Used 2023 Cadillac CT5

In most ways that matter, the 2023 Cadillac CT5 is a real-deal luxury midsize sedan. It has the classic layout of rear-wheel drive with the option of all-wheel drive. Technology features include Super Cruise — a hands-free driving system. And for those who love to be more hands-on (and feet-on), there’s the super-powerful CT5-V Blackwing with a manual transmission.

Other attributes include a suitably roomy cabin, a decent infotainment system, optional massaging front seats, and a certain panache to the exterior design. Where it deviates from the typical luxury sedan path can even be a positive.

One such aspect is pricing, which is reasonable when taken in this heady context. The base model is one of the cheapest in its class. Even the high-performance Blackwing is something of a bargain when pitted against cars like the BMW M5.

This is a tale of four engines. The 235-horsepower 4-cylinder unit in the first three trim levels fails to excite, despite being turbocharged. And the suspension is tuned more for plushness than poise. Those seeking a comfy Caddie for relaxed driving need look no further.

Buyers considering the Premium Luxury trim, though, should also investigate the 335-horsepower V6 offered as an option. This is much more of what a modern luxury midsize sedan is all about, although the suspension doesn’t improve. That happens with the optional adaptive setup in the Sport trim. But, annoyingly, Sport trim is not eligible for the V6.

Achieving the sweet spot of a better suspension with bigger power means getting into the CT5-V and taking that 360-horsepower V6 out for regular exercise, which won’t be a chore at all.

Chances are that buyers zooming in on the CT5-V Blackwing are approaching it from another direction. Not from the more sedate 2023 CT5 variants, but after looking at high-performance cars like the BMW M5, Audi RS 6/RS 7, or Mercedes-AMG E 63 S and wanting to spend around $10,000 less — while still having a well-tuned adaptive sport suspension and a supercharged V8 making a massive 668 horsepower. It’s the most powerful Cadillac ever put into production.

Some 3-pedal diehards will take their Blackwing with the standard 6-speed manual transmission. That’s their prerogative, but the 10-speed automatic that’s standard across the rest of the range is absolutely fine and helps the car achieve a quicker sprint from standstill to 60 mph: 3.4 seconds instead of 3.6. Top speed is 200 mph.

It’s the usual gripe with vehicles from General Motors — disappointing plastics in the cabin. Details like these are crucial in the luxury arena. That’s why marques such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz have boulevard credibility, and Cadillac struggles to get the same classy light.

Then again, the 2023 CT5 midsize sedan has a decent amount of space and respectable levels of standard equipment for the money. Rear legroom of 37.9 inches is only surpassed by the Lexus ES.

Nice little touches include the extendable cushion support for the driver’s seat from Premium Luxury trim upward. And the alloy pedals in the Sport and V models.

Trunk space of 11.9 cubic feet is not so nice. This is one of the smallest in the class, and the narrow aperture makes dealing with large suitcases unnecessarily tricky.

Cadillac has its own styling approach not influenced by Audi minimalism or the oversized grilles of Lexus. And that can be seen as a positive.

This visual vocabulary suits the 2023 CT5 luxury midsize sedan well enough. The look is upscale yet restrained. Although restraint gives way to extra sportiness in the V models with their added aerodynamic pieces.

New premium colors this year are Radiant Red Tintcoat, Argent Silver Metallic, and Midnight Steel Metallic.

SUPER CRUISE
This optional feature is a hands-free adaptive cruise control system that works on certain highways. 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. It works.

AKG AUDIO SYSTEM
AKG is renowned for making high-quality microphones and headphones. Now there’s an AKG audio system in the 2023 CT5-V Blackwing for when that supercharged V8 isn’t sufficiently musical.

It’s called Luxury, but this is the first trim of the 2023 CT5 premium midsize sedan range. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/taillights, rain-sensing wipers, remote start, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and rear parking sensors.

The infotainment system includes a 10-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, one USB-A port, two USB-C ports, Wi-Fi, wireless charging, and nine speakers.

Among the standard safety features are forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, following distance indicator, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat.

The next-up Premium Luxury trim brings a power-adjustable steering column, memory settings, ambient cabin lighting, perforated leather seating surfaces, adaptive cruise control, and reverse automatic braking.

Sport trim comes with 19-inch alloy wheels and reverts to simulated leather upholstery.

Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport are eligible for heated front seats/steering wheel, navigation, a dual-pane sunroof, larger alloy wheels, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system.

Premium Luxury and Sport are offered with the Super Cruise system of partial self-driving. They also qualify for a Technology package that includes a 12-inch digital driver information display and a head-up display (optional in CT5-V, standard in Blackwing).

A Platinum package adds the Bose audio system, semi-aniline leather upholstery, navigation, parking assistance, and massaging front seats. And a Parking package brings a rear camera mirror — a 360-degree system with recorder — rear pedestrian alert, and (of course) parking assistance.

Sport trim offers a V Performance package with a sport-tuned adaptive suspension and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Brembo brakes and a simulated suede-wrapped steering wheel are also optional at this trim level.

The CT5-V comes standard with an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. This model is eligible for Super Cruise, plus heated/ventilated/massaging front seats and a 360-degree camera system.

These last two items are standard in the 2023 CT5-V Blackwing, which has a sportier setup of the adaptive suspension, an AKG 16-speaker audio system, and comes with an on-track tuition session in high-performance driving.

This top version loses the remote start function, adaptive cruise control, and reverse automatic braking if it has the manual transmission. It’s similarly ineligible for Super Cruise unless the automatic transmission is present. The Blackwing also offers carbon-ceramic brakes.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is employed by the Luxury, Premium, and Sport versions, developing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Premium Luxury also offers the option of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 making 335 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. This same V6 gets boosted to 360 horsepower (identical torque figure) in the CT5-V.

The ultimate CT5 is the V-Series Blackwing high-performance sedan, propelled by a mighty 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is found in most versions of the 2023 CT5, although the Blackwing comes standard with a 6-speed manual — the 10-speed auto is optional here.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the default configuration. All-wheel drive (AWD) is offered with the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines. Not with the Blackwing.

CT5 models require premium gasoline across the board. These fuel economy estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relate to 2022, but 2023’s should be the same.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport)
235 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/33 mpg (RWD), 22/30 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Premium Luxury opt.)
335 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 2,350-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (RWD), 18/26 mpg (AWD)

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

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (CT5-V Blackwing)
668 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
659 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/21 mpg (manual), 13/22 mpg (auto)