Used 2020 Cadillac CT4 for sale 

For the CT4, Cadillac has upped the level in terms of features on offer. LED lights are standard across the range which uplifts the style quotient of the car. Cadilac wants to attract especially the younger generation and these quirky LED DRLs do surely attract a lot of eyeballs out on the road. On the inside, the interiors are clearly a step up compared to the ATS,s cabin. The materials used, feel much more premium and the panels are better put-together. The stereo system comes with active noise cancellation, no matter which variant you opt for. Premium luxury gets the safety pack which includes forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking and sorts. There are two engines on offer. The base and the premium trim get the 2.0L turbocharged 4cylinder engine which puts out 237 HP @ 5000rpm and 258 lb-ft of max torque @ 1500rpm. The V model, which is the sporty trim of the CT4 gets a 2.7L inline 4 motor which is good for 309 HP and 348 lb-ft of torque.

What do we recommend?

Cadillac has done an amazing job speccing the trims of the CT4. A lot of the features are standard across the range which makes the base and mid-spec models quite value for money. We recommend the Sport variant which starts from $38,595 which comes with some premium features like digital drivers display, sporty steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters, sporty seats with memory functions and the likes. The cherry on the top would be the fact that Cadilac has priced the CT4 very aggressively and it undercuts most of its European counterparts. 

The new CT4 comes with two engine options. The base and the sports variant get the 2.0L I-4 turbocharged motor which pumps out 237 HP @ 5000rpm and a max torque of 258 ft-lbs. Its the same engine which used to power the ATS model which the CT4 replaces. It’s exactly the same motor and it’s not a bad thing. The pulling power comes from as low as 1500rpm and goes all the way over 4000rpm. This makes the mid-range very meaty and serves enough grunt to carry out overtakes without breaking a sweat. 

Next, Cadillac gives an option of a 2.7L inline 4 turbocharged motor in a higher state of tune which replaces the older 3.6L V6 engine which used to power the amazing ATS-V. This engine is lighter and more efficient than the older one. However, it will produce on 325 HP in the V disguise which is a massive drop from the previous model. But that’s a story for another day. 

What’s the transmission like?

Cadillac offers two transmissions for the new CT4. the 2.0L engine comes paired with the 8-speed conventional automatic transmission. The gearbox is smooth and works without any glitches most of the time which makes it quite easy to cruise around the town and is also a boon in bumper to bumper traffic. This gearbox is not perfect tho. It works best when not in a hurry. The moment one goes pedal to the metal, the gearbox takes its sweet time to downshift. It’s not a deal-breaker though. For better control, one can use the steering-mounted paddle shifters to summon any of the eight available gears. 

The 2.7L engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission from the GM stable. The transmission is very easy to live with and provides clean and seamless shifts. 

The Cadillac is the cheapest car in this comparison and at the same its the least powerful too. The Beemer has the most amount of torque but its the Jaguar XE,s 2.0L engine which delivers that torque lowest in the rev range makes it a very lively car to drive in the city.

How quick is the Cadillac CT4 off the line?

Cadillac CT4 does not come with launch control but still manages to launch off the line cleanly. It accelerates cleanly without much drama and that 8-speed gearbox delivers crisp shifts which help the CT4 to crack 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. Sub 5.5 seconds time for a RWD family sedan with a 4 cylinder engine is quite respectable. At high revs, the engine gives out a sporty snarl which should be appreciated by enthusiasts. 

Jaguar XE gets ahead of the pack first as it is the lightest sedan here by quite a margin. Jaguar heavily uses Aluminium in the construction of the platform and the body panels of the XE and it shows here. That being said, the Caddy CT4 is not far behind the wild cat, closely followed by the BMW. The Beemer inches ahead of the American and completes the quarter-mile 0.1 quicker than the Caddilac.

What’s the ride and handling like?

Back in the day, Cadillac was absent from the small premium sedan segment and it has always been ruled by none other than the BMW 3-series. With the ATS, Cadillac used the 3-series as their benchmark and it showed in the way it handled the corners. The CT4 is more or less the same under the refreshed skin and it still carries the same ethos forward. The CT4 drives beautifully over bad roads too but predominantly, the chassis is designed to corner as flat as possible around the bends and thus it has a sense of underlying firmness to it. When pushed hard, it maintains its composure and offers a ton of grip with slight play at the rear. The rear-wheel-drive nature of the CT4 adds a lot of spice to the drive and is a joy around the curves. 

There are different driving modes which alter the throttle sensitivity as well as the steering weight. In sport mode, the steering weighs up considerably and is quite noticeable. 

How well is Braking performance?

The new CT4 comes with disc breaks on all four corners. ABS and EBD are standard which help the car to maintain its line under braking and allows the driver to steer while heavy braking. The sport model comes with Brembo anchors and offers solid braking performance. 

The Jaguar XE totally obliterates the German saloons by a huge margin in braking distance and thats all down to lower curb weight.

The next-generation engines offered in the CT4, the 2.0L inline 4 and the 2.7L inline 4, are turbocharged and in terms of technology are right up there with the competition. Active fuel management system is standard for both these engines. This feature shuts off cylinders depending on the load while cruising on the motorway thereby increasing the efficiency. 

BMW 330i is the most fuel-efficient small premium sedan in this comparison. That being said, the Mercedes has the biggest fuel tank and would go the farthest. Range anxiety should not be a problem with the 3-pointed star. Cadillac, even with that clever cylinder shut off technology, comes dead last in this comparison. 

The cabin of the new CT4 is welcoming indeed. The dashboard design is a bit tilted towards the driver. The cockpit wraps around the driver and pampers the occupants with a lot of soft-touch materials all around. Leather has been used generously which lends a premium feel to the cabin. It’s a huge departure from the old ATS,s cabin, which was one of its weakest facets. The steering is leather-wrapped and feels quite upmarket. 

On the dashboard now sits a new 8-inch high definition infotainment screen which comes with a new interface. For better usability of the infotainment system, while driving, Cadillac has provided physical volume and track seek knob which is a thoughtful touch.

How comfortable is the new Cadillac CT4?

The CT4 gets big and supportive leather seats up front and they are power-adjustable. With that said, the bolstering surely could have been better though. When pushing hard around the corners, the driver and the front passenger do move around a little. 

The rear seating comfort is plagued by the outright space available at the back. The seats are low and are suitable for only two adults at a time. The rear legroom is hampered due to the presence of a massive central tunnel, as it is a rear-wheel-drive car. 

In terms of seating comfort and the space on offer, its the BMW which leads the pack. Its got the most amount of headroom in the front and in the back and its a better alternative to carrying three abreast in the rear. The C300, although on paper, stacks up against the Beemer, the shape is not the most practical of them all. 

What to expect on the infotainment front?

The new CT4 comes with a smooth 8-inch screen with Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility. The display is nice and crisp and the viewing angles are great. The screen sits flush on the dashboard and is in the direct eye line of the driver. The system is easy to use and is a massive upgrade over the painfully slow CUE infotainment system of the ATS which it replaces. The infotainment system has internet connection capabilities through which it can get over the air updates, which is a handy feature. 

Some other notable features across the range:

• Cadillac user experience
• Remort start
• HD radio
• SiriusXM Radio
• Bose premium audio package

What’s the cargo capacity like?

The cargo-carrying capacity of the new CT4 is not its strongest suit. The boot is quite oddly shaped and the loading lip is high which makes it difficult and awkward to load cargo. To help maximize the available space, Cadillac has provided a 60:40 split function for the rear seats. 

BMW is an incredible room on the inside as well as it has a gigantic boot which makes it the most practical sedan in the segment. The boot is cleverly designed with a square-ish shape and loading the cargo in is an easy task. The boot behind the Caddy, however, is awfully small and below average for the segment.

Interior features on offer

• 18-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats and heated steering wheel
• HUD with digital driver’s display
• Steering-wheel-mounted Magnesium Paddle Shift controls
• Memory seats

For the 2020 model year, Cadillac has dropped the ATS range of models and has replaced it with the CT4 model. The ATS was an aging sedan as it was launched it 2012 so update and a refresh was a must. The 2020 CT4 has a refreshed look nonetheless. The design is definitely more evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The ATS’s design was quite sharp and quirky when it was launched back in the day. The CT4 carries forward the same philosophy. The layout is even edgier and sharper looking than before but it somehow looks more mature. Lately, car manufacturers are playing a lot with the DRL design and Cadillac’s take on DRLs is magnificent. The LED DRL strip flows down from the headlamps and meets the air dams. The look is distinctive and there’s nothing like it on the road and would definitely attract a lot of attention. 

In the middle, there’s that characteristic Cadillac grille which makes it recognizable from a distance. The hood is muscular and has a lot of lines which adds character to it and gives it an aggressive and sporty feel. 

The side profile looks quite tame and there’s nothing unusual going on here. The 18-inch wheels on sport trim look quite sporty. 17-inch rims come standard though. At the rear, Cadillac’s signature verticle taillamps are present and look really cool. LED headlights and tail lamps are standard across the range. 

The Jaguar XE is the lightest and the widest premium sedan in this comparison. Although the CT4 is the longest among the competitors, its wheelbase is the smallest. And that is quite evident on the inside as it has the smallest and the tightest cabin of them all. 

What are the highlights on the outside?

The 2020 CT4 is technically an all-new model but it resembles the ATS quite a lot. That being said, Cadillac has given some new design touches for the CT4 to come across as a fresh and new model. A few notable features on the outside are:

• Verticle LED DRLs
• A sporty all-black honeycomb grille
• Sharper looking front bumpers
• Shark fin antenna on the roof
• Subtle lip spoiler on the back

From the safety point of view, Cadillac has fully prepped the CT4 to go up against the likes of BMW and Mercedes offerings. The segment is highly competitive and to be able to survive, Cadillac CT4 comes with a safety net that was absent in the ATS. the driver assistance system and safety features are not available on the base variant though. The build quality feels quite solid and it feels like the CT4 is built to last. 

Safety Features

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Forward collision alert
• Front pedestrian braking
• HD rear vision camera
• Safety alert seat
• LED reflective windshield alert
• Rear park assist
• Driver-assist package( adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert etc.)

Cadillac CT4 vs Jaguar XE

The XE has always been a strong contender in the segment and is truly an amazing car. It’s sporty to drive and has plenty of smart features to keep the tech-savvy drivers and occupants satisfied. Compared to CT4, it has a better boot, more power and a better handling chassis. The Cadillac is decently equipped too and has a fun chassis to play with. In terms of practicality, it loses out a few brownie points to the Jag. 

Cadillac CT4 vs BMW 330i

BMW 330i tops the Cadillac on almost every front. Its has always been the king of the segment as it combines the best of both worlds. The feature list is expansive, the quality of materials used on the inside feel posh and expensive. It has gotten bigger and more accommodating over the years and keeps the driver and its occupants happy. The CT4, on the other hand, feels a bit dull and bland inside out when compared to the new 3 series. BMW’s i-drive system is no doubt one of the best infotainment systems and easily trumps the one in the CT4. 

Cadillac CT4 vs Mercedes Benz C300

It’s hard for customers to not get drawn towards the 3-pointed star and the fact that the new C-class looks like a baby S-class make it even more difficult to ignore it. C300 is leagues ahead of its competition in terms of the sense of luxury and features on offer. The new MBUX system is the best in the business and introduces a huge tablet-like touchscreen for better practicality. In this comparison, the CT4 doesn’t stand a chance. 

The Cadillac CT4 is a handsome looking premium sedan packing a decent amount of technology, comes with a host of safety features and a playful rear-wheel-drive chassis. It lacks space inside the cabin and the boot is weirdly small and can be a dealbreaker for some. That being said, its the cheapest car in the segment and for someone whose on a budget and wants an offbeat and quirky sedan, CT4 is worth considering.