The Cadillac CT5 is a bit shorter, yet roomier, than the CTS sedan it replaced. This makes it slightly larger than the targeted Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. We found that it has a dynamic ride and handling combination that should impress those who like driving, but its powertrain lacks polish and could be a turnoff for consumers making test drive comparisons.
The standard powertrain is a 237-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission that lacks refinement and tends to delay upshifts. The wheezy engine and gritty exhaust end up making drivers feel like there is more noise than acceleration.
Empirically, acceleration and fuel economy are not on par with its upscale peers. An optional V6 turbo comes on high-end versions. Like most competitors, the CT5 comes in either rear- or all-wheel drive.
The suspension delivers a firm, taut ride and agile handling that makes the car feel eager to carve corners like a European sports sedan.
Slide inside and the front seats are comfortable and supportive. But the center console intrudes some on the driver’s right knee, and the upscale cabin has a somewhat somber presentation. The CT5’s switches, buttons, and knobs feel upscale, and the controls are easy to master, unlike previous Cadillacs, although switching in and out of Apple CarPlay can be tricky.
Getting in and out of the back seat requires some ducking and mild contortions, and once seated, the headroom is limited.
Even though the Premium Luxury trim we tested starts around $40,000, adding desirable features such as enhanced safety features such as rear AEB with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control (ACC) require several thousand dollars worth of option packages, shooting the price to well over $50,000.
Standard advanced safety systems include forward collision warning, city-speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a safety alert seat that ties in with a driver attention monitor. We think there should be more standard safety features, especially at this price.