2025 Cadillac CT5

Pros 

• Standard with Cadillac’s latest advanced tech and safety features.
• Offers precise steering and a smooth-shifting powertrain.
• Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system performs excellently.

Cons 

• Rear legroom and trunk space are limited. 
• It doesn’t feel or look like real luxury.

How does the CT5 get power? The supercharged V6 engine makes 335 horsepower. On our test track, it took 5.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. That speed is normal for a midsize luxury sedan with a six-cylinder engine, but it is still fast. Around town, the V6 feels strong and smooth. 

A smooth 10-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine’s speed steady. The touchy brake pedal is the main problem when driving in traffic; it makes it hard to stop smoothly, even though the engine has some auto-stop-start technology. We learned that the CT5 was handled reliably and safely. The CT5 is more fun to drive than it looks, even though it’s not a sports car. This is because it has sharp steering and well-tuned suspension.

How comfortable is the CT5? Some things about Cadillac could be better, like comfort and polish, which should be the main goals when making a luxury car. The front and back seats are both supportive and comfy. However, the ride quality is bad for an expensive car. When the road isn’t level, the CT5 can swing around like a boat, crashing over bumps instead of soaking them. If you choose the Sport trim and the extra adaptive suspension, the ride will be better. 

In general, the climate control device works great. It’s unusual for this class to have all hardware buttons for controls since most of them are sleek but annoying touchscreens. We also like how quickly the seat warms up. The fans quickly raise the car’s temperature, but they are too loud for a luxury sedan.

How is the inside? Adding a 33-inch digital display to the Cadillac makes the inside look better and more organized without changing how it works overall. The climate and driving assistance choices are easy to get to and have clear names. The dial control lets you change how you use the device by controlling the tablet. 

One problem with the CT5 is that it can’t carry taller people. There is enough space and headroom all around, even if you don’t use the sunroof that comes with the car. There isn’t much headroom in the back, though, so you have to be much shorter than six feet to fit easily. The low stance and sloped back roofline of the car also make getting in and out harder.

How does the tech work? The CT5 includes every new piece of technology you might expect in a high-end car. Overall, the driver assistance systems work well, but we didn’t like how quickly the adaptive cruise control stopped and started moving. The Super Cruise option is helpful on long trips or when there is a lot of traffic. It lets you drive hands-free on mapped roads and can help you relax a bit. 

It was also easy to use and had a lot of useful information. The Google technologies and the 33-inch curved screen make the system look great and very easy to use. The technology in the CT5 looks good and is easy to use, but the Cadillac has fewer features than its German competitors. If you want to use your phone, you can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto wirelessly. It’s well-organized and easy to use. There are also several USB ports for quick charging.

How are things with the storage? The CT5 has one of the smallest trunks in its class. With only 11.9 cubic feet of room, the trunk is at the bottom of its class. The back seats are split in half, 60/40, so they can be folded flat. This makes the room big and useful. 

It’s better to keep everything inside the house. For some reason, expensive cars don’t have as much space inside, but the CT5 does a great job of making up for it. There are good-sized bins and cupholders, as well as a vertical wireless charger that takes up less room than most charges.  

It should be easy to put in a child’s seat. Larger seats facing backward are possible because there is a lot of space in the back, and the anchors are easy to reach because they are hidden under plastic covers.

How much fuel does it use? Both city and highway fuel economy for the CT5’s standard engine is 27 mpg. With the V6 and all-wheel drive, it only gets 21 mpg. That’s fine; nothing strange has happened. We got an average of 21 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving test route with our rear-wheel-drive, V6-equipped CT5. This shows that the EPA figures are attainable.

Should you pay that much for the CT5? Cadillac’s CT5 is a great deal for the money. The list of basic features is enough for a luxury car, and most of the options won’t cost you nearly as much as they would on similar luxury cars. The build quality wasn’t as good as the best in its class, though. Inside, some parts feel more like they belong in a Buick than a Cadillac. There is a powertrain protection warranty that lasts six years and 70,000 miles, and a basic warranty that lasts four years and 50,000 miles from Cadillac.

The CT5’s simple, warm style has held up well over time. The CT5-V Blackwing with a V8 engine is always a possibility, but we’d like it to be a little harder to drive.

The Cadillac CT5 Sport’s engine isn’t very powerful, so we suggest the Premium Luxury, which has a twin-turbocharged V6 engine choice that makes acceleration more satisfying. Most of the choices are for improving the way the car looks, but the Technology and Platinum packages may be worth looking into because they come with some nice extras.