If there’s such a thing as a bargain luxury-performance sedan, this is it
2021 Cadillac CT5-V
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.
2021 Cadillac CT5-V
MPG (city/hwy): 18/27 (RWD) Base price (incl. destination): $48,800
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 steering-wheel controls are intuitively laid out and the 10-inch highdefinition 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 fourcylinder producing 237 horsepower and 258 poundfeet 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 limitedslip rear differential, sport suspension with constantly adjusting (1,000 times per second) dampers, Brembo-brand brakes and a tractionmanagement 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 rearor 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.
At each gear change under moderate to hard
The CT5 is a more complete performance package.
acceleration, there’s a short and sudden
‘BLAAAP’ noise — also common to Audi and Mercedes-benz competitors — and will likely give CT5-V owners a thrill. Until it gets annoying and they change exhaust modes.
According to Cadillac, the CT5-V can reach
60 mph from rest in a reasonably quick 4.6 seconds, which feels about right.
Fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg in the city,
27 on the highway and 21 combined.
Pricing starts at $48,800 for the RWD model and $51,400 for the AWD. Among the optional packages is Cadillac’s latest semi-autonomous
Super Cruise system that for 2021 comes with lane-change-on-demand capability (which does exactly what you think it would do).
Other extras include a panoramic sunroof, driver’s- and passenger’s-seat lumbar massage, illuminated door handles and sill plates and a 15-speaker Bosebrand audio system. Key active-safety technology is included, such as emergency braking and blind-spot warning, but lane-departure warning and active cruise control are optional.
The question is whether the CT5-V’S attributes put it in the same league with the BMWS and Audis of the world. The answer is absolutely. The bonus is that the Cadillac costs less, which makes it a terrific value.