The 2023 Cadillac CT4 is a compact luxury sedan that delivers a wide range of engines and powertrain choices to compete against rivals such as the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and Genesis G70.
At its fastest and most expensive, the newly-introduced CT4-V Blackwing has the performance of an outright sports car thanks to the twin-turbo V6 nestled under its hood.
Even with its less powerful lineup of turbo 4-cylinders, the CT4 has crisp handling and a compliant ride that’s impressive in all driving scenarios. The base 272-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder is also good on gas, particularly if you choose to stick with this Cadillac’s standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) layout.
Should you prefer to swap a bit of fuel efficiency for all-season grip, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on every one of the CT4 trim levels, with the sole exception being the RWD-only CT4-V Blackwing. This automotive unicorn not only has 472 hp on tap but it can also be had with a 6-speed manual transmission – a true rarity in the new car world.
Let’s look at what each of the CT4’s five trims has to offer compact luxury sedan shoppers.
2023 Cadillac CT4 Luxury (starting price of $34,095, estimated)
The Cadillac CT4 has a starting price of $34,095, excluding a $1,395 destination fee, and this makes it notably less expensive than competing models like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Alfa Romeo Giulia. Despite its budget-friendly entry fee, the CT4 Luxury comes with a wide assortment of standard features.
In terms of safety, Cadillac groups several features into the Smart Safety package. This includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, a rear-seat reminder, and GM’s Teen Driver system, to name only a few.
Inside, the CT4 is fitted with an 8-inch infotainment screen which, while easy to use, is starting to look on the small side compared to larger systems fitted in rival sedans. To its credit, the CT4 comes standard with wireless smartphone charging, a pair of USB ports, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
While we wish some of the CT4’s interior trim had a more upscale look and feel, the roster of standard items comes to the rescue of a few mundane-looking swaths of plastic. Power-operated front seats, dual-zone climate control, simulated leather seating surfaces, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are all standard.
Several option packages are also available, including the aptly named Sun and Sound Package that comes with a sunroof, 14-speaker Bose stereo, and navigation. Wheel sizes range from standard 17-inch alloy wheels to your choice of 19-inch alloys that ring in at roughly $2,500 for a polished or gloss black finish.
The CT4 Luxury has an estimated base price of $35,490, including the destination fee of $1,395. Financing for 60 months at a 3% interest rate with zero down at signing translates to a monthly payment of about $638. See 2023 Cadillac CT4 Luxury models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT4 Luxury includes:
- Smartphone friendly – Wireless charging and wireless smartphone connectivity are standard.
- Safety – Several active safety features come with no added charge in every version of the CT4.
- RWD or AWD – AWD is optional on every trim except the high-performance CT4-V Blackwing.
2022 Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury (starting price of $38,995, estimated)
The CT4 Premium Luxury takes the standard blueprint of this small luxury sedan and allows for a choice of the base turbo 2.0-liter inline-4 or an optional 310-hp 2.7-liter turbo 4-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic (versus an 8-speed automatic with the 2.0-liter). All-wheel drive is optional.
In terms of content, the CT4 Premium Luxury comes with leather seating, rain-sensing wipers, ambient interior lighting, memory settings for the driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, auto-dimming mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a universal garage door opener.
If you’re feeling a little racy – but don’t mind a bland-sounding option group – the Exterior Accent Package costs about $3,000 and includes a small rear spoiler, 19-inch polished alloy wheels, and a choice of four exterior colors. The available Climate Package also adds heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel for a cool, ahem, $1,200 extra.
Cadillac’s Super Cruise self-driving aid is optional on higher trims, including the Premium Luxury and Sport trims. This allows for semi-autonomous hands-free driving on pre-mapped stretches of highways throughout North America.
Keep in mind that some trim and optional package groupings might be unavailable because of ongoing supply chain issues and microchip shortages.
With its estimated base price and a destination fee of $1,395 factored in, the Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury costs $40,390. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with nothing down at signing means a monthly payment of about $726. See 2023 Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury includes:
More powerful turbo-4 – The Premium Luxury trim includes an optional 310-horsepower turbo inline-4.
Smarter cruise control – Adaptive cruise control is standard.
Fancier seating – Leather seating surfaces and more power adjustments for the front seats are also included.
2023 Cadillac CT4 Sport (starting price of $40,195, estimated)
The Sport trim is something of a quirky outlier in the CT4 range. Sure, it comes with exterior features like a black grille, a rear spoiler, dark exterior trim accents, and trim-specific alloy wheels.
Yet, the Sport is offered only with the standard 237-hp turbo inline-4 paired to an 8-speed automatic and your choice of a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration. The more powerful turbo engine is not available.
The cabin features 18-way power-adjustable front seats, alloy pedals, and magnesium shift paddles mounted to the steering wheel. It looks the part, though the CT4 Sport plays a little bit of smoke and mirrors in terms of its style and outright performance. At least a set of 4-piston Brembo front brakes are optional (at approximately $1,000), providing extra stopping power during vigorous driving adventures.
Option packages for the Sport are similar to what’s available in the Premium Luxury. This includes a grouping of navigation and an upgraded Bose audio system, along with the Technology Package, which adds a head-up instrument display, a cabin air ionizer, and a 12-inch digital instrument display.
With its estimated base price of $40,195 and a destination fee of $1,395, the Cadillac CT4 Sport costs $41,590. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down results in a monthly payment of about $747. See 2023 Cadillac CT4 Sport models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT4 Sport includes:
- Super Cruise – Cadillac’s superb self-driving aid is optional in the Sport.
- Bigger brakes – Brembo front brakes can be yours for about $1,000.
- Sporty looks – The Sport features a small rear spoiler, darkened exterior trim, and run-flat 18-inch tires.
2023 Cadillac CT4-V (starting price of $46,295, estimated)
Here’s where things start to get exciting. Credit some old-fashioned horsepower for giving the CT4 lineup extra sizzle. The CT4-V employs the same turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-4 offered in the Premium Luxury trim, but with output now bumped to 325 horsepower.
However, that difference of 15 horsepower is only part of the CT4-V’s charm offensive. Also fitted as standard is a limited-slip differential, Brembo front brakes, performance-tuned suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, launch control, and a traction control system tuned for sportier driving. In other words, you can toss this Cadillac around corners without overeager electronic nannies spoiling the fun.
With its estimated base price and destination fee added, the Cadillac CT4-V costs $47,690. When financed for 60 months at 3% interest and with no money down, this results in a payment of about $857 per month. See 2023 Cadillac CT4-V models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT4-V includes:
- Extra horsepower – You get 325 hp in this Cadillac sedan.
- Corner-carving hardware – A limited-slip differential and a performance-tuned traction control system make the CT4-V even more capable through corners.
- RWD or AWD – Unlike the wilder RWD-only Blackwing, the CT4-V is available with optional AWD.
2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (starting price of $60,495, estimated)
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing has a name that sounds like a fighter jet. With its 472-horsepower twin-turbo V6, the Blackwing certainly has a degree of forward thrust that lives up to its lofty-sounding badge.
Driving enthusiasts will love that a 6-speed manual gearbox is standard – those who don’t want to shift will enjoy knowing a 10-speed automatic is optional.
The Blackwing competes with sport sedan rivals like the BMW M3 and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. While the Blackwing is approximately $25,000 more than a base CT4 Luxury, it’s many thousands less than these direct competitors.
Standard equipment includes performance suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, summer tires, and more heavily bolstered front seats to hold you firmly in place. A carbon fiber option group adds exterior items like a carbon-fiber front splitter and carbon rear spoiler.
Inside there is a choice of three premium interior color combinations to pair with standard heated front seats and heated steering wheel, plus a 15-speaker AKG audio system.
With its estimated base price of $60,495 and a destination fee of $1,395, the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing costs $61,890. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down results in a monthly payment of about $1,112. See 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing includes:
- Turbo V6– This engine allows the Blackwing to rip its way to 60 mph in about 4 seconds.
- Manual gearbox – A 6-speed manual serves as the Blackwing’s standard gearbox.
- Tail-sliding RWD – This is the only CT4 that does without optional AWD.
