2025 Cadillac CT5

In this part of the automotive world, big hitters like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class invariably get most of the attention and publicity. Not surprisingly, since they are fantastic cars, and the 2024 model year brings new generations of both.

Some people, however, don’t want to spend an extra 10 grand or so if they don’t need to. Or they might have midsize luxury car aspirations but with compact luxury car budgets. Enter the 2025 CT5. This Cadillac sedan appeals to those seeking something more affordable yet still convincingly luxurious. With a boost in technology and safety features, this new CT5 increases that appeal.

In a couple of our (all glowing) consumer reviews, owners have said they would gladly buy the CT5 again. They get their chance, along with the rest of us, in spring 2024 when this 2025 model goes on sale.

The CT5 debuted for the 2020 model year, so it’s time for a refresh. There are styling tweaks at the front, centered around a new grille design, plus a couple of new exterior paint choices. Inside, every new CT5 comes with a high-resolution 33-inch touchscreen incorporating a digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system, with Google Built-In and Amazon Alexa compatibility, is entirely new.

More standard safety features also come on board, including blind-spot monitoring with active steering and intersection assistance with automatic emergency braking.

The high-performance 2025 CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing variants are also being updated. They get the tech updates of the regular CT5 plus distinctly sporty facelifts, and the Blackwing model now has Carbon Fiber Packages available.

Finally, the old Luxury trim is gone, leaving the Premium Luxury model as the new base trim. This means a notable hike in the starting price compared to the 2023 model.

To compare, the ever-excellent German contingent — the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class — all begin in the high 50s or low 60s. The CT5 really competes with more affordable rivals like the Genesis G80 (starting in the mid-50s) Lexus ES (mid-40s), and Acura TLX (low 40s).

Before buying a new CT5 luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are about average.

The base engine in the 2025 CT5 makes 237 horsepower — the same output as last year. It’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder unit, adequate for passing moves and getting up to freeway speeds, but less than the equivalents in the BMW 5 Series and Genesis G80.

Accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds leaves the CT5 about a second slower than most of its rivals. The standard setup is rear-wheel drive (RWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional and adds another few tenths to that sprint time.

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 should also investigate the twin-turbocharged 335-horsepower V6 offered as an option. In our opinion, this is much more of what a modern midsize luxury sedan is all about. Cadillac has carried this output over as well. Curiously, the V6 is unavailable in the Sport trim.

Sport trim comes with a slightly perkier suspension tuning but hasn’t been eligible for the V6 in the past. We’d like to see that situation change. Alternatively, the upcoming CT5-V boosts that V6 to what we expect will be 360 hp.

Chances are that buyers zooming in on the CT5-V Blackwing are approaching from another direction. Not from the more sedate 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 massive power.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury cars, including the Cadillac CT5.

Fuel Economy

Since Cadillac hasn’t changed anything in the engine bay, we assume that fuel economy won’t differ much from 2024. The 2.0-liter engine results in 27 combined mpg (23 city, 33 highway) with RWD, or 25 combined mpg (22 city, 30 highway) when AWD is in the picture. These figures are acceptable for the class.

The 3.0-liter V6 delivers 22 combined mpg (19 city, 27 highway) (RWD). AWD makes it thirstier to the tune of one mpg on each cycle.

Fuel economy probably isn’t a priority for CT5-V or CT5-V Blackwing buyers, but here are the numbers anyway. CT5-V (RWD): 21 combined mpg (18 city, 27 highway), all-wheel drive is almost the same, except for 26 mpg on the highway. The RWD-only Blackwing returns 16 combined mpg (13 city, 21 highway) with an automatic transmission. The manual transmission returns the same city and highway figures yet is reported at 15 mpg combined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The CT5 is a premium car that prefers premium gasoline.

Marques like Audi and Mercedes-Benz have excellent cabin materials, a crucial aspect in the luxury arena. In the past, Cadillac has struggled to match such classiness. The new dashboard in the 2025 GT5 should go some way to redress this imbalance.

The dominant feature is a large instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed in one sizeable 33-inch unit. Cadillac has kept quite a few switches and buttons, though, on both the center console and the steering wheel. Switch and button count is difficult to negotiate; too many controls make the place untidy. At the same time, too few require digging into infotainment system menus just to reduce the cabin temperature.

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 fine for adults of average build. Little touches include the extendable cushion support for the driver’s seat from the Premium Luxury trim upward and the alloy pedals in the Sport and V models.

The trunk space of 11.9 cubic feet is not so lovely. This is one of the smallest in the class, and the narrow aperture can make dealing with large suitcases tricky — not to mention the ever-important golf bag capacity count.

A few minor alterations make the 2025 CT5 more harmonious with the rest of Cadillac’s current portfolio. The grille is lower and broader than before, the front air intakes have been reshaped to be more vertical, and the LED headlights are now stacked. Sport trim comes with a black mesh grille and black surrounds. Three new colors join the CT5’s paint choices: Deep Space Metallic (black), Typhoon Metallic (sea green), and the V-exclusive Drift Metallic (light blue).

Infotainment system
Accessed through the new 9K 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 a personalized interface.

Blind Zone Steering Assist
As well as alerting the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes, this feature will also add some steering correction to keep the CT5 going straight if necessary. It’s a new addition to the 2025 CT5’s array of standard safety equipment.

Super Cruise
This optional feature is a hands-free adaptive cruise control system that works on certain highways (more than 400,000 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 wonderfully.

Intersection assistance
We’ve all been there — trying to turn left at a crossroads while someone else from the other direction wants to turn their left, hindering our ability to see what’s coming toward us. This newly standard safety feature in the 2025 CT5 can still perceive oncoming traffic and can apply the brakes if the driver is about to make a terrible move.

Parking Package
This optional bundle (available at the Premium Luxury level) has a self-parking function, plus a 360-degree camera system, rearview camera mirror, and rear pedestrian alert.

Massaging front seats
Another option starting in the Premium Luxury model, these seats have a power lumbar massage function, plus a manually adjustable cushion extender to support longer legs better.

With no changes to the first two engines and none expected for the more muscular versions, the 2025 CT5 starts with 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit.

The optional twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 develops 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque or 360 hp in the CT5-V. The CT5-V Blackwing has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 generating 668 hp and 659 lb-ft. The Blackwing is the only version with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard; the rest of the lineup has a 10-speed automatic transmission (which is optional in the Blackwing).

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Cadillac’s new-vehicle warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical for the luxury sector, although Lexus, Genesis, and others offer better terms. There’s also roadside assistance of six years or 70,000 miles, which is unusual. And the first scheduled maintenance visit is free.

Safety Ratings

This generation of CT5 has earned a maximum 5-star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).