Automatic will be faster around a track, but the manual is more fun.

Where the CT5 really shines is in the handling department. No matter the trim, the CT5 feels like a tack-sharp sports car in a sedan wrapper. It’s all about inspiring composure, offering the sort of confidence that would encourage you to use it as an occasional SCCA track day weekend toy. Its ride isn’t punishing either, being firm yet compliant. It’s a combination once expected from BMWs of yore. But alas, those times seem to be in the rear-view, if not upside down, with once Broughamstastic Cadillac making one of the best handlers in the segment. What a time to be alive!

We are a bit perplexed however that the Sport model strictly comes with the four-cylinder when the V6 is the real charmer in the mainstream models. The Premium Luxury and V are the ones to have if you can’t swing the Blackwing.

Fuel Economy: 10/15

All CT5s retain their fuel economy figures from last year with the rear-wheel-drive four-cylinder rated at 27 mpg combined (23 city, 30 highway) and the AWD version 25 (22 city, 30 highway). V6 CT5s are rated at 22 mpg combined (19 city, 27 highway) with rear-wheel drive and lose 1 mpg in each measure with AWD. 

In our Premium Luxury tester with the V6, the trip computer returned around 18 to 24 mpg in mixed New Jersey suburb and highway travels. Step on the pedal frequently, however, and that figure drops significantly as the turbos really demand a lot of petrol to match the huge influx of air being forced into the combustion chamber. The V6 models from Genesis get similar fuel economy, but BMW’s straight sixes in the 3 and 5 Series do better.

And if you had to ask, the CT5 V-Series Blackwing unsurprisingly chugs fuel at 13 mpg city and 21 highway with both transmissions, though automatics to a little better in combined rating (16 mpg to the manual’s 15). You can’t expect great gas mileage from the M5 either, but this won’t come as a surprise to Blackwing buyers.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 13/15

Like all other new luxury cars these days, all CT5 models come with Cadillac’s latest SMART System suite of active and passive driver safety and assistance systems. The list includes forward collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors with collision mitigation, rear safety seat alert, teen driver mode, and accessible onboard vehicle diagnostics. 

Also standard on the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims—but optional on the V-Series—are a forward following distance indicator, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The most notable—and expensive upgrade—is GM’s new and excellent Super Cruise hands-free semi-autonomous cruise control system at $3,700 for Super Cruise Package 1 and $6,940 for Package 2. Not only is it an excellent highway driving assistant with radar-guided cruise control, it also does one of the best jobs at steering itself on major highways with minimal drifting.

Although the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t yet tested the CT5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it a top five-star overall rating.

Comfort & Room: 13/15 

With 42.4 inches of legroom up front and 37.9 in the rear, and 39.0 inches of headroom fore and 36.6 aft, the CT5’s interior dimensions are within a few inches of the midsize competition, such as the BMW 5 Series and Lexus ES, and a little better than compact models like the G70 or 3 Series. All CT5s except the Blackwing are priced closer to the compact competition, the Caddy is noticeably larger than the compact competitors. It doesn’t have much more interior or trunk space though, so while you’re getting a larger car for compact money, the interior gains are less than the visual ones.

All the CT5s are comfortable and supportive to match their performance-oriented nature, and the ride in our Premium Luxury tester was surprisingly supple, despite the excellent handling and body control. Noise, vibration and harshness are all kept to a minimum and competitive with the Europeans and Asians. Though expect slightly heightened levels of the former three with the Sport and V-Series models from the stiffer, sport-tuned suspension and more aggressive wheels and tires.

Infotainment: 13/15

The CT5 debuted with GM’s latest infotainment system. In the Cadillac, it still retains the CUE name, or Cadillac User Experience, with a 10-inch-diagonal high-definition color touchscreen with a BMW iDrive-like Rotary Infotainment Controller, as standard. Though despite the unique “CUE” name, it doesn’t do much to separate itself from the latest systems found in other more recently updated vehicles in GM’s portfolio. 

While there’s nothing wrong with the consistency, it would’ve been nice if Cadillac put a little more effort into separating the system’s functionality from similar units you’d find at Buick or GMC, though notably, they don’t build cars. The upside to such consistency is that it’s not that much different either than GM’s previous versions either, aside from higher-definition and updated graphics and some newer menus. That means the system is easy to use and requires little adaptation for those already familiar with the software and layout.

The base nine-speaker Bose sound system gets the job done with little complaint while a 15-speaker Premium Surround system is optional. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard though despite being a luxury car, we’re a bit surprised to find sat-nav is also optional.

Cargo Space & Storage: 7/15

Pop the trunk to the CT5 and you’ll be greeted to an adequate 11.9 cubic-feet of cargo space, which is on the smaller side when compared to the Genesis G80’s and Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s 13.1, the Lexus ES’s 13.9 and the BMW 5 Series’ 18.1. It’s even smaller than some of the compact offerings, like the Benz C-Class’s 12.6 cubic-feet, the BMW 3 Series’ 16.9, and even the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s 13 cubic-feet.

So the CT5 isn’t exactly the best choice for cargo capacity. Thankfully, the rear seats do offer a 60-40 rear-split for longer items. Though if it’s cargo space that you’re after in a Cadillac, there’s always the XT5 and XT6 crossover SUVs.

Style & Design: 7/10

The CT5 departs from its predecessor’s more conventionally boxy and chiseled three-box design in favor of a sweptback four-door coupe, as observed from its raked rear roofline. From the side, it almost looks more like an elongated five-door hatchback. While not a bad-looking vehicle, it isn’t the most stylish or eye-catching. Low-key styling might be the name of the game in the midsize luxury sedan segment, which tends to cater to more sophisticated and conservative tastes.

It still visually sets itself apart as a Cadillac, even if we prefer the styling on the last-generation CTS as its boxier shape had more character. But if one was after some serious curb swagger without looking too outlandish in the current lot, the Genesis G80 takes that crown in the midsize department while the Alfa Romeo Giulia still wins in the aesthetics department for compact luxury sedans. 

The biggest visual downside to the CT5 is the interior. GM now makes very few other cars (the CT4 and Chevy Malibu are its only U.S.-market sedans), but the CT5’s interior looks very similar to those of Buick, GMC and even Chevy SUVs. There isn’t a sense of premium-car occasion here as there is in the Genesis G80 or Audi A6.

Is the 2023 Cadillac CT5 Worth it? Which Cadillac CT5 is the Best Value?

A base CT5 with rear-wheel drive will stamp the invoice at $39,590 including the obligatory $1,395 destination charge. That isn’t a bad ask for an excellent driving luxury sports sedan, even if the base engine is underwhelming. Add some of the essential upgrades such as a dual-pane moonroof, which includes sat-nav for the CUE infotainment system and the 15-speaker Bose Premium sound system, and the sticker rises $41,640 including destination and Cadillac’s current $750 cash allowance promotion. Should you want AWD traction, it’s $2,000 extra across the board.

You can opt for the upper-midrange Sport ($45,290) model as well, which adds some sportier interior and exterior bits in the aesthetic department, but it won’t drive all that differently from the standard luxury model.

The twin-turbo V6 in the Premium Luxury ($44,090) and base CT5-V ($52,390) is really worth the leap if you can do it to get the most out of what the CT5 promises to deliver and offer in terms of being one of the best-driving sports sedans in its segment. The Premium Luxury with the V6 ($47,590) is the best value in the lineup. From there you can add the nicest option packages without truly breaking the bank.

You’ll still be well below the asking prices of the six-cylinder equivalents from Europe or Asia, except for the new Acura TLX Type-S and aging Infiniti Q50. But the $56,945 Acura (with its $1,195 destination charge) is still notably more expensive than the base CT5-V. And to get anywhere near the performance of the V, you’ll be either compromising on overall size and space by having to opt for the six-cylinder luxury compact sedans from Europe or Asia, or needing to make a considerable cost job to the six-cylinder luxury midsize offerings from the same continents.

The Blackwing is its own value proposition. It starts at a whopping $93,390 including destination, but if this the kind of hot rod you want, it’s the best deal on the market. All of its rivals cost more, including the BMW M5 ($111,895), Mercedes-AMG E 63 S ($113,950) and Audi RS6 Avant ($122,995) and few are as out-and-out capable around a track.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Cadillac CT5?

The CT5’s big range of models has an equally wide range of insurance costs, but it compares well to its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium starting at $2,529 for the CT5 Luxury, $3,272 for the V and up to $4,929 for the V Blackwing, though this averages all 50 states. An Acura TLX owner might pay up to $2,398 per year, while the Audi A6 Quattro Premium Plus would run $3,350 and the Genesis G80 3.5T $3,072. The BMW M5 rolls in at $5,337. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.