2025 Cadillac CT5 Sedan

　　2025 Cadillac CT5 Review

　　byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　9/13/2023

　　What is the CT5?

　　The remaining sedan buyers are a loyal bunch. Eschewing the ever-growing trend of running toward an SUV, these buyers prefer the superior handling, road manners, and fuel economy that sedans offer. And Cadillac is happy to offer the midsize CT5 sedan to these discerning buyers. Citing an increase in sales of the CT5 of over 35% in the U.S. alone, Cadillac has refreshed the design of the CT5 and packed in new technology to draw the eyes of those sedan shoppers away from its main rivals, which include the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A6.

　　What's under the CT5's hood?

　　Both the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter V6 engines remain unchanged for 2025. The turbocharged four-cylinder will continue to make 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the twin-turbo V6 will make 335 hp and 405 lb-ft. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available; both engines and drive combos utilize a 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　If you think a midsize luxury sedan sporting a four-cylinder engine is out of the ordinary, remember that BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz all start their midsize sedans off with turbocharged four-cylinder engines too. It is worth noting, however, that the German engines are all more powerful than the Cadillac's offerings in its base cars.

　　Thankfully for those who crave a performance sedan, Cadillac offers the V and V Blackwing versions of the CT5, which remain just as potent as they did last year. That means the CT5-V uses an uprated version of the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that's optional on the regular CT5 and maintains its 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. It comes exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear- or all-wheel drive. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the CT5-V Blackwing also remains the same and cranks out a delicious 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can opt for either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic, but the Blackwing is rear-drive only.

　　How's the CT5's interior?

　　No doubt the biggest change/improvement for the 2025 CT5 is inside. Spanning more than half the dashboard is a new 33-inch digital display. It incorporates the instrument panel as well as the Google-powered infotainment system and looks very similar to the system we've experienced in the Escalade. It will feature 9K resolution and have customization options.

　　The software behind that massive screen will have Google built-in features, including the software company's Maps, Assistant, and Play for downloading and updating various apps. Amazon Alexa is also included, and 5G Wi-Fi is available.

　　How's the CT5's tech?

　　It's not just the interior technology that's getting a boost for the 2025 model year. Cadillac has loaded a couple more advanced driving aids into the CT5's list of standard equipment. Blind-spot steering assist (which automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) and intersection automatic emergency braking (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your path and applies the brakes automatically to avoid a collision) are now free of charge. Driver attention assist is now included if you opt for Cadillac's impressive Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

　　How economical is the CT5?

　　The EPA estimates that the 2024 CT5 four-cylinder delivers 27 mpg combined (23 city/33 highway) with rear-wheel drive. The V6 with RWD gets 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway). Opting for all-wheel drive drops the efficiency a bit to 25 mpg combined for the four-cylinder and 21 mpg combined for the V6. These numbers are on par with the Cadillac's German rivals.

　　zzdcar says

　　Sedans might be waning in popularity, but Cadillac is adamant the CT5 is still a competitive and attractive option for luxury buyers. With a new E-Class on the way from Mercedes and strong offerings from BMW and Audi, we can't wait to see if the refreshed CT5 can stand up to the competition.