Summary
If you’re interested in the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing but your budget doesn’t fit, the regular 2023 CT4 will give you the taste of a sports sedan at a much more affordable price. The handling is pleasant and the style is distinctive if not beautiful; a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder engines are offered and the larger one provides a good amount of oomph. The base powerplant is a 237-hp 2.0-liter, and the optional 2.7-liter produces up to 325 horsepower and significantly improves the performance of the CT4. Inside, the CT4 does its best to meet the standards of more expensive Cadillac models, and there are plenty of standard tech features layered throughout the cabin. Rivals like the Audi A3 and BMW 2-series Gran Coupe outperformed the Caddy, but their front-wheel-drive based platforms don’t offer the same rear-wheel-drive setup that makes the CT4 so much fun to drive. drive.
What’s New in 2023?
Cadillac’s entry-level model doesn’t see any significant changes for 2023, but three new colors — Radiant Red Tintcoat, Argent Silver Metallic, and Midnight Steel Metallic — spice up the exterior color palette.
Price and Where to Buy
The mid-range Premium Luxury trim marks a high-value place in the CT4 lineup. Moving from the basic Luxury model to Premium Luxury brings luxuries like genuine leather upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels. We’ll splurge and add a premium Bose audio system, which includes navigation and a 14-speaker stereo system. Whichever package option you choose, do yourself a favor and opt for the more powerful 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But we have to admit being tempted by V; With a sportier suspension and a more purposeful look, this is a credible sports sedan.
Engine, Transmission and Performance
Buyers can choose between two turbocharged four-cylinder engines: the 237-hp 2.0-liter as the base for the mid-range Luxury and Premium Luxury and Sport models, while the 2.7-liter is optional in the Premium Luxury and standard in the CT4-V. It makes 309 horsepower in the former and 325 horsepower in the latter. The smaller of the two engines is paired to an eight-speed automatic while the larger four gets a 10-speed. Rear-wheel drive is the standard setting and a rarity in this segment. Rivals like the A3 and Gran Coupe 2-series are both based on front-drive chassis. The CT4 offers all-wheel drive on all models as an option. We’ve been riding CT4-V and found it to be athletic, vibrant and fast, although we would have preferred the refinement over the 10-speed gearbox. Even in this sportiest guise, the Caddy’s suspension handles potholes without penalizing passengers and provides a sharp, satisfying handling that any car enthusiast can appreciate.
Real World Fuel Economy and MPG
Both CT4 turbocharged four-cylinder engines provide decent fuel economy. The rear-wheel drive model with the 2.0-liter is highly rated at 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. The more powerful 2.7-liter engine is less efficient but not much, with the rear-drive model coming in at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. The main rival CT4 boasts a similar fuel economy rating. For more information on CT4 fuel economy, visit EPA website.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
In CT4, Cadillac has wisely switched to a more user-friendly control setup versus a mostly touch-sensitive interface found on its predecessor, the Cadillac ATS. While the interior design and quality of materials may seem appealing at first, they are mediocre in the end. Cabin space is cramped for adults, especially in the rear seats, but Cadillac keeps some luxury features standard even on the base trim, including power-adjustable 12-way front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Moving up through the range delivers more desirable features, such as leather seats, magnesium paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and mirrors.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All CT4s come with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest CUE software. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces come standard, as does the onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Cadillac offers navigation on all models. It comes bundled with a 14-speaker Bose stereo system that replaces the car’s standard eight-speaker setup.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
Cadillac offers a number of driver assistance feature as standard but has the high-tech Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving mode as an option only available on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims. For more information on CT4 crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key security features include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane departure warning with lane guard assistance
- Adaptive cruise control available with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Cadillac beats its rivals with two more years and 20,000 miles more coverage on the powertrain part of its warranty, but Cadillac buyers Grand Coupe series 2 treated three years of free maintenance whereas CT4 only offers one free visit.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Free maintenance is covered for the first visit
specification
specification
Cadillac CT4 450T AWD 2020
TRANSPORTATION TYPE
front engine, all wheel drive, 5 passenger sedan, 4 door
PRICE ACCORDING TO TEST
$46,515 (base price: $44,190)
MACHINE TYPE
inline-4 16-valve DOHC turbocharged and intercooled, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Transfer
166 inches32727 cm3
Power
310 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque
350 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10 speed auto
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.8-in/12.4-in ventilated disc
Tires: Continental ProContact RX, 235/40R-18 91V M+S TPC
SIZE
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 187.2 inches
Width: 71.5 inches
Height: 56.0 inches
Passenger volume: 90 feet3
Cargo volume: 11 feet3
Curb weight: 3725 lb
CD TEST RESULT
60 mph: 4.7 seconds
100 mph: 12.6 seconds
130 mph: 24.7 seconds
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.5 seconds
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
1/4 mile: 13.4 seconds @ 103 mph
Top speed (limited by governor): 140 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 feet
Road handle, 300 ft diameter skidpad: 0.81 g
Stand-start axle timing eliminates 1 foot launch for 0.3 seconds.
CD FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 35 mpg
Highway coverage: 600 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 23/20/28 mpg
Cadillac CT4-V 2020
TRANSPORTATION TYPE
front engine, rear wheel drive, 5 passenger sedan, 4 door
PRICE ACCORDING TO TEST
$52,165 (base price: $45,490)
MACHINE TYPE
inline-4 16-valve DOHC turbocharged and intercooled, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Transfer
166 inches32727 cm3
Power
325 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
380 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10 speed auto
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.6-in/12.4-in ventilated disc
Tires: Continental SportContact 6 SSR, 235/40R-18 95Y TPC Spec 3150
SIZE
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 187.2 inches
Width: 71.5 inches
Height: 56.0 inches
Passenger volume: 90 feet3
Luggage volume: 11 feet3
Curb weight: 3631 lb
CD TEST RESULT
60 mph: 4.5 seconds
100 mph: 11.9 seconds
130 mph: 23.5 seconds
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.9 s
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.8 sec
1/4 mile: 13.2 seconds @ 104 mph
Top speed (mfr claim): 164 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 feet
Braking, 100–0 mph: 322 feet
Road handle, 300 ft diameter skidpad: 0.91 g
Stand-start axle timing eliminates 1 foot launch for 0.3 seconds.
CD FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 35 mpg
Highway coverage: 600 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 23/20/29 mpg
More Features and Specifications
