2025 Cadillac CT5-V

It’s good to see homegrown contenders going up against stiff competition from Europe and emerging with credibility. The CT5-V Blackwing does exactly that, while costing much less. The less powerful yet still capable and enjoyable CT5-V also makes a strong argument for itself. It may seem odd to talk about how a couple of cars from Cadillac, of all places, are considered bona fide enthusiast machines, but that’s how good these CT5-V models really are.

Both variants receive revised styling, fresh paint choices, a lighting sequence for approaches and departures, quad trapezoid exhaust tips, and a new 33-inch master display incorporating an instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen powered by a new Google-based operating system, plus the performance data/lap recorder software has also been upgraded. Additionally, the Blackwing now offers carbon fiber packages.

Rivals to the CT5-V might include the BMW 5 Series — we’re thinking of the 540i xDrive sedan specifically, although it’s substantially pricier and not quite as sporty. Similarly, the CT5-V Blackwing has no like-for-like competition. The BMW M5, for example, is a plug-in hybrid and costs about $20,000 more.

Before buying a new Cadillac CT5-V or CT5-V Blackwing midsize luxury sports sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

A twin-turbocharged V6 endows the CT5-V with 360 hp and the ability to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in a rapid 4.6 seconds. That’s the same sprint time as the 375-hp BMW 540i xDrive.

Chances are that buyers zooming in on the CT5-V Blackwing are approaching not from the more sedate CT5 variants but after looking at high-performance cars like the BMW M5 or Mercedes-AMG E 63 S and wanting to spend thousands of dollars less, while still having a well-tuned adaptive sport suspension and a supercharged V8 making massive power.

Actually, both CT5-V models have a sport-tuned adaptive suspension as standard, enabling drivers to select between comfortable and firmer settings. It’s just that the Blackwing also enjoys a mighty 668 hp and will zip from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. It’s a performance bargain.

Fuel Economy

Economy probably isn’t a priority for CT5-V or CT5-V Blackwing buyers, but here are the numbers anyway. CT5-V rear-wheel drive: 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. With all-wheel drive, it’s almost the same, except for 26 mpg on the highway (instead of 27 mpg). For reference, the all-wheel-drive BMW 540i xDrive achieves 28 mpg combined.

The rear-drive-only Blackwing returns 15 mpg combined (13 city, 20 highway) with an automatic transmission. The manual transmission returns the same figures, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We aren’t going to compare these figures with those of the BMW M5 or either E-Class AMG models, because they’re all plug-in hybrids.

When talking about the regular CT5, it’s at this point that we would moan a bit about cheaper materials found here and there, and how they shouldn’t be in a luxury car. We’re going to give the CT5-V models a pass, however, because the performance-per-dollar ratio buys the cars a fair amount of leeway. In addition, the 2025 CT5-V gains a large 33-inch display containing an instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen, raising the tech levels.

Naturally, the front seats are of the sporty variety, with plenty of side support for those times when the driver feels like taking a quick corner. Generally speaking, the CT5 has a decent amount of space and respectable levels of standard equipment. Rear legroom of 37.9 inches is good for the class and absolutely fine for adults of average build. Trunk space of 11.9 cubic feet is not so great. This is one of the smallest in the class, and the narrow aperture makes dealing with large suitcases unnecessarily tricky.

A few minor alterations bring the 2025 CT5-V’s appearance more into line with the rest of Cadillac’s current portfolio. The grille is lower and wider than before, the front air intakes have been reshaped to be more vertical, and the LED headlights are now stacked. These V cars also gain quad exhaust outlets with trapezoidal tips.

New paint choices this year are Deep Space Metallic (black), Drift Metallic (light blue), and Typhoon Metallic (a kind of emerald green).

Infotainment system
Accessed through the new 33-inch touchscreen unit, this system has Google Built-In, allowing access to apps like Google Maps, Google Play (video games), and Google Assistant. Users can even set up their own personalized interface.

Super Cruise
This standard feature is a hands-free adaptive cruise control system that works on certain highways (approaching 750,000 miles of them in North America). The driver’s eyes must always be engaged — no scrolling through Instagram on the phone, for example. Super Cruise can also execute safe lane changes. We’ve used it. It works.

Brembo brakes
For anyone who might not know, Brembo counts top marques like Aston Martin and Ferrari among its many high-class clients. The CT5-V has Brembo brakes up front, the Blackwing has them on each wheel.

Performance data and video recorder
This optional feature can improve an owner’s track performance and preserve their best laps. It shows plenty of crucial details, offers speed tips, and even displays information for a driving coach in the front passenger seat.

AKG audio
AKG is a big and well-respected name in the sound reproduction business. The CT5-V has a 15-speaker system, while the CT5-V Blackwing comes with a 16-speaker setup.

Manual transmission in the CT5-V Blackwing
Imagine the meeting when one of the engineers suggested putting a 6-speed stick shift into this midsize luxury sedan. After the initial shock, everyone must have thought: “Well, the CT5-V Blackwing is ultra-sporty, and a manual transmission could appeal to all the true enthusiasts out there.” It is. And it does.

The 2025 CT5-V employs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developing a punchy 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, with this energy going to either the rear wheels or an optional all-wheel drive system. The CT5-V Blackwing packs a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 generating an awesome 668 hp and 659 lb-ft, and it’s rear-wheel-drive exclusively.

The CT5-V comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Blackwing has a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. A 10-speed automatic is available as an option.

There’s also the regular CT5 lineup, which we review separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Cadillac’s new-car warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s common among luxury car makers, although the powertrain warranty is a little better than usual: six years or 70,000 miles, including roadside assistance. The first scheduled service is also free.

Safety Ratings

This generation of CT5 has earned a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors, and a vibrating safety alert driver’s seat.