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 sports 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 sports 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 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 profiles in GM vehicles that have the proper technology.
- Embedded navigation is 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, an 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 a 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)
How does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 drive?
Keith Turner took the CT5 for a spin and asked a couple of female friends their opinion of the sporty four-door and they came away impressed with the styling and luxurious comfort of this Cadillac. Hear what Turner and the women have to say about the CT5
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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