The CT5 is all-new for 2020 and replaces the CTS. Cadillac hopes to go after the likes of the BMW 3- and 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in the midsize luxury sedan segment, but the CT5 doesn’t perform as well. However, it does cost thousands of dollars less than its German counterparts.
Base Price: $40,695
As Tested: $52,155
Horsepower: 335
Mileage: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
The five-passenger 2020 Cadillac CT5 comes in five trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series. Starting prices range from $36,895 to $47,695. Rear-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available for $2,000.
The standard engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbocharged V6 is standard on the V-Series and available on the Premium Luxury trim. It generates 335 horses and 400 pound-feet on the Premium Luxury and 360 hp and 405 pound-feet on the V-Series. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The CT5 is not as nimble a performer as the CTS but it does have a smooth, composed ride. There’s a little turbo lag off the line. The 10-speed shifts quickly and smoothly most of the time. But it can be a bit slow to downshift when you try to quickly accelerate. The CT5 feels planted when cornering While it’s a pleasant daily driver, you’ll want to look elsewhere if athletic performance is important to you.
Fuel economy is about average for midsize luxury sedans. EPA ratings for my tester are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with a combined rating of 21. I got 20 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The interior is not as upscale as some rivals. Materials are generally nice but there are some hard plastics. The CT5 also doesn’t have as much passenger room as other midsize luxury sedans. Taller passengers in the front row may wish for more legroom. The back row offers decent legroom, but there could be more headroom. All seats could be more supportive.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, remote start, rearview camera, synthetic leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system, nine-speaker premium audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, three USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot and a universal garage door opener, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a safety alert seat.
Standard driver assistance features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection, and a Teen Driver monitoring system.
Available features include leather upholstery, semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, sport steering wheel, driver’s seat memory settings, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, 18-way power-adjustable front seats, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, eight-inch digital instrument cluster display, 15-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, wireless device charging, sunroof, cabin air purifier, head-up display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, adaptive headlights, and automatic high beams.
Available driver assistance features include surround-view camera system, rearview mirror camera, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, reverse automatic emergency braking, automatic parking assist, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, and rear pedestrian alert.
The infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly. It responds quickly to touch and voice commands. Volume, tuning and climate can be controlled with knobs and buttons.
The CT5 has less trunk space than most rivals with 11.9 cubic feet. The narrow opening can make it challenging to load large and/or bulky items. A hands-free trunk is available.
The good:
Relatively low price for the class
Comfortable as a daily driver
Long list of standard and available features
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Not as athletic as some rivals
Interior not super luxurious
Small trunk
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $40,695. The 3.0-liter twin turbo V6 with automatic stop/start is $3,500. All-wheel-drive is $2,000. Navigation and Bose Premium Audio Package is $1,350 and includes the Cadillac User Experience with embedded navigation and Bose Performance Series Premium 15-speaker system. The Driver Awareness Package is $1,300 and includes Intellibeam headlamps, following distance indicator, gauge cluster and eight-inch diagonal color driver information center, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and head-up display. The Climate Package is $1,090 and includes driver and front passenger heated seats, heated steering wheel, and ventilated driver and front passenger seat cushions and seatbacks. Satin Steel Metallic paint is $625. The Lighting Package is $600 and includes illuminating front sill plates and front cornering lamps. Destination charge is $995 bringing the grand total to $52,155.
Bottom line:
The 2020 Cadillac CT5 comes with a lot of bells and whistles at a reasonable price for a midsize luxury sedan. While it’s not as athletic nor as opulent as some rivals, its handsome looks and value for the money make it worth a look.
