Used 2020 Cadillac CT5

#7 in Best Midsize Luxury Cars of 2020

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 is an all-new luxury sedan that replaces the CTS in the American automaker’s lineup. Though slightly smaller than the model it replaces, the new CT5 is something of a ‘tweener: Dimensionally it is closer to a midsize sedan, but it has a starting price lower than compact-luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In addition to a base price below $40,000, the CT5 has an alluring, angular design and offers Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

Beyond those traits, however, the Cadillac CT5 has an uphill battle against better, more entrenched rivals. Its standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has less power than those of its competitors, the Cadillac’s driving manners are not as enjoyable, its cabin feels more cramped, and the vehicle’s overall interior and technology feel a step behind those of rivals ranging from the aforementioned Germans to the fresh Genesis G70 and Volvo S60.

As with a BMW 3 Series, long the benchmark among compact-luxury sedans, the Cadillac CT5 is rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional). This kind of setup naturally translates itself to a sportier, livelier and more fun-to-drive experience than a comparable front-wheel-drive car. Combined with the new Cadillac’s standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the CT5 is reasonably quick in a straight line. And as should be expected of a Caddy, the CT5 is also quite comfortable and compliant.

But the sum of its parts still can’t beat — or even measure up to — the best of its rivals. The aforementioned BMW feels quicker, spryer and more competent, while also offering far better steering feel. The Cadillac CT5’s steering feel, by comparison, feels vague and numb. The CT5 may bill itself as a sports sedan, but amid today’s excellent competition, we would prefer almost any of its competitors if it were our money. In addition to the usual suspects like the 3 Series, Lexus IS, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, we also highly prefer the Genesis G70. That car from Hyundai’s new luxury brand is a far more complete package, offering more power, better driving dynamics, great design and the best warranty in the business.

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The Cadillac CT5 sedan has a 5-passenger cabin. As with most compact-luxury sedans, rear-seat room isn’t vast, but the Cadillac’s is better than most competitors. Because the CT5 is larger overall than compact sedans, it pays off in extra legroom. Rear-seat access, however, is hampered by the narrower rear-door opening. Up front, the Cadillac feels a bit cramped for driver and passenger.

This new Cadillac luxury sedan also comes up short in its interior design. For example, while part of us wants to appreciate the small, BMW-like rotary dial below the transmission lever that controls audio, phone and other functions, it risks being too plain. The minimalistic setup feels more befitting of a Chevy badge, not a Cadillac. The 10-inch touch screen is admirably large, and we like that there are both volume and tuning knobs, but their placement so close to each other is awkward. The CT5 has a traditional analog display as standard, but a more modern digital cluster is available.

Finally, at 11.9 cubic feet, the CT5’s trunk capacity not only trails that of rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volvo S60, it is further hampered by a narrow design. One nifty feature available is the Rear Camera Mirror. With a flick, the rearview mirror turns into a digital screen that displays a wide, clear view of what’s behind.

As we’ve said, the Cadillac CT5’s design is one of its more alluring traits. Its sleek and svelte metal suit makes a statement, and its wide stance is impactful. At 193.8 inches long, it is a smidge shorter than the outgoing Cadillac CTS that the CT5 replaces.

Though Cadillac considers the CT5 a compact-luxury sedan, it’s more midsize in its dimensions. In fact, it is the exact same length as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class midsize-luxury sedan, which starts over $54,000. The CT5 comes with 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch rollers available on Sport and Premium Luxury trims. Among the Cadillac’s most distinguishing features are its light treatments. Front and back are vertically oriented LED lights that help it stand out at night.

EXTERIOR DESIGN
To our eyes, the new CT5 has one of the most striking designs in recent Cadillac memory. Sporting long, lean proportions, the CT5 has a classic sports-sedan shape marked by a sweeping hood, tucked tail and wide stance.

TWIN-TURBO V6
While the standard 4-cylinder with its 237 horsepower had adequate performance, we like the numbers of the optional twin-turbo V6 far better. That 3.0-liter 6-cylinder touts 335 horsepower and a robust 400 lb-ft of torque, which should translate to far more spirited performance.

The CT5 sedan comes in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. In base Luxury form, it includes a 10-inch touch-screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 18-inch wheels, and a voice-recognition system. Standard safety features include forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. Unlike a better competitor like the Genesis G70, however, not only does the CT5 not come with active safety and driver-assist features like lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring, they are not even optional on base models.

Because the base CT5 is hamstrung by the lack of safety and driver-assistance features that come standard in other cars in its class (and many below it, like a sub-$20,000 Honda Civic), if you are set on buying a CT5, then we recommend stepping up to the Premium Luxury trim. That adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, leather seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear parking sensors and wireless phone charging. Yet even this model doesn’t come with lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, which again come standard in mainstream economy cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. You will still have to pay extra for them in the CT5, even in the top-end CT5 Sport model.

The Sport model also includes a unique grille, fascia and spoiler, 18-way-adjustable front seats, Brembo front brakes and magnesium paddle shifters. In addition to the previously mentioned safety features you must pay extra for, other options on Premium Luxury and Sport trims include the rearview-camera mirror system, rear pedestrian alert, head-up display and digital instrument cluster. Cadillac’s Super Cruise will also be available. If you want a V6, you’ll have to choose the Premium Luxury or Sport trim, then pay extra.

Two engines are available in Cadillac’s CT5: Standard is an adequate though hardly best-in-class turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 237 horsepower. Better is the twin-turbo V6, which is optional in the Premium Luxury model and standard in the V-Series. It puts out 335 horsepower and a very respectable 400 lb-ft of torque. Both are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The CT5 is rear-wheel drive (RWD) by nature, with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional with either engine. As with more and more new cars, the Cadillac CT5 has an engine start/stop feature that cuts power at idle. Thankfully, unlike some past GM vehicles, the CT5 offers the choice of disabling the start/stop with the press of a button.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm, est.
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (RWD), 21/31 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
335 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm, est.
400 lb-ft of torque @ 2,400-4,400 rpm, est.
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (RWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD), 18/26 mpg (RWD CT5 V), 17/25 (AWD CT5 V)