The Cadillac CT5 is a midsize sedan that aims to compete with the Audi A6, the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class by offering similar driving appeal, space, and prestige but at a lower price. Introduced for the 2020 model year, the CT5 replaced the third-generation CTS, bringing a new, fastback-style look and updated tech.
While Cadillac itself labels the CT5 as a midsize model, it could also be considered a rival to compact premium sedans such as the BMW 3 Series, since it more or less straddles the two sectors in terms of size and price. The CT5 is the latest in a line of contemporary Cadillacs that offers sharp looks and good handling, if not the refinement or outright quality of most German, Japanese, or Korean alternatives.
Our buying guide looks at the single available generation, with details of how the CT5 has evolved over the years, the best and worst versions to buy, and how much shoppers can expect to pay for one. The high-performance model, called CT5-V Blackwing, is reviewed separately.
Cadillac CT5 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cadillac CT5 years are the best?
The 2025 and later model years have better technology, more appealing color choices, and a fresher cabin with larger screens. Plus, the steep initial depreciation means buyers will save big and still get a late-model car with a factory warranty.
Which Cadillac CT5 years are the worst?
In general, the Cadillac CT5 has a solid reliability record, with very few issues raised on CarComplaints.com. As is often the case, though, early model years can be more prone to problems and there are four recalls for 2020–2021 models related to transmission, braking, and airbag defects. In addition, General Motors has a reputation for below-average production quality, especially on early-year cars.
Is a used Cadillac CT5 a good deal?
Yes, a used Cadillac CT5 can be a good deal. The average listing price on CarGurus is $28,000, and that includes late-model vehicles that carried original prices of more than $50,000.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Enjoyable to drive
- Impressive technology
- Great safety ratings
Cons:
- Lacks overall polish and refinement
- Mediocre interior design
- Tight rear-seat headroom
Cadillac CT5 Generations
## Cadillac CT5 First Generation (2020–Present)
The Cadillac CT5 was introduced in late 2019 for the 2020 model year as a replacement for the Cadillac CTS. Although based on the same rear-wheel-drive chassis as the CTS, the CT5 was shorter, had a smaller trunk, and a tighter interior with less headroom and legroom. Offered only as a four-door sedan, the CT5 was introduced with turbocharged four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines and a range of new safety technology including hands-free Super Cruise.
While the exterior looked thoroughly Cadillac courtesy of its thin, vertical lights, crest-shaped grille, and crisp sheet metal, the CT5’s interior was several steps down from the CTS in both design and materials. While practical and inoffensive, the plain design and the Chevy-sourced switches and displays looked very low-grade.
The CT5 debuted with four trims (Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V) and came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four making 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. We found this engine to be noisy and severely underpowered for the CT5's mission as a luxury sport sedan. Optional for the Premium Luxury and standard for the Sport was a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 335 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This engine was potent, refined, and well worth the higher price. The exhaust was throaty, which was a pleasant surprise. Shifts were quick and the available adaptive dampers, which vary with the selected driving mode, provided a smooth and agile ride. The V raised the engine's output to 360 hp and 405 lb-ft. EPA-estimated fuel economy was 26 mpg combined for the four-cylinder RWD trims and 21 mpg for the six-cylinder RWD trims. With AWD, the estimates for both engines were slightly lower.
At launch, the entry-level CT5 Luxury came standard with LED lighting, automatic emergency braking, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 18-inch alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, and a 12-way power driver's seat. The Premium Luxury added features such as leather upholstery, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, auto-dimming mirrors, blind-spot monitors, and rear parking sensors. The optional Platinum package included wide-ranging interior trim upgrades. The Sport added 18-way front seats with side bolsters, Brembo front brakes, 19-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim. The V included the higher-output V6, a sport-tuned suspension with magnetic dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential, colored brake calipers, and quad exhaust tips. Original starting MSRPs ranged from $37,000 to $48,000.
For 2021, Cadillac added several packages and tech upgrades. Added to all trims were wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and its "Buckle to Drive" feature, which briefly prevents the driver from shifting out of Park if they haven't fastened their safety belt. A performance package was optional on the Sport, which added the V's magnetic dampers and limited-slip differential. A Diamond Sky Special Edition brought unique colors, wheels, and interior materials as an option on the Premium Luxury. Super Cruise, which was unavailable during the early stages of the 2020 due to the pandemic, was available in very limited quantities.
For 2022, Super Cruise was expanded across two option packages instead of one. Due to supply shortages during the pandemic, it’s very hard to find any used 2020–2022 CT5 models with Super Cruise.
For 2023, Cadillac added three paint colors, while a 12-inch driver information display and heated steering wheel became available as options. For 2024, a new Midnight Sky Metallic color option was added.
The CT5 got a mid-lifecycle refresh for the 2025 model year. Changes included restyled headlights and lower fascias, a lower and wider grille, a 33-inch curved display screen with new infotainment software, 5G Wi-Fi, Google Maps, blind-zone steering assist (an active blind-spot monitor, which can also steer to help avoid a collision) and front cross-traffic braking as standard. Newly optional were traffic-sign recognition with speed assist, driver-attention monitor when ordered with Super Cruise, and two new colors. For 2026, Cadillac added new Vibrant White Tricoat, Coastal Blue Metallic, and Cyber Yellow Metallic color options.
At the time of writing, new prices for a 2026 Cadillac CT5—including destination—were $50,995 for the Premium Luxury, $51,995 for the Sport, and $60,095 for the V. AWD added $2,000 to each trim. Average list prices on CarGurus for used 2020–2025 CT5 models ranged from $26,000 to $46,000 at the time of writing.
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