If there’s such a thing as a bargain luxury-performance sedan, this is it
With much talk centered on the coming electric-vehicle revolution, it’s interesting that Cadillac continues to offer an expanding assortment of performance sedans that lean on internal-combustion engines. Cadillac will indeed be a leader for parent company General Motors’ electrification effort, but in the meantime the new V-Series sedans growl and snort delightful sounds with pistons, turbochargers and gasoline. Bottom line? Enjoy them while you can.
The midsize CT5-V — the subject of this review — and the smaller CT4-V are equipped with higheroutput powertrains (plus a number of specialty features) that separate them from their less-sporting relatives. Being sedans, the pond they swim in is dominated by BMW, Lexus, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The four brands also offer assorted performance models. For BMW, they get the M badge. For Lexus it’s the letter F, Audi builds S and RS variants and Mercedes-Benz has its AMG models. For Cadillac, it’s all in the V.
The CT-5, which was launched for the 2020 model year alongside the CT4, shares styling DNA with Cadillac’s three XT-class utility vehicles, particularly in the shape of the grille. The result is a sharp- and smart-looking sedan with subtly sculpted body panels that will neither offend or cause passersby to point and stare.
The CT5 is about seven inches longer than the CT4 and has a wheelbase that’s greater by the same amount. With the difference mostly going to the CT5’s passengers, trunk room is only slightly greater than the CT4’s. The gauges, switches and steeringwheel controls are intuitively laid out and the 10-inch high-definition touch-screen has a convenient volume knob (some vehicles make you go to the screen). The fussy pistol-grip shifter isn’t as intuitive as a conventional lever, but it’s better than dials or buttons.
The base CT5 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Optional is a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 with 335 horses and 405 pound-feet. A 10-speed automatic transmission directs power to the rear, or optionally to all four wheels. The CT5-V is something else. You get a 360-horsepower version of 3.0-liter V-6 and the kind of content you would expect/want in a performance sedan, such as an electronic limited-slip rear differential, sport suspension with constantly adjusting (1,000 times per second) dampers, Brembo-brand brakes and a traction-management system originally developed for the Chevrolet Corvette. Each of the modes — Dry, Wet, Race and two Sport levels — vary the traction and stability settings, or the system can be turned off for intervention-free driving.
As with the standard CT5, the V is available in rear- or all-wheel-drive, which is significant in terms of traction and four-seasons suitability. (The AWD test car was shod with winter tires.)
The car makes some fantastic noises during acceleration. Push the “V”-mode button on the steering wheel for custom performance settings including one that makes the exhaust even louder.