2023 Cadillac CT4 V

　　

2023 Cadillac CT4 V Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　For the most part, American luxury carmakers have abandoned sedans in favor of more lucrative SUVs. Cadillac is the final holdout in a last stand against rivals from overseas with its CT4 and CT5 sedans, along with the forthcoming all-electric Celestiq. The 2023 Cadillac CT4 represents the brand's entry-level sedan that ranges from mild to spicy in terms of power. There's also the high-performance CT4-V Blackwing that's reviewed separately.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Cadillac CT4 V 4dr Sedan (2.7L 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

　　$196/mo  for CT4 V

　　CT4 V

　　V 4dr Sedan (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $46,595 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This year, the CT4 returns with only a few minor changes. A new Surround Vision Recorder option acts like a 360-degree dash cam so you can share your epic videos with friends or possibly prove you weren't at fault in a collision. Other changes are limited to paint colors and wheel choices.

　　While the 2023 Cadillac CT4 remains notable as one of the few American-made luxury sedans, it's easily overshadowed and outclassed by the German brands. These include the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. They're all more expensive than the CT4, but we think you'll agree they're worth it, especially after checking out the Expert Rating below that spells out all of the Cadillac's advantages and drawbacks.

　　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.

　　Below Average

　　6.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the CT4-V drive? The CT4 V-Series has the power to reach 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, which is quick for the class. And thanks to its high-performance tires, the V-Series needs only 109 feet to stop from that speed. But it doesn't feel that powerful or inspiring from behind the wheel. Handling is capable, but there isn't much feedback for the driver to confidently explore this Caddy's limits.

　　The brake pedal is far too sensitive, resulting in a grabby initial application, and it's difficult to stop smoothly. We experienced some less-than-smooth transmission shifts too, but they are fairly rare and mostly occurred during initial acceleration after a rather slow automatic engine restart. In everyday driving, the CT4 V-Series is otherwise well behaved.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the CT4-V? The front seats are flat and firm, resulting in some uncomfortable hard spots after only an hour. These are by far the biggest detriment to comfort. Unbelievably, there's a badge that is placed right in the middle of your back that is almost immediately irritating. We're surprised Cadillac got these seats so wrong.

　　It's a shame because the ride quality is smooth for a higher-performance sedan in the class. It smooths over small road imperfections well, but the stiff suspension means bigger undulations result in noticeable jostling. The cabin remains quiet on the highway, though the engine sounds coarse and downmarket under hard acceleration.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below