Used 2021 Cadillac CT5

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 luxury sedan resists being pigeonholed. Priced below typical premium compacts like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, its overall size is closer to midsize contenders. As well as a starting figure below $40,000, the CT5 has an angular, arguably attractive exterior design and offers Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

Beyond these attributes, however, the 2021 CT5 faces an uphill battle against better, more established contenders. As well as against the excellent Genesis G70, a relative newcomer. The CT5’s basic turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is down on power, its driving dynamics are not as enjoyable, and the interior and technology feel a step behind the competition.

In common with the class benchmark, the BMW 3 Series, the Cadillac CT5 has a rear-drive layout (all-wheel drive is optional). This setup tends to provide a sportier, livelier, and generally more thrilling experience than a front-drive counterpart.

The standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine makes the CT5 reasonably quick in a straight line. And, in usual Cadillac fashion, the regular CT5’s ride quality is comfortable.

Yet, the CT5 cannot match, let alone beat, the cream of the premium compact crop. The BMW feels quicker, more agile, and just more competent overall, with far better feel to the steering. The Cadillac CT5’s steering, by comparison, seems vague and numb. Which is made even more disappointing by the fact that the CT5 was all-new for the 2020 model year, so Cadillac has had plenty of time to work on it and knew the height of the bar.

Out of the superb current competition, almost any alternative would be preferable. As well as the usual choices like the 3 Series, Lexus IS, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it’s worth considering the Genesis G70. From Hyundai’s luxury division, the G70 is a more complete package, offering greater power, better driving dynamics, agreeable design, and the best warranty in the business.

The CT5-V does redeem Cadillac to a certain extent. The marque’s V-cars have often been wonderful and powerful, hot versions to rival a BMW M or a Mercedes-Benz AMG. The CT5-V is more lukewarm, running with just 360 horsepower, but is at least $6,000 less expensive than a German rival. It also has the same Performance Traction Management system as the Chevrolet Corvette, along with a standard sport-tuned adaptive suspension.

As with most luxury compact sedans, rear passenger space in the 5-seater 2021 CT5 isn’t vast, but better than most. Being larger overall pays off in extra legroom. Access to the rear seats, however, is hampered by narrow door openings. Up front, the CT5 feels oddly cramped for both driver and passenger.

This Cadillac luxury sedan also risks coming up short in its interior design. For example, the small, BMW-like dial (controlling audio, phone, and other functions) below the transmission lever is nicely functional, but it could be seen as too plain. Such a minimalist approach would feel more appropriate in a Chevy than a Cadillac.

The 10-inch touchscreen is admirably large. And physical knobs for both volume and tuning are always welcome, yet using them is awkward because they’re placed so close to each other. The Rear Camera Mirror is a great feature, turning the conventional rearview mirror into a digital screen displaying a wide, clear view behind.

Despite the CT5’s length, its trunk capacity of 11.9 cu ft. is not only smaller than rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volvo S60, it’s also hampered by a narrow aperture.

The sleek metal jacket of the Cadillac CT5’s exterior is arguably one of the car’s more attractive qualities. Its wide stance makes a visual impact. And vertically oriented LED units at both ends help the car stand out at night. At 193.8 inches long, the CT5 is a smidge shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury midsize sedan (measuring 194.3 inches).

The CT5 comes with 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch rims on Premium Luxury, Sport, and CT5-V trims. The CT5-V has its own specific details like a mesh grille, dark exterior elements, and a quad exhaust system.

An optional Diamond Sky Metallic Edition package for the Premium Luxury trim brings special paintwork and alloy wheels, plus Brembo brakes with blue calipers. Infrared Tintcoat is a new CT5 paint choice for 2021.

EXTERIOR DESIGN
Being subjective for a moment, the CT5 has one of the most striking Cadillac designs in recent memory. Long and lean proportions create a classic sports sedan shape marked by a sweeping hood, tucked tail, and wide stance.

TWIN-TURBO V6
The standard 4-cylinder’s 237 hp delivers adequate performance. But premium cars deserve premium power. The optional twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 makes 335 hp and a robust 405 lb-ft of torque in the regular versions, or 360 hp in the CT5-V.

The 2021 CT5 comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and CT5-V variants. Base Luxury trim has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/taillights, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, programmable Teen Driver key, 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, satellite radio (now with SiriusXM 360L in the United States and Canada), three USB-C ports and a USB-A port.

Standard safety features include forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat. Unlike the Genesis G70, however, other driver-assistance features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring are not even optional in the base model.

The base CT5 lacks the safety and driver-assistance features that come standard in other cars in its class (and many below it). So stretching to Premium Luxury trim is probably advisable, which adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, plus a self-dimming rearview mirror, leather seating surfaces, and wireless phone charging.

Yet this version doesn’t come with lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control – things that are standard in the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. They cost extra even in the top-end CT5-V.

The Sport version has a trim-specific grille, fascia and spoiler, 18-way power-adjustable front seats, and magnesium paddle shifters. The CT5-V enjoys the most powerful V6, Brembo brakes, Magnetic Ride Control (adaptive suspension), and an electronic limited-slip differential as standard.

A Climate package for the top three trims brings heated/ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. A new Technology package for 2021 adds a head-up display and a revised 12-inch digital instrument cluster. All trims may be ordered with navigation and a 15-speaker Bose audio setup. Premium Luxury and CT5-V models are also eligible for Cadillac’s Super Cruise partially autonomous driving system.

The base engine in the 2021 Cadillac CT5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is optional in the Premium Luxury version, standard (in boosted form) in the CT5-V. In the former, output is 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. In the latter, it’s 360 hp with the torque figure unchanged.

Throughout the range, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the default configuration; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. And every 2021 CT5 has a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Both engines require premium gasoline and have a stop/restart feature cutting power at idle. It can be disabled with the touch of a button.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 hp @ 5,000 rpm
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 hp @ 5,400 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 2,350-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (RWD), 18/26 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (CT5-V)
360 hp @ 5,400 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 2,350-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (RWD), 18/26 mpg (AWD)