Used 2021 Cadillac CT4

The 2021 Cadillac CT4 small luxury/sport sedan is now in the second year of its existence. It’s the least expensive new Cadillac, with a larger inventory of standard equipment for this spin around the sun.

Competitive cars are similar gateway-to-premium creations like the subcompact Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3, and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which all have higher base prices. In terms of size, though, the 2021 CT4 is closer to even costlier compact models like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The one car that could be the main argument against buying a new CT4 is the Genesis G70 luxury compact sedan. It’s exceptionally well equipped, has greater power in its standard form, rides and handles like a champ, has a best-in-class 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and only costs a few thousand more.

Overall, the 2021 CT4 is a well-balanced entry-level luxury sport sedan with an engaging driving experience. It splits the difference between the tautness of a BMW and the compliance of a Mercedes-Benz.

The optional 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the Premium Luxury provides plenty of kick and eager acceleration -– taking around five seconds in the sprint from standstill to 60 mph. And the rear-drive setup gives the CT4 a true sport sedan feel.

The base engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit, makes 237 horsepower. That’s about average for small luxury sedans and adequate for this car’s size. And zipping from standstill to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds is pretty quick.

This engine connects to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.7-liter engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic. Both work well, with smooth changes and immediate responses, kicking down a couple of gears whenever the accelerator pedal is nailed.

Switching between Tour and Sport modes changes the character noticeably. Tour mode is great for everyday driving; the Sport setting adjusts the throttle and transmission for faster reactions.

The CT4-V has that 2.7-liter engine as standard, but enjoys a greater power output over the Premium Luxury’s version: 325 horsepower as opposed to 310. It also has a Race mode and launch control for the transmission, plus Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, and the Performance Traction Management system (also used in the Corvette) as standard. This machine is serious fun. For even more seriousness, the 2021 CT4-V Blackwing is expected to deliver the fantastic performance and abilities of Cadillac’s earlier V models.

Pleasant, but not exactly groundbreaking, that’s the cabin of the Cadillac CT4. Accommodations for the front occupants are relatively roomy, and even base models come with 2-way lumbar support. Or buyers may choose 4-way lumbar support with a massaging function (see Favorite Features). Simulated leather upholstery is standard — the real stuff is optional in the top two trims.

Cabin materials feel merely OK for a luxury car. The padding on the dash and door tops feels thin. Some ergonomics are also a little off. The audio controls on the steering wheel are arranged oddly, with the tuning buttons perpendicular to the volume buttons. But at least the optional rotary infotainment controller in Premium Luxury trim (standard in the CT4-V) makes it easy to access the audio, navigation, and other functions.

At 8 inches, the infotainment touchscreen is only just big enough and will no doubt appear smaller by comparison in years to come. Fortunately, the infotainment system itself is responsive and has been updated for 2021.

Considering Cadillac decided to make its smallest sedan about the size of a compact, rear legroom of 33.4 inches is not as generous as any subcompact German rival. And 10.7 cubic feet of trunk space is tight.

The Cadillac CT4 is arguably a pretty sharp-looking sedan. Up front is an elegant, well-proportioned grille flanked by Cadillac’s boomerang-shaped daytime running lights. Forming a distinctly tapered tail, the rear window flows into the line of the trunk, whose lid is flanked by a corresponding set of boomerang taillights.

Alloy wheels range in size from 17 to 19 inches. The CT4 Sport trim has a rear spoiler, body-colored rocker panels, and black window surrounds.

The Diamond Sky Special Edition package for Premium Luxury trim brings special paintwork and exterior elements, plus Brembo brakes. Infrared Tintcoat is a new color choice for any CT4.

MASSAGING FRONT SEATS
Optional in the CT4 Sport, this lumbar massage function helps to keep fatigue at bay for both the driver and front passenger during those long drives. Or even just for the sake of it on short trips.

2.7-LITER TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
Available in the CT4 Premium Luxury, this engine has greater muscle and comes with an excellent 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Cadillac CT4 comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and CT4-V versions.

The base Luxury trim includes dual-zone automatic climate control (with rear vents), simulated leather upholstery, keyless entry/ignition, remote start, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, paddle shifters, and acoustic laminated glass.

The standard infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two USB ports, an 8-speaker audio system, Wi-fi, and satellite radio (Sirius XM with 360L is new for 2021).

Among the advanced safety features are forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, the newly standard Safety Alert Seat (for a novel way of getting the driver’s attention if there’s a hazard), and the programmable Teen Driver key — now with the Buckle to Drive feature that keeps the transmission in Park until the driver’s seat belt is fastened.

Premium Luxury includes leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ambient interior lighting, memory settings, rear parking sensors, universal garage door opener, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

Sport trim ups the visual impact with a trim-specific grille treatment, rocker panels, and rear spoiler, plus alloy pedals and 18-way power-adjustable front seats. Strangely, Sport trim does not qualify for the upgraded drivetrain. Perhaps even more strange is that the Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension that’s standard in the rear-drive CT4-V is deleted when all-wheel drive is installed.

Apart from a few things like all-wheel drive and navigation, most options are reserved for the upper three trims. These include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, sunroof, cabin air ionizer, and front parking sensors.

A Bose 14-speaker audio system is available in every CT4 (standard in the CTV-4), but it sounds muddy to our ears even when playing high-resolution, loss-less FLAC audio files. Wireless phone charging is also optional across the range (again, standard in the CTV-4).

Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is optional in the Premium Luxury and CT4-V models. It’s been updated for this year and includes a 360-degree camera system.

With the exception of the upcoming CT4-V Blackwing, every 2021 CT4 is powered by some kind of turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

A 2.0-liter version making 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque is standard in the first three trim levels. This engine connects to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Premium Luxury also offers the option of a 2.7-liter unit developing 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This drivetrain is standard in the performance-oriented CT4-V, but the output is boosted to 325 horsepower and 380 lb-ft torque.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard across the lineup; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional in every variant.

Both engines have a fuel-saving stop/restart feature that kicks in while idling. It can be turned off. Premium gasoline is required.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/34 mpg (RWD), 23/32 mpg (AWD)

2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4
310 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg (RWD), 21/29 mpg (AWD)

2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 (CT4-V)
325 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29 mpg (RWD), 20/28 mpg (AWD)