2021 Cadillac CT5 Review

　　

2021 Cadillac CT5 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Cadillac CT5 arrived last year as a replacement for Cadillac's previous midsize luxury sedan, the CTS. While the 2021 CT5 doesn't have the performance potential of its predecessor yet (a high-performance variant is coming), it's otherwise a step up from the CTS in about every way.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac CT5 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$175/mo  for CT5 Luxury

　　CT5 Luxury

　　Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $36,995 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $40,795 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $41,795 MSRPV 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $47,795 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The interior is more comfortable and upscale, and the in-car tech and available driver aids make it a much more compelling offering against the class stalwarts. For 2021, the CT5 gets even more features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, which means you can activate these systems without needing a USB cord. There's also an available digital instrument cluster as well as Cadillac's Super Cruise, which is one of the most advanced driver aids offered on any car today. It allows for hands-free highway driving in certain situations, though you still have to keep your eyes on the road.

　　The CT5 competes against such luminaries as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. They're a bit more comfortable and refined, but the Cadillac is a worthy alternative. Check out our Expert Rating for more detail and our in-depth evaluation of the 2021 CT5.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the CT5 drive? Our test CT5 had the 335-horsepower V6. At our test track it accelerated from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. It's certainly quick, though that kind of acceleration is typical for a midsize luxury sedan with six-cylinder power. Around town, the V6 feels smooth and strong.

　　The engine is aided by a smooth 10-speed automatic that keeps the engine revving at just the right speed. The engine's auto stop-start system is unobtrusive, so the biggest issue driving in traffic is the somewhat touchy brake pedal that can make it hard to stop smoothly. We found the CT5's handling to be stable and secure. The CT5 isn't a sport sedan, but it's more entertaining than it might seem thanks to a well-tuned suspension and accurate steering.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the CT5? Comfort and refinement should be among the main focuses when designing a luxury car, and Cadillac comes up a bit short in some areas. The front and rear seats are relatively comfortable and supportive. But the ride quality is pretty poor for a luxury car. The CT5 crashes over bumps rather than absorbs them, and uneven roads can make the car rock like a boat.

　　The climate control system generally works well. There are physical buttons for all controls, a rarity in a class that prefers slick but distracting touchscreens. We also like the quick-acting seat heaters. The fans work quickly to bring the car to an even temp, but they're overly loud for a luxury sedan.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? A luxury car's interior should really shine, but we found it a little wanting. While we like that CT5 has many physical control buttons instead of a bunch of virtual on-screen ones, some of them are oddly placed. The driving position is OK, but some drivers will want more adjustment range for the steering wheel. The gas and brake pedals are spaced far apart, and that requires more feet shuffling in traffic than should be necessary.

　　The interior is reasonably roomy, with plenty of front headroom and ample legroom in both rows. Headroom in the rear is surprisingly tight for anyone approaching 6 feet tall. Visibility is poor too. The side mirrors are tiny, and the narrow rear window makes blind spots more of an issue.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The CT5 is loaded with all the latest tech you expect in a luxury car. Much of it is optional, however, which is disappointing for this class of luxury car. We found the adaptive cruise control's braking and accelerating to be a little jumpy, but otherwise the other driver aids work well.

　　The infotainment and navigation impressed us too. While the Cadillac doesn't have quite the range of features as its German competition, the CT5's tech is slick and easy to operate. It's well organized and easy to sort through, and if you prefer to use your phone, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. There are also a number of USB ports if you prefer to fast-charge.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The CT5 is one of the smallest vehicles in its class, and that really shows when it comes to cargo space. The trunk packs just 11.9 cubic feet of space, placing it right at the bottom of its class. The available space is open and fairly useful, and the rear seats do fold flat in a 60/40 split.

　　Item storage inside the cabin is much better. Luxury cars tend to skimp on interior storage for some reason, but the CT5 does well. There are decent-size bins and cupholders and a vertical wireless charger that takes up less room than most other chargers. 

　　Installing a child seat should be relatively easy. The anchors are easily accessible behind plastic covers, and the expanse of rear legroom means there's space for larger rear-facing seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The CT5's fuel economy ranges from 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving with the base engine down to 21 mpg with the V6 and all-wheel drive. That's fine but nothing extraordinary. We got about 21 mpg with our rear-wheel-drive, V6-equipped CT5 on our 115-mile mixed driving evaluation route, which tells us that the EPA estimates should be achievable.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the CT5 a good value? Cadillac offers a lot of bang for your buck with the CT5. The list of standard features is good for a luxury car, and most options won't cost you nearly as much as they will on other luxury cars. The CT5's sub-$40,000 base price bests Audi and BMW and Mercedes-Benz competitors by around $15,000. We found the build quality to fall short of the best in class, however. Some of the interior bits feel more Buick than Cadillac.

　　Cadillac's warranty isn't quite so impressive. With the CT5, you get a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. The four-year/50,000-mile rust warranty is far off the 12 years that Audi and BMW offer, an odd thing given that Cadillac is based in rust-prone Michigan. Cadillac does include six years/70,000 miles of roadside help.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　Just like its predecessor, the Cadillac CTS, the new CT5 has a sharp and attractive design. It's not a huge departure from what we've seen before, but it's evolved enough to look fresh yet handsome. The interior, too, has an attractive overall design. We just wish it were as fun to drive as the CTS.

　　

Which CT5 does zzdcar recommend?

The base Luxury trim comes fairly well equipped, but we suggest stepping up to the Premium Luxury trim. Not only does it get you more standard features, but it also opens up the options list to include Super Cruise and the turbocharged V6 engine.

　　

2021 Cadillac CT5 models

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 is available in four trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport and V-Series. The Premium, Premium Luxury and Sport trims are all powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (237 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) that sends power to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　Optional for the Premium Luxury trim and standard on the V-Series is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. It makes 335 hp and 405 lb-ft in the Premium Luxury; the V-Series gets a slight bump to 360 hp. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

　　Luxury

　　The Luxury model comes reasonably well equipped. Standard feature highlights include:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Keyless entry with push-button start Dual-zone automatic climate control Simulated leather upholstery 10-inch touchscreen Nine-speaker sound system Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Forward collision mitigation Options on the Luxury trim include:

　　Sun and Sound package 15-speaker Bose audio system Integrated navigation system Sunroof Wireless charging pad Cold Weather package Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Premium Luxury

　　On top of the Luxury trim's standard features, the Premium Luxury gains:

　　Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Ambient interior lighting Leather upholstery Wireless charging pad 

　　Stepping up to the Premium Luxury trim also opens up the options list to include:

　　Driver Awareness package Lane keeping assist (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane and steers the CT5 back into its lane) Driver Assist and Advanced Security package Traffic-adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CT5 and the car in front) Upgraded vehicle alarm and security Platinum package Navigation and Bose premium audio system Heated, ventilated and massaging seats Heated steering wheel Upgraded front seats and leather upholstery Digital instrument cluster Head-up display Sunroof Super Cruise. This semi-automated driver assistance system allows for hands-free highway driving in certain situations. It also adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front. Includes lane keeping assist.Sport

　　The Sport trim is equipped similarly to the Premium Luxury trim, although Super Cruise is unavailable. The Sport is equipped with:

　　Brembo front brakes Black exterior trim Rear spoiler Gray-tinted taillights Simulated leather upholstery Sport steering wheel with magnesium shift paddlesV-Series

　　The CT5 V-Series builds off the Sport trim with more performance parts, gaining a more powerful version of the V6 as well as:

　　Adaptive suspension dampers (for improved ride and handling) Electronic limited-slip differential (can improve available traction) Optional Super Cruise

　　

2021 CT5 Highlights

Type: SedanVSedan

　　Trim: LuxuryPremium LuxurySportVLuxury

　　

Base MSRP	$36,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$175/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles