Our Opinion - 2026 Cadillac CT4 Review Cadillac is known for crafting luxury vehicles, but the CT4 is designed to do something different. The CT4 is a well-designed, small luxury car that serves as Cadillac’s entry-level model. It competes with entry-level models from other high-end brands, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3. The CT4 aims to make the Cadillac class more accessible, but it lacks the high-quality materials and glossy interior of some of its fiercest rivals. Although the 325-hp CT4-V has enough power and poise to be a good sports sedan, the smaller CT4 grades aren’t nearly as enjoyable to drive despite featuring dynamic rear-wheel drive. What's New? The CT4 will be available in more colors and feature a wider range of common options by 2026. The first-row seats in the Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels now have ventilation. The front seats and steering wheel are heated in all models. Two new colors for the outside of the CT4 are Vibrant White Tricoat and Coastal Blue Metallic. Pros and Cons Pros: Excellent changes to the chassis. A simple pattern on the outside. The Blackwing type is what drivers prefer the most. Cons: There isn’t much room for cargo or seats in the back. Some aspects of the technology are outdated. The engine makes awful noises. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Buyers have two turbocharged four-cylinder engine options for the 2026 Cadillac CT4. The CT4-V comes equipped with a standard 2.7-liter engine, which is also available as an upgrade in the Premium Luxury trim. The base Luxury, mid-tier Premium Luxury, and Sport variants all feature a 2.0-liter engine producing 237 horsepower. The two versions of the 2.7-liter engine deliver 310 and 325 horsepower, respectively. The 2.7-liter engine is matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.0-liter engine comes with an 8-speed automatic. Because it features rear-wheel drive, which is uncommon in this market, the CT4 is significantly more fuel-efficient than its competitors. Rivals like the Audi A3 and BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe are based on front-wheel-drive platforms, whereas every version of the CT4 offers available all-wheel drive. While we expected the 10-speed automatic transmission to be smoother, our experience behind the wheel of the CT4-V revealed a car that’s quick, aggressive, and fun to drive. Even in its sportiest configuration, the CT4’s suspension absorbs potholes well, keeping the ride comfortable for passengers. Its precise handling and overall ride quality are sure to appeal to driving enthusiasts. Safety Cadillac comes with a number of driver-assistance systems as standard, but only the Premium Luxury and Sport trim levels offer the advanced Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system as an option. The following are important safety features: Most automatic emergency brakes can tell who is on the road. Standard lane exit warning and help staying in your lane. You can drive in two different modes: semi-autonomous and variable cruise control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The CT4’s interior appears nice, but it falls short of the quality standards set by some of its rivals. A closer look reveals that some of the touch points don’t feel as high-end as they should, despite the wheels and buttons being easy to use. The materials and colors are still limited, especially in the back of the cabin. The same goes for the trunk, which offers a cargo capacity of up to 10.7 cubic feet. Several basic and optional luxury features, as well as technological comforts, help mitigate some of these flaws when compared to the base model. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG Last year, both of the CT4’s turbocharged four-cylinder engines delivered solid fuel efficiency, though the EPA has not yet published fuel economy ratings for the 2026 model. The EPA reports that 2.0-liter rear-wheel-drive cars can achieve fuel economy of up to 22 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg overall. We put a 2023 2.0-liter through its paces on our 75-mph highway fuel efficiency test loop as part of our thorough testing process. It got a good 33 mpg. With the more powerful 2.7-liter engine, the all-wheel-drive model gets 21 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg overall. In our highway test, it got an amazing 35 mpg. The CT4-V was expected to achieve 20 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg overall, which was not very impressive. However, in speed tests for the 2020 model, it got an amazing 35 mpg. To learn more about the fuel efficiency of the CT4, visit the EPA page. Infotainment and Connectivity All CT4 models are equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by the latest version of Cadillac’s CUE software. The vehicle comes equipped with an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot and standard features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps. Everything in a Cadillac comes with navigation. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system has been upgraded to a 14-speaker setup. Range, Charging, and Battery Life According to Invoice-pricing, the standard rear-wheel-drive engine generates 237 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. On the other hand, the 2.7-liter upgrade with 310 horsepower took only 4.7 seconds, and the most recent CT4-V we tested achieved the same result. Price and How to Choose The price of the 2026 Cadillac CT4 can vary depending on the chosen trim level and available options. While the CT4-V stands out with its sport-tuned suspension, enhanced braking system, more powerful engine, and bolder design, the Premium Luxury trim offers the best value overall. This trim upgrades the base Luxury model by adding 18-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors at both ends, and leather seats. Additionally, the front seats come with both heating and ventilation features.
