The Cadillac CT5 is a car that straddles the compact and midsize sedan segments. It aims to compete with the midsize Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class by offering similar driving appeal and prestige but at a lower price. It is also considered a rival to compact premium sedans such as the Audi A5, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class by bring more space for a similar cost.
Introduced for the 2020 model year, the CT5 replaced the third-generation CTS with a new fastback-style look and updated tech. The CT5 is the latest in a line of contemporary Cadillacs with 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 of the Cadillac CT5 have better technology, more appealing colour 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?
The Cadillac CT5 has a solid reliability record in general with very few issues raised on CarComplaints.com. As is often the case, though, early model years can be more prone to problems. There are four recalls for 2020 to 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?
In Canada, a used Cadillac CT5 is sometimes a good deal. However, pricing is a mixed bag, mainly due to a lack of inventory. Among the 37 CT5s that were for sale nationwide during our research, the average listing price on CarGurus.ca was just over $52,000. However, those figures includes the pricier CT5-V variant. Some low-kilometre early models were available for less than $40,000, and those are a better deal worth considering.
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 and 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 and driver assistance 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. It was practical and inoffensive, but the plain design and Chevy-sourced switches and displays looked very low-grade.
In Canada, the CT5 debuted with four trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V. It came standard with a 2.0-litre 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.
The optional 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 was 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 received this engine as standard with a raised output of 360 hp and 405 lb-ft.
Natural Resources Canada-estimated fuel economy was 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined for the four-cylinder with RWD or 9.5 with AWD, 11.0 L/100 km combined for the six-cylinder with RWD or 11.5 with AWD, and 11.3 L/100 km combined for the CT5-V with RWD or 11.8 with AWD.
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, a 12-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Premium Luxury added leather upholstery, ventilated front seats with memory, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, auto-dimming mirrors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, and rear parking sensors.
Sport included 18-way front seats with side bolsters, Brembo front brakes, 19-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and other sport-themed details.
The V included the higher-output V6, a sport-tuned suspension with magnetic dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential, coloured brake calipers, and quad exhaust tips. Original starting MSRPs for all trims ranged from just under $40,000 to $50,000 before fees.
For 2021, Cadillac added several packages and tech upgrades. All trims received wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 12-inch driver information display. Super Cruise, which was unavailable during the early stages of the 2020 due to the pandemic, became available in very limited quantities.
The 2022 model year saw Super Cruise expanded across two option packages instead of one. Due to supply shortages during the pandemic, it’s very hard to find used 2020 to 2022 CT5 models with Super Cruise.
The CT5 got a mid-lifecycle refresh for the 2025 model year. The base Luxury and top V trims were dropped. Changes included restyled headlights and lower fascias, a lower and wider grille, a 33-inch curved display screen with new Google Built-in infotainment software including Google Maps, 5G Wi-Fi, blind zone steering assist (an active blind spot monitor that can also steer to help avoid a collision), traffic sign recognition, and driver attention assist. Super Cruise became standard on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims.
For 2026, Cadillac added new Vibrant White Tricoat, Coastal Blue Metallic, and Cyber Yellow Metallic colour options.
At the time of writing, new prices for a 2026 Cadillac CT5 were $61,499 for both the Premium Luxury and Sport trims, including the $2,900 destination charge. AWD added $2,500 to each trim. List prices on CarGurus.ca for used 2020 to 2025 CT5 models ranged from $35,000 for early models with reasonable odometer readings to $60,000 for like-new late models.
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