The 2023 Cadillac CT5 is a midsize luxury sedan that competes with rivals like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Lexus ES. With room for five and a price significantly undercutting much of its competition, the CT5 represents a good value if you’re looking for a luxury badge without a sky-high price.
For the 2023 model year, the CT5 is available in five trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, CT5-V, and CT5-V Blackwing. The Blackwing is officially the most powerful and fastest Cadillac of all time, thanks to the 668-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 found under its hood.
Lower trims come with a choice of a 237-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 or a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that delivers anywhere from 335 to 360 hp, depending on the trim. Every CT5 comes standard in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) format, though all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on all models except for the high-performance Blackwing.
Here’s a closer look at the 2023 Cadillac CT5 sedan in all trim levels.
2023 Cadillac CT5 Luxury (starting price of $37,695, estimated)
The Cadillac CT5 Luxury is powered by the 237-hp turbo inline-4 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Performance is acceptable, though we’d consider paying extra for the added power and refinement provided by the twin-turbo V6 that’s optional in the Premium Luxury trim and standard in the CT5-V.
Where the CT5 excels is in how much it offers at a price point thousands less than many rivals. Standard convenience features on the CT5 Luxury include power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather seating surfaces, keyless entry, remote start, and a 10-inch touchscreen.
The infotainment system is easy to navigate and, for no added cost, it comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, a Wi-Fi hot spot, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and three USB ports.
Available upgrades and option packages include onboard navigation, a premium 15-speaker Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, and a power sunroof. Adding AWD to the CT5 Luxury brings improved all-weather grip, though it commands roughly $2,600 more than the RWD version.
Larger 20-inch alloy wheels are also available (versus the standard 18-inch wheels), along with run-flat tires — handy for anyone who dreads being stranded with a flat.
For safety, every CT5 is fitted with enhanced automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-seat reminder, rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and GM’s Teen Driver system.
The CT5 Luxury costs an estimated $39,090, with the $1,395 destination fee added. Financing for 60 months at a 3% interest rate with zero down at signing equals a monthly payment of about $702. See 2023 Cadillac CT5 Luxury models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT5 Luxury includes:
- Tech features – Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, as is wireless smartphone charging.
- Safety – The CT5 Luxury comes with several safety items, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
- All-season grip – AWD is optional on almost every CT5 trim.
2022 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury (starting price of $42,195, estimated)
The CT5 Premium Luxury unlocks several tempting options, not least of which is the available 335-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 powertrain. This provides significantly better performance than the base turbo inline-4, though it can’t match the smaller engine’s impressive fuel economy.
What more do you get with the Premium Luxury? To start, it brings along all the standard comfort, technology, and active safety features found on the entry-level Luxury trim. Cadillac furnishes the sedan with LED interior ambient lighting and illuminated door handles, leather seating, wood or metallic cabin trim, adaptive cruise control, and auto-dimming mirrors to bolster the basics.
Options include a heated steering wheel, surround-view parking camera, a head-up instrument display, hands-free trunk lid, cabin air ionizer, and a 12-inch configurable digital instrument display. Many of these are grouped into option packages, along with many of the same cosmetic upgrades available on the CT5 Luxury.
The CT5 Premium Luxury is also the least expensive trim in which Cadillac’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving aid is available. This system allows for hands-free driving on pre-mapped stretches of divided highways throughout North America.
The Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury trim costs an estimated $44,395, including destination charges. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with zero down means a monthly payment of approximately $798. See 2023 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury includes:
Twin-turbo V6 – The Premium Luxury has a choice of turbo 4-cylinder or the significantly more potent twin-turbo V6.
Super Cruise – Cadillac’s semi-autonomous driving aid is optional.
Classier cabin – Leather seating and wood or metallic trim are included.
2023 Cadillac CT5 Sport (starting price of $43,395, estimated)
The CT5 Sport sounds like it will bring plenty of performance, though its name is a little deceptive. Unlike the Premium Luxury or V-branded CT5s, the Sport can be had only with the standard turbocharged 4-cylinder, plus a choice of RWD or AWD configuration.
What the Sport adds is an appearance package that includes trim-specific alloy wheels, darkened exterior trim, a thicker leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles, 18-way power-adjustable front seats, a dark mesh front grille, and a small rear spoiler. At the very least, the CT5 looks sporty, even if it doesn’t have the grunt afforded by the twin-turbo V6.
The Sport trim is notable for offering performance items that deliver greater agility, if not tire-smoking speed. A set of Brembo V Performance front brakes is optional, as is a firmer suspension coupled with a limited-slip differential and Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control.
With destination charges added, the Cadillac CT5 Sport costs an estimated $44,790. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest and with no money down means a monthly payment of about $805. See 2023 Cadillac CT5 Sport models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT5 Sport includes:
- Edgier exterior – Darkened exterior trim and a rear spoiler make the Sport look, well, sportier.
- Performance stoppers – Brembo V Performance brakes are optional.
- Added agility – Magnetic Ride Control suspension and a limited-slip differential make the CT5 Sport more capable on tight and twisty roads.
2023 Cadillac CT5-V (starting price of $50,495, estimated)
The CT5-V takes the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 and cranks output to 360 hp. It also comes standard with the performance hardware we mentioned is optional on the 4-cylinder-powered CT5 Sport. This includes Magnetic Ride Control, a limited-slip differential, bigger Brembo brakes, and launch control.
While it offers many of the same cosmetic upgrades found on other CT5 trims, one option grouping could entice car shoppers who want a fully-loaded vehicle. For approximately $6,000, the Platinum Package adds a hands-free trunk lid, navigation, semi-aniline leather seats, a dual-pane sunroof, carbon-fiber cabin accents, a rear camera mirror, and sueded microfiber interior trim.
Front seats with a massage function are also available, along with other stand-alone items like a performance data recorder, head-up instrument display, and automatic parking assist with braking.
Starting at $51,890, including a $1,395 destination fee, a Cadillac CT5-V financed for 60 months at 3% interest and with no money down equals a monthly payment of approximately $932. See 2023 Cadillac CT5-V models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT5-V includes:
- 360 horsepower – The CT5-V has 25 more horsepower than the standard twin-turbo V6.
- Platinum package – It’s pricey, but this option package gives the CT5 a far more luxurious interior.
- Launch control – Ideal for anyone who needs to be first away when a traffic light turns green.
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (starting price of $90,995, estimated)
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a stunning display of speed and refinement. As the fastest and most powerful Cadillac production car in the brand’s long and storied history, the CT5-V Blackwing is capable of hitting speeds over 200 mph. It also needs only 3.4 seconds to blast its way from zero to 60 mph.
Propelled by a hand-built 6.2-liter V8, the Blackwing delivers 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque to its rear wheels courtesy of a standard 6-speed manual or optional 10-speed automatic. This makes the Blackwing capable of challenging super sedans like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4-door Coupe. While it’s expensive at roughly $86,000, the Blackwing is thousands less than these competitors.
Notable options include carbon-fiber exterior trim, Tech Bronze-finish alloy wheels wrapped in summer-only tires, and a performance data recorder and video recorder.
With the destination fee added, the Cadillac CT5-V will cost an estimated $92,390. That amount, financed for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down, translates to a monthly payment of about $1,660. See 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing models for sale
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing includes:
- Supercharged V8 – With 668 horsepower, this is the most powerful engine ever fitted to a Cadillac.
- Manual gearbox – A 6-speed manual is the standard gearbox. A 10-speed automatic is optional.
- Carbon brakes – For the best stopping power, Cadillac offers a set of cross-drilled carbon-ceramic brakes on the Blackwing.
I placed an order on a 2023 CT5 Luxury edition about a month ago and it probably won’t be available until January or February. It will have all the major ‘bells & whistles’ except the self driving which I am not ready for it yet. My question is that I ordered the vehicle in the 4 cylinder edition and now wondering if I should have chosen the 6 cylinder instead? I also don’t know if I can even change it at this time? What is your opinion? For what it’s worth I am an a 77 year old (young) man.