The first thing you notice when you get behind the wheel of the 2021 Cadillac CT5 is the 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged V-6 DOHC with a ten-speed automatic with Electronic Precision Shift. The compact premium sport sedan is smooth and has little to no vibration.
Active Fuel Management, direct injection, automatic stop/start, and some great brakes make for a fun car to drive. This sport sedan is no longer the comfortable floating car that would compete with my 1993 Lexus LS400. The C5 competes in the BMW 3-series category but is more the size of the 5-series. Audi and Mercedes are great competitors as well in size and price.
Will the 2021 Cadillac CT5 have supercruise?
Yes, but not yet. Cadillac says the supercruise will be available a little later, so if you want that technology hold off for a bit.
How good is the Cadillac CT5?
Good enough that it has something for everyone that wants a premium sport sedan. The C5 is available in four trim levels: Premium, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series. If you want a faster, sleeker sedan, it is available; wait for the Blackwing V-series model with magnetic ride control. The 2021 CT5-V delivers 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque and is one of the best Cadillacs we’ve driven in some time.
The 3.0T is not available on the Sport. The 3.0T is available on the Premium Luxury and V-Series. The platinum package is the same on the Sport, V-Series, and Premium Luxury. The Blackwing does have the Performance Traction Management button on the steering wheel.
Interior
The C5 has a nice interior, well put together, with a great fit and finish. Cadillac has added a volume control on the NAV screen for the person who hasn’t been in a Cadillac and doesn’t know the hidden placement of the radio volume and control on the steering wheel.
Fuel Economy
2021 CADILLAC CT5/CT5-V EPA-estimated fuel economy. The C5 has an automatic stop-start that gives better fuel economy without the jerkiness.
2021 CADILLAC CT5 2.0L Turbo
City
23 (RWD)
21 (AWD)
Highway
32 (RWD)
31 (AWD)
2021 CADILLAC CT5 3.0L Twin-Turbo
City
19 (RWD)
18 (AWD)
Highway
28 (RWD)
26 (AWD)
2021 CADILLAC CT5 3.0L Twin-Turbo V-Series
City
18 (RWD)
18 (AWD)
Highway
27 (RWD)
26 (AWD)
2020 Cadillac CT5 versus the Competition:
2021 Audi A6
2021 BMW 5-Series
2021 Lexus ES
2021 Mercedes-Benz E Class
2021 Volvo S90
INFOTAINMENT & CONNECTIVITY
- Cadillac user experience comes complete with a 10-inch-diagonal HD color touchscreen and enhanced personalization standard. User profiles stored in the Cloud allow customers to access their profile in GM vehicles that have the proper technology.
- Embedded navigation available on all models.
- Rotary controller with jog functionality (matched with the Cadillac user experience)
- Near-Field Communication Bluetooth pairing, which enhances the process of pairing a phone (if compatible) with the Cadillac user experience7
- Three USB ports, SD card reader, and two auxiliary power outlets
- Nine-speaker premium audio system; Bose 15-speaker Performance Series audio system is available on all models.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay4 and Wireless Android Auto5 phone projection capability
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (includes 3GB/three-month data trial)10
- Cadillac Connected Access
- Teen Driver
- The latest-generation, 15-watt Wireless Phone Charging (requires compatible device) is standard on the Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series. It is available on the Luxury line.
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
Layout: Front engine with RWD (AWD available)
Front Suspension:
MacPherson-type with dual lower ball joints, twin-tube struts, and direct-acting stabilizer bar; Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 (std. V-Series and avail. Sport)
Rear Suspension:
Five-link independent; coil springs with stabilizer bar; Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 (std. V-Series and avail. Sport)
Steering Type:
Electric, rack-mounted variable-effort premium power steering (specific calibration for V-Series)
Turning Circle (ft. / m):
39 / 11.9 (RWD)
40.7 / 12.4 (AWD)
Brake Type:
Four-wheel-disc with ABS; Duralife brake rotors and low-drag brake calipers; Brembo front brakes (std. V-Series and avail. Premium Luxury and Sport)
Brake Rotor Size
(in. / mm):
Front: 12.6 x 1.1 / 321 x 28 – vented
(std. Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport)
Front: 13.6 x 1.2 / 345 x 30 – vented
(std. V-Series; avail. Premium Luxury and Sport)
REAR: 12.4 x .0.9 / 315 x 23 – vented (all models)
Wheels:
18-in. aluminum (Luxury and Premium Luxury)
19-in. aluminum (Sport and avail. on Premium Luxury)
20-in. aluminum (Premium Luxury with avail. Diamond Sky Special Edition; all models as dealer-installed accessory)
Wheels & Tires:
245/45R18 all-season self-sealing (std. Luxury and Premium Luxury)
245/45R18 all-season run-flat (avail. Premium Luxury)
245/40R19 summer-only^ run-flat (std. V-Series)
245/40R19 all-season run-flat (std. Sport and avail. Premium Luxury and V-Series)
255/35ZR20 all-season run-flat (Premium Luxury with avail. Diamond Sky Special Edition; all models included with available dealer-installed accessory wheels)
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase
(in. / mm): 116 / 2947
Overall Length
(in. / mm): 193.8 / 4924
Overall Width
(in. / mm):
74.1/ 1882 (w/o mirrors)
80.3 / 2040 (with mirrors)
Overall Height
(in. / mm): 57.2 / 1453
Track (in. mm):
62.8 / 1594 (front)
63.9 / 1624 (rear)
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Headroom (in / mm):
39 / 990 (front)
36.6 / 930 (rear)
Legroom (in. / mm):
42.4 / 1078 (front)
37.9 / 963 (rear)
Shoulder Room
(in. / mm):
56.7 / 1440 (front)
55.7 / 1415 (rear)
Hip Room
(in. / mm):
53.7 / 1365 (front)
53.7 / 1365 (rear)
CURB WEIGHT & CARGO VOLUME
Curb Weight
(lb. / kg):
3659 / 1660 – Luxury RWD
3798 / 1723 – Luxury AWD
3663 / 1662 – Premium Luxury RWD w/ 2.0L Turbo
3802 / 1725 – Premium Luxury AWD w/ 2.0L Turbo
3685 / 1672 – Sport RWD
3827 / 1736 – Sport AWD
3974 / 1803 – V-Series RWD
4144 / 1880 – V-Series AWD
Cargo Volume
(cu. ft.): 11.9
The 2021 Cadillac CT5 pricing and specs I drove:
Model: 2021 Cadillac CT5 Premium luxury
MSRP: From $40,795 as tested $51,910
Horsepower: 335 / 250 @ 5400
MPG: Up to 23 city / 32 highway (as tested 23.4 mpg combined)
Torque: 405 @ 2350-4000
Dimensions: 194″ L x 74″ W x 57″ H
Engine: 3.0 L V6
Exterior color: Shadow metallica
Interior color: Sahara beige/ jet black accents
The 2021 Cadillac CT5 pricing
Premium Luxury 2.0L Sedan $40,795
Premium Luxury 2.0L AWD Sedan $40,795
Premium Luxury 3.0L V6 Sedan $44,295
Premium Luxury 3.0L V6 AWD Sedan $46,295
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