2023 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing

　　

2023 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing 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.

　　When it comes to high-performance luxury sedans, most people likely imagine pricey vehicles from Europe. But what if you desire something a bit different with a distinctly American flair? That leaves you one choice: Cadillac.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl Turbo 6M) 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

　　$254/mo  for CT4 V Blackwing

　　CT4 V Blackwing

　　V Blackwing 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl Turbo 6M) (Most Popular) - $60,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The CT4 is the brand's entry-level sedan, but we're talking about the 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, the performance pinnacle of that lineup. With 472 horsepower coming from its turbocharged V6 engine and a sport-tuned suspension for sharp handling, it's a thriller of a car. As an added incentive, it costs several thousand less than the Audi RS 3, BMW M3 and upcoming Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S.

　　Unfortunately, there are few areas where the Blackwing falls short. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for our complete report.

　　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

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the CT4-V Blackwing drive? It's a joy to drive the CT4-V Blackwing. The car is quick, aggressive and engaging, and it's a whole lot of fun on the road. Our manual-equipped test car hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds in our testing. That's unremarkable for a modern performance car — the automatic transmission would undoubtedly make it quicker — but the sensation that stays with you is the consistent surge ahead with each toss of the gear shifter. You'll miss driving when you park it for the night.

　　It feels buttoned-up in other aspects too. The brakes are strong, with a smooth and stable feeling that didn't fade over several laps around our test track. The steering is quick and responsive, with easy operation when you're cruising around town. Best of all is the handling capability. The Blackwing posted an impressive 1.09 g on our skidpad and handled our test track and back roads with a natural balance, tons of grip and drama-free stability control. A truly enjoyable drive.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the CT4-V Blackwing? It's leaps and bounds better than standard CT4 models, which suffer greatly when it comes to comfort. Instead, the CT4-V Blackwing has additional soft surfaces, excellent seats and dual-pane windows to keep outside noise outside. Most crucially of all, Cadillac includes the superb MagneRide suspension as standard. It does a fantastic job of absorbing impacts on the highway and hunkering down during aggressive canyon carving.

　　Our test vehicle came with the Climate package, which earns a hearty recommendation. It includes front seats with both ventilation and a massaging function, elevating the CT4-V Blackwing's luxury experience to another level.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below