2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Cadillac plans to go all-electric by 2030, but first, the brand is making some noise with a new crop of V-Series performance sedans. The CT5-V Blackwing is the top dog.

The days of rowdy gas-powered performance cars are numbered as automakers increasingly shift time and resources toward developing new electric vehicles. Cadillac plans to go all-electric by 2030, but before it does, the brand is making some noise with a new crop of V-Series performance sedans. Cadillac’s top sedan is the CT5-V Blackwing, a ferocious car with a supercharged V8 and a boatload of go-fast upgrades over the standard CT-5.

All CT5-V Blackwings come with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that produces 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission by default, but Cadillac also offers a ten-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The Blackwing’s massive power output enables acceleration times and performance stats that are nearly unmatched in the automotive world. With the manual gearbox, the car records a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds, and the automatic shaves another two-tenths off that stunning number. The quarter-mile passes in just 11.6 seconds.

Of course, 668 horsepower wouldn’t be very helpful if the car couldn’t get it to the ground efficiently. To keep the rear wheels planted, Cadillac equips Magnetic Ride Control, which monitors and automatically adjusts suspension settings in as little as five milliseconds. An electronic limited-slip rear differential can shift torque between the rear wheels, and it comes with a high-performance differential cooling system. Cadillac gives every CT5-V Blackwing a custom launch control system that manages tire spin when accelerating off the line. It also comes with a line lock function that applies brakes to the front wheels and enables massive burnouts.

Even with that breathtaking performance, Cadillac didn’t skimp on luxury in the CT5-V’s cabin. Leather upholstery comes standard, and the front seats are heated and ventilated by default. They also offer a lumbar massage system with four-way air bladders in the lower back area of the seat. It’s worth noting that some 2023 model-year cars may lack heated and ventilated seats or other features: Cadillac cites ongoing supply chain and microchip issues as roadblocks to including all of the available advanced tech features it previously offered.

All CT5-V Blackwings come with a ten-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs the newest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) interface. It’s much improved over previous generations and offers a colorful, responsive way to interact with the car. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with connected apps for maps, vehicle controls, and other functions. A 16-speaker AKG sound system, SiriusXM radio, HD radio, and three USB inputs are also standard.

Crash test data isn’t available for the 2023 Blackwing yet, but Cadillac throws the full kitchen sink of advanced driver aids at the car. Standard tech includes automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking assist, an HD rearview camera, a surround-view camera system, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warnings, a following distance indicator system, front pedestrian braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, an interior movement sensor system, and more.

The 2023 CT5-V Blackwing is on sale, though Cadillac says availability is “extremely limited.” Pricing starts at $90,995.