The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will get all the eye, what with its supercharged engine and six-speed handbook. However slotted neatly between the bottom CT5 and the full-bore Blackwing is the CT5-V—a strong but oft-forgotten efficiency automobile.

The CT5-V packs a still-powerful twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, Magnetic Trip Management, and thanks to some updates for 2025, a premium inside with Cadillac’s newest and best infotainment know-how. And for simply $58,390 to begin, it is a fairly strong efficiency cut price.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cadillac’s twin-turbo V-6 is a clean operator. Sending 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels by a 10-speed computerized transmission, the CT5-V is not any slouch. It will get to 60 miles per hour in a aggressive 4.6 seconds and on to a prime pace of 156 miles per hour, when you discover the best highway.

Max torque arrives at 2,400 rpm, which suggests loads of grunt down low, if not a tiny tinge of turbo lag. The CT5-V feels faster than its 4.6-second 0-60 time suggests. And it is hella enjoyable to tear between stoplights—particularly with its burly V-6 exhaust observe. However even at freeway speeds, that engine by no means feels prefer it’s able to give up; there’s all the time sufficient oomph even approach up within the rev vary.

The ten-speed computerized is… tremendous. The six-speed from the Blackwing would nonetheless be the superior gearbox right here, however the auto shifts shortly sufficient and is pleasant sufficient to make use of each day. Flip the drive mode to Observe and tug on the paddles for finest outcomes.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Professionals: Clean & Highly effective Engine, Refined Trip, Glorious Know-how, First rate Base Worth

The combo of the CT5-V’s Alpha platform (RIP Camaro) and Magnetic Trip Management means this automobile is a darling in corners. It dives eagerly into turns and feels composed all over exit. There’s a trace of physique roll—extra, possibly, than the next-best Audi or BMW—however it by no means lacks composure.

If solely the steering was a hair extra exact. A dead-on-center feeling and a few vagueness by the rack means the CT5-V does not really feel as tight because it ought to. Very similar to the more-powerful Blackwing, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment on this respect (possibly a CT5-V Precision package deal?)

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

As a each day, although, the CT5-V is unmatched. That Magnetic Trip Management that does so properly in corners additionally makes the CT5 a elegant long-distance cruiser. It completely eats up bumps. A wealthy brown leather-based covers the seats and sprint, high-quality finishes dot the middle console, and a large new touchscreen for 2025 lastly brings Cadillac’s know-how on top of things. That was one in all my greatest gripes with the pre-facelift automobile.

Your entire CT5 line has an ordinary 33.0-inch widescreen show that extends from the digital instrument cluster to the middle touchscreen. It appears to be like beautiful and it is extraordinarily straightforward to make use of; all the graphics are crisp, the response occasions are smartphone-quick, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto each come customary.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: Imprecise Steering, Dear With Choices, Wants A Guide

And reward be, Cadillac is likely one of the few manufacturers that also provides a management knob for the display screen (BMW simply did away with its iDrive controller). It isn’t nice for each perform, however particularly when driving, utilizing the controller to entry primary choices is a breeze, slightly than reaching for the touchscreen at excessive speeds.

However the very best, most essential piece of know-how within the CT5-V is Tremendous Cruise—GM’s hands-free driver help. Tremendous Cruise comes customary on the CT5-V, and it really works flawlessly. Merely tick the steering wheel button on the, properly, steering wheel, and a inexperienced gentle bar illuminates to let you know when it is working.

Tremendous Cruise retains the automobile centered within the lane and even adjustments lanes mechanically with out your enter when it sees a gap. You don’t want to the touch the steering wheel in any respect, however you do all the time must be on the prepared simply in case. So no your telephone; linger out the window for too lengthy and Tremendous Cruise will flip off.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

With a beginning worth of $58,390, the CT5-V falls to the center of the pack when it comes to pricing—however that’s no unhealthy place to be. The brand new Audi A5 prices $48,995, the Acura TLX Kind S is $51,595, and the Genesis G70 3.3T begins at $52,300. The BMW M340i, in the meantime, is a whopping $61,375 and the Mercedes-AMG C43 prices $63,650.

This explicit automobile comes out to $70,225 with choices, which makes it a bit more durable to swallow. The Platinum package deal—which features a sunroof, the Know-how package deal, nicer leather-based, and a microfiber steering wheel—prices $8,595. The efficiency knowledge and video recorder (which you most likely don’t want on a non-Blackwing) is one other $1,600. Whereas the paint, brakes, and ventilated seats add a complete of $11,865 in choices.

Lots of these choices is perhaps price skipping if all you actually need is the Caddy’s {powerful} V-6, elegant suspension, and comfy journey. In that respect, the CT5-V is difficult to hate.

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Jeff Perez / Motor1