When Cadillac released the ATS-V and CTS-V, America experienced a renaissance in locally-produced sport sedans: these were cars that could genuinely compete with class-leading vehicles from BMW and Mercedes-AMG. The 2020 Cadillac CT5-V, then, has some big shoes to fill, and unfortunately falls a bit short of competing with big names such as the BMW M3, but instead sets its sights on the Audi S4, Mercedes-AMG C43, and BMW M340i. Under the hood, you'll find a gas-powered 360-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and a chassis that tries to strike a balance between performance and comfort, but the latter ends up taking preference. This all-new machine gets some decent features and is a capable performer, but is it enough to scare the big dogs? With the price of the 2020 Cadillac CT-5 V sedan falling shy of its direct rivals, it does at least present as good value for money.
The 2020 CT5-V is an all-new first-generation model from the US manufacturer, as is the CT5 on which it's based. While in size, it straddles the line between a 3 Series and a midsize 5 Series sedan, it's not even a genuine replacement for the ATS-V or CTS-V, instead occupying a performance middle ground that more directly replaces the old CTS V-Sport. Under the hood, it gets a twin-turbo 3.0-liter 6-cylinder and a 10-speed automatic gearbox, sending power to either the rear wheels or all corners.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Base |
3.0L Turbo V6 Gas
|
10-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$47,695 |
Those expecting a new and improved ATS-V will be disappointed: the CT5-V is no M3 fighter, not by a long shot, but then again, it doesn't carry the same cost, either. The new V-badged contender left us a little underwhelmed when we found out about its 360 hp output and auto-only transmission option, but the CT5-V does not pretend to be a hardcore sports sedan. Yes, it has a finely balanced chassis and beautiful handling dynamics, but it's far from being as focused as an Audi S4 or BMW M340i. Do note that we're not saying it's slow; this car hauls booty. Another disappointing aspect is the interior, which lacks the polish of its German rivals, and lets down a handsomely styled exterior. It doesn't help that the trunk is small too. If you can overlook the few faults this car has, you're still left with a competent performance vehicle that will keep you comfortable on a daily basis and entertain when asked to.
The most popular competitors of 2020 Cadillac CT5-V: