Cadillac CT5-V

The CT5 comes in three different trims, namely luxury, premium luxury, and sport. The CT5 lineup comes separately along with the CT5-V Blackwing which is the most powerful and premium variant available for the sedan. All trims share a fastback look and the V series has omitted the more obvious design they used to come with for a more subtle approach. The cost of the CT5-V also varies wildly as it can range anywhere from $39,590 to $92,390 for the Blackwing trim. In an effort to standardize, Cadillac has tried to keep all the trims relatively close to each other in terms of features but that doesn’t mean that the higher trim has no perks of its own. 

Each of the trims of the Cadillac CT5-V makes a compelling case for its existence. Even the base trim is a beast in terms of power and acceleration, it comes with all the modern automatic support and has a luxurious interior. Stable handling and ample torque make this sedan a fun to drive vehicle be it commuting from work or cruising on the highway. The inclusion of Bucket seats and leather upholstery give the sedan a luxurious touch from its lower powered CT5 lineup. Speaking of the Blackwing, it's almost an overkill with its 6.2L Supercharged V8 DI engine. Some of the packages on offer by Cadillac are:-

SUPER CRUISE 1 PACKAGE

• Super Cruise, a driver assistance technology that allows hands-free driving on compatible roads
• Leather-wrapped Super Cruise steering wheel with Alloy paddle shift controls
• 12" diagonal HD color reconfigurable driver cluster
• HD Surround Vision
• Surround Vision Recorder

SUPER CRUISE 2 PACKAGE

• Super Cruise
• Leather-wrapped Super Cruise steering wheel with Alloy paddle shift controls
• Cadillac user experience with navigation
• Head-Up Display
• HD Surround Vision
• Heated and ventilated driver and front passenger seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Cabin Air Ionizer
• Illuminating front sill plates
• LED front cornering lamps

PREMIUM PACKAGE

• Climate Package
• Lighting Package
• Driver and front passenger power lumbar massage

PLATINUM PACKAGE

• Navigation Package
• Parking Package
• Sueded Microfiber Wrapped Interior Trim Package
• Semi-Aniline leather seats
• Interior color Sedona Sauvage with Jet Black accents with Twenty-Two Carbon Fiber trim
• UltraView dual pane sunroof

TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE

• 12-inch diagonal HD color reconfigurable driver cluster
• Head-Up Display

We Recommend

We would recommend going with the CT5-V for 2023. It features a healthy balance between performance, features, and luxury elements. Along with that, it offers a whole host of packages and upgrade options to customize your car to your liking as per your needs. The Argent Silver Metallic paint job along with the premium package makes the CT5-V look classy and feel premium from within. Whereas the Blaze Orange Metallic paint scheme along with the Super cruise 1 package gives the CT5-V a more sport oriented look. 

Release Date 

Initially, the CT5-V was supposed to release on 11th July 2022 but it has been pushed back and it is set to launch on 18th July 2022. 

The 2023 CT5-V comes with a 2L twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is capable of pushing a massive 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and performance suspensions to make for a smooth, and seamless experience throughout. Furthermore, it has a performance traction management system in track mode that helps control the traction, stability, and chassis mode control system. All of this combined gives the CT5-V an incredibly fast 0 to 60 speed in just 4.6 seconds. Furthermore, it has an immense top speed of 156 mph which is one of the best among its competition. The various controls like Traction, stability, and chassis mode control systems help drivers gain better control over the vehicle so as to perform as necessary. The inclusion of track mode is another attractive feature as it helps the sedan achieve breakneck speeds while making it maneuverable. 

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V is quick but not the quickest as the 2023 Audi S4 beats it by 0.3 seconds. It has the best torque and the second-best horsepower output among its competition. The 2022 Kia Stinger takes the place as the best in terms of performance as it has the best acceleration and the greatest top speed among its competition. The Audi S4 has the quickest acceleration but falls short in the top speed department and the Genesis G80 2.5T has a great top speed but a much slower acceleration leading to it coming last among its competitors when it comes to performance. 

2023 Cadillac CT5-V Sedan Ride and Handling

As this is a performance variant of the CT5, the handling on the CT5-V is smooth and responsive. It has a 10-speed automatic transmission and Independent Multi-Link Performance suspensions to make handling the CT5-V a breeze. It also has Automatic Stop/Start with disabling, Electronic Precision Shift, Electronic limited-slip rear differential, Magnetic Ride Control, Electric Power Steering, and Automatic Vehicle Hold for maximum control of the vehicle. The sedan also has a cub weight of 3,974 lbs which makes it grounded. The Steering is accurate and predictable, despite it being a big sedan, and settings like PTM and Race make sure it handles perfectly when taking corners at high speeds. The CT5-V lives up to its legacy with accurate, tenacious, and predictable handling throughout. 

2023 Cadillac CT5-V Sedan Braking performance 

For a car with immense power output and quick acceleration, the 2023 CT5-V comes with Brembo front performance brakes that have 12.6-inch front brake rotors and 12.4-inch rear slotted rotors with four-piston calipers. With its many features like Electronic parking brakes and 4-piston-fixed calipers, it makes sure the braking performance is just as good as its acceleration. The CT5-V has immensely improved its braking performance over the years going from relatively small to best-in-class brakes over the past years. It has a comparatively high curb weight of 3974 lbs but the handling is barely affected by its weight and the braking action is smooth and instant. 

The 2023 CT5-V has the smallest brake rotors and the highest curb weight among its competition. The addition of the Brembo front performance brakes gives the CT5-V a huge advantage as it leads to quicker and more efficient braking. The Kia Stinger is the lightest and has the biggest brake rotors which result in faster braking action. The S4 has front brake rotors that are just as big as the Stinger but fall short in the rear end and the G80 gets the smallest brakes amongst its competition other than the CT5-V. 

The V series have not been very fuel-efficient cars throughout history but Cadillac has been actively working on breaking that stereotype over the years and the 2023 CT5-V has a healthy mix of performance and fuel efficiency. It requires Premium unleaded gas and can provide a fuel efficiency of upwards of 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for a combined efficiency of 21 mpg. Furthermore, it also has a generous fuel capacity of 17 gallons. The CT5-V is a big step towards striking a balance between performance and fuel efficiency Cadillac but they have missed the mark slightly as the competitors of the CT5-V have much more optimized setups when it comes to fuel efficiency. 

Overall, both the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V and the 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 do not fare well in terms of fuel efficiency among their competition due to their more performance-based outlook. If you want to maximize fuel efficiency we recommend going with the Genesis G80 2.5T as it has the biggest tank and the best MPG estimate among the competition. The Audi S4 is hindered by its smaller gas tank but it has good fuel efficiency which gives it a longer range than the CT5-V and the Stinger. The CT5-V comes third with lower mpg estimates and an above average gas tank but cannot beat the range of either the S4 or the G80. 

The CT5-V borrows its interior from the more luxury-based CT5 models and thus has a beautiful interior with hints of leather throughout the interior of the sedan. It comes with a 14-way height adjustable driver and front passenger adjustable front bucket seats with lumbar support which are also ventilated and heated. The cabin is spacious and has a premium feel with the leatherette interiors. The rear seats are split-folding so as to maximize space inside the vehicle. The steering wheel is leather wrapped and the front carpeted floor mats have the V-Series logo. The interiors of the 2023 CT5-V are not quite luxurious but they are comfortable and have an appealing look. 

Despite its appearance as a sedan, the Kia Stinger is actually a hatchback and thus, has the biggest trunk space. Therefore, it has the best legroom and headroom among the segment. Other than that, the Genesis G80 2.5T has the most spacious interiors and the best cargo space among the sedans. The CT5-V has the second-best space just slightly shorter than the G80 and the S4 has the least space available among the competition but a slightly bigger cargo capacity. All three sedans in this segment are pretty close in terms of dimensions and cargo capacity and marginally beat each other in different categories.

Some of the standout features of the 2023 CT5-V’s interior are:-

• Leatherette bucket front seats
• Driver seat thigh extension
• Height adjustable passenger seat
• Lumbar support for both driver and passenger seat
• Split-folding rear seat
• Leather-wrapped thick rim steering wheel

2023 Cadillac CT5-V Sedan Infotainment system

The 2023 CT5-V has cutting edge technology all over it, the infotainment system reflects the same. It has a 10-inch diagonal multi-touch HD color screen with Natural Voice Recognition technology. The infotainment system has personalized profiles for each driver's settings for easy accessibility and a rotary controller for users who prefer not to use a touchscreen. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity along with a 15-speaker performance series premium audio system by Bose. There is also a 6-month trial subscription to SiriusXM with 360L thrown in. The infotainment system also has Bluetooth and WiFi Hotspot connectivity options.

Some of the standout features in the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V’s infotainment system include:-

• 10" diagonal multi-touch HD color screen
• 15 speaker audio system by Bose
• 3 USB ports
• Personalized profiles for each driver's settings
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity 
• Rotary Infotainment Controller with jog control

The CT5-V’s exterior remains largely unchanged since last year. We see the same signature front grille with a chrome outline with the Cadillac logo and a long sloping roofline that makes the car look incredibly appealing. The exterior features make the car distinct and more appealing. The acoustic laminated glass stops outside noise from getting into the interior. The two sleek LED headlamps up front complement the design well and the gray-tinted transparent outer lens tail lamps are a subtle but beautiful addition in the back. The 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels are a welcome addition as well. All of this combined, give the CT5-V an edge over its competitors when it comes to looks. 

The G80 is the car with the biggest proportions followed by the CT5-V. The CT5-V is also the heaviest among its competition and the S4 is the lightest even though the Stinger is bigger than it comparatively. The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V has an aggressive look with a more coupe-inspired exterior. The G80 has a sleek exterior and looks incredibly premium with its elegant design and vibrant color options. The S4 and Stinger look very bland in comparison to the CT5-V and the G80, they have subtle marks that make it blend in rather than stand out.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V are:-

• Signature Cadillac grille
• Body-color rear spoiler
• 19" aluminum alloy wheels
• Rocker moldings with extensions
• Acoustic laminated glass
• IntelliBeam auto high beam headlamps

The 2023 CT5-V has all the modern safety features which are necessary for a safe driving environment and much more to assist the driver when it comes to difficult situations. It has a Blind spot and lane departure warnings accident avoidance system, Pre-collision safety system, Post-collision safety system, an HD rear vision camera, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. With so many additions to the safety of the CT5-V and the people inside it, it's no wonder it has no recalls issued, and no ongoing investigations or complaints as of yet by the NHTSA. The vehicle hasn’t been tested by the IIHS either.

Some of the standout safety features of the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V are:-

• Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
• 8 airbags
• Front and Rear Park Assist
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• LED Reflective Windshield Collision Alert
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Teen Driver configuration
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

2023 Cadillac CT5-V VS 2023 Genesis G80 2.5T 

The 2022 Genesis G80 2.5T might be the prettiest car among its competition but the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V overwhelms it with sheer power. It has a better v6 engine, quicker acceleration, and a higher top speed. However, the G80 isn’t all looks as it has far better fuel efficiency and a bigger gas tank, bigger brake rotors, it's lighter, and has more space inside and more trunk space. Overall, both cars have their benefits, the Cadillac looks fast and commands more power, while the Genesis looks elegant and makes for a more adept daily driver. 

2023 Cadillac CT5-V VS 2023 Audi S4

The Audi S4 has been through many iterations for over a decade now compared to the much more recent Cadillac CT5-V. While the Ct5-V has a far higher top speed, the S4 has marginally quicker acceleration due to a more powerful engine. The S4 is also lighter, has bigger brakes, and is more fuel efficient than the 2023 CT5-V. Overall, we must admit that as good as the Cadillac CT5-V is, it’s simply outclassed in most fields by the tried and tested Audi S4. The S4 is held back by a lower top speed but apart from that it is an incredibly powerful sedan with a practical edge that could be an amazing daily driver. 

2023 Cadillac CT5-V VS 2023 Kia Stinger GT2

The Stinger deceives us with its subtle looks but it has crept up to become a tough competitor of the CT5-V. As it is a hatchback we will not be comparing its space to that of the CT5-V. However, even then it has a better and more powerful engine, a better top speed, it is the lightest among its competition, and has the biggest brake rotors. The Ct5-V does have a slight advantage over the acceleration, fuel efficiency, and fuel capacity, and also has a higher driving range than that of the Stinger. 

Apart from the Blackwing trim, Cadillac has tuned down the V mark among its cars to a point where they are neither exceptional daily drivers nor exceptionally quick and nimble. If a daily driver is what you have in mind, we would recommend skipping the CT5-V and opting for the Genesis G80 2.5T. Other than that, we would recommend the Kia Stinger for a relatively similar performance output to that of the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V while having more practical elements that can come into use if necessary. The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V finds itself at an impasse where it's neither a complete luxury offering like the CT5 lineup nor a fully performance-oriented trim like the 2023 CT5-V Blackwing. However, if you want a sporty look with relatively good functionality along with good acceleration, the CT5-V just might be the answer. It has entered an incredibly small niche, as sedans are already in decline in the US, a sporty full size sedan isn’t what most people will be looking for.