2022 Cadillac CT5: Choosing the Right Trim

Cadillac returns the 2022 Cadillac CT5 basically unchanged but with a couple of notable additions.

This year it offers the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving assist on the Premium Luxury and Sport grades.

Another development responds to past criticisms that the CT5 didn’t really have an answer to BMW’s high-performance M models. Enter the hot, all-new CT5-V Blackwing.

Hitting us with 668 horsepower, 659 lb-ft of torque, and a zero-to-60 sprint of 3.4 seconds, its performance should shut down the performance bellyachers.

Falling into a unique niche, the CT5 straddles the void between compact and midsize luxury sedans.

Priced below compact rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it is closer in size to the midsize Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

We like it for its chiseled exterior, sporty luxury, affordable price, and available all-wheel drive (AWD).

It may not be getting the respect or sales it deserves, but it can go toe to toe with its European rivals.

Cadillac separates the CT5 into Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, CT5-V, and CT5-V Blackwing grades.

A group of powertrains provides the thrust. All include a 10-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available on all 4-cylinder models.

AWD is a $2,600 upcharge for the Luxury, Sport, and CT5-V, and expect a $3,090 premium for the Premium Luxury grade.

Power and Fuel Economy

Standard in the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Government estimates put the RWD fuel economy at 23 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg in combined driving. Opting for AWD scrubs a little from those numbers to 21/31/25.

Only the Premium Luxury qualifies for the optional 335-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. Its estimated mileage is 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway/22 mpg combined.

A performance-tuned 360-hp version of the V6 provides the thrust in the CT5-V. With RWD, its estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. Opting for AWD knocks 1 mpg from the highway number.

We will provide the details on the Blackwing’s powerplant below.

2022 Cadillac CT5 Luxury (Starting at $37,245 Estimated)

Nicely equipped, the Luxury pops out of the box with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated power outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and auto on/off LED headlights.

Also included are LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, eight airbags, cruise control, dual-zone auto climate control, and keyless entry with push-button start.

A 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat are also standard.

The infotainment features are a 10-inch touchscreen, 8-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, three USB ports, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto.

The one standard driver aid is forward-collision warning with auto emergency braking.

You can pick up the Premium Audio Package with navigation and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system for $850.

The Cold Weather Package with heated front seats and heated steering wheel will set you back $600.

Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the Luxury base price brings the total to $38,440. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $691 per month. See 2022 Cadillac CT5 Luxury models for sale

2022 Cadillac CT5 Luxury Includes:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows these smartphone features to interface with your vehicle. Here the infotainment features also include a 10-inch touchscreen and 8-speaker audio system.
• 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat – The adjustments include lumbar; a 10-way power passenger seat is also standard.
• Rain-sensing wipers – When the system senses moisture on the windshield, it automatically engages the wipers. The wiper speed adjusts according to the volume of the rain.

2022 Cadillac Premium Luxury (Starting at $41,045 Estimated)

Building on the Luxury content, Premium Luxury adds lighted door handles and leather seating, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror and outboard driver’s mirror.

Also included are 14-way power-adjustable front seats.

Added driver aids are rear-park assist and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Opting for the twin-turbo V6 will add $3,500 to the bottom line.

For $2,500, you can add the Super Cruise Driver Assistance Feature. This semi-autonomous system can help drivers accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle under certain conditions.

The Climate Package with heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats will set you back $1,090.

Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the Premium Luxury base price equals $42,240. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $759 per month. See 2022 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury models for sale

2022 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury Includes:

• Leather seating – Here, the leather seating includes perforated leather inserts.
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror – Using photosensors, it recognizes bright headlights closing from behind and then automatically dims the reflection of those lights. An auto-dimming driver-side outboard mirror is also standard.
• Blind-spot monitoring – This radar-based system warns of traffic approaching your flanks. It also includes rear cross-traffic alert to warn of vehicles crossing behind you when in reverse.

2022 Cadillac CT5 Sport (Starting at $42,045 Estimated)

Although the leather seating is replaced with faux leather, Sport adds 19-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, alloy pedals, and magnesium paddle shifters to the Premium Luxury content.

Also included are 18-way power-adjustable front seats with manual bottom cushion extension.

The Super Cruise Driver Assistance Feature is an option.

A V-Performance Package ($1,950) is available with Magnetic Ride Control, performance suspension, and mechanical limited-slip rear differential.

Pony up another $1,100 for the Technology Package with 12-inch HD color reconfigurable driver cluster and head-up display (HUD).

Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the Sport base price brings the total to $43,240. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $777. See 2022 Cadillac CT5 Sport models for sale

2022 Cadillac CT5 Sport Includes:

• 18-way power front seats – These power-adjustable seats include side-bolster adjustments and manually extendable bottom cushions.
• Alloy pedals – More show than function, these pedals add some sporty flair.
• Magnesium paddle shifters – They don’t improve function, but they look and feel better to the touch.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V (Starting at $48,045 Estimated)

The CT5-V adds a twin-turbo V6, performance suspension, magnetic ride control, electronic limited-slip differential, launch control, and Performance Traction Management to the Sport content.

Among the available options is the Super Cruise Driver Assistance Feature.

Cadillac offers several other option packages. Within them are front massaging seats, panoramic sunroof, power tilt-telescopic steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and 15-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the CT5-V base price equals $49,240. With no down payment for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $885 per month. See 2022 Cadillac CT5-V models for sale

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Includes:

• Twin-turbo V6 – This performance-tuned version of the CT5 V6 delivers 360 hp.
• Magnetic Ride Control – Creating a smoother ride, this system uses electronic sensors in each wheel to monitor road conditions 1,000 times per second and then adjusts the suspension accordingly.
• Launch control – This technology facilitates quicker acceleration from a standstill.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (Starting at $83,995)

Providing this beast’s explosive thrust is a 668-hp hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged V8. Peak torque is 659 lb-ft.

The standard gearbox is a 6-speed manual transmission. Opting for the 10-speed automatic adds $3,175 to the total.

Government-estimated fuel economy with the 6-speed is 13 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg in combined driving. With the 10-speed, the numbers improve slightly to 13/22/16.

To the CT5-V, the CT5-V Blackwing adds a surround-view camera with recorder, head-up display, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and LED cornering lamps.

Also standard are a navigation system, security system with motion detection, heated-ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Standard content also includes 16-speaker AKG audio system, a 12-inch color driver-display cluster, massaging front seats, and a visit to the Cadillac V-Performance Academy.

Available options include adaptive cruise control, auto-reverse braking, automatic parking assist with braking, and integrated performance-data recorder. Options also include carbon-fiber packages.

Adding the $1,195 destination fee to the Blackwing base price brings the total to $85,190. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,531 per month. See 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing models for sale

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Includes:

• 6.2-liter supercharged V8 – Pumping out 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, this hand-built V8 can catapult the CT5-V Blackwing from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
• 6-speed manual transmission – Yes, a 6-speed manual transmission is standard. A 10-speed automatic tranny is an extra-cost option.
• Head-up display – A projector on the dashboard at the windshield base displays key driver information on the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight.