The Best Midsize Cadillac Cars
The Cadillac CT5 and its two additional performance variations, the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing, are the luxury automaker’s best and only midsize cars.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
Table of Contents
The
Cadillac
CT5 is the luxury automaker’s only midsize car, but it does come in two additional performance variations: the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing.Unfortunately, this laser focus on SUVs has led to some points of oversight for their only midsize car—whether that be causation or correlation. The exterior of the CT5 is undoubtedly alluring, but the driving experience is unathletic and some interior features don’t feel up to Cadillac standards. Luckily, the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing are the redeeming performance variations of this midsize car that otherwise leaves us wanting more.
2022 Cadillac CT5 & CT5-V
We wish we had more candidates to choose from since this article is titled The Best Midsize Cadillac Cars, but we’ll work with what we have! Some may argue that the
CT4
should be included, but it is technically considered a compact car.Anyway, let’s get into the details of the latest release for the Cadillac CT5 and CT5-V (which will then be followed by the breathtaking CT5-V Blackwing, which deserves a section all its own).
Pricing
The 2022 Cadillac CT5 has an MSRP of $38,690, which is a relatively affordable starting price compared to some of its German counterparts in the luxury midsize sedan category.
However, you’ll need to spend in the ballpark of $50,000 for the performance upgrades needed to improve upon the pokey powertrain in the entry-level CT5. But even so, this price is still south of what you will pay for an
Audi A6
or BMW 5-Series
.Performance
When it comes to performance for the 2022 Cadillac CT5, it’s pay to play. But is it a good investment? Let’s find out.
The 237-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that comes standard on the
Luxury (base)
, Premium Luxury, and Sport
trim levels take a sluggish 6.6 seconds to get the sedan from 0 to 60 mph. A more engaging 335-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is available, but it can only be equipped to the Premium Luxury trim level, which costs you $43,190 plus a $3,500 upcharge for the upgraded powertrain. However, even if you anty-up the extra cash, the CT5’s performance potential is hindered by poor driving dynamics.Fortunately, the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V steps up to address all the shortcomings of the CT5—but again, you’ll have to pay up. For $51,490, the CT5-V adds performance suspension, magnetic ride control, electronic limited-slip differential, launch control, and performance traction management for a much-improved driving experience. You also get a boosted 360-hp version of the twin-turbo V-6 that drops the 60 mph sprint time down to 4.6 seconds.
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Fuel economy
Let’s be honest with ourselves, you’re not buying a Cadillac for its fuel efficiency—at least not as your primary reasoning. But you may be pleasantly surprised by the fuel economy ratings for the 2022 CT5. Check them out below (city/highway/combined):
- 237-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder: 23/33/27 mpg
- 335-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6: 19/27/24 mpg
- 360-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6: 18/27/23 mpg
Interior and tech
Between synthetic leather seats and some plastic dashboard materials, the 2022 Cadillac CT5 Luxury (base trim) feels like it cut some corners in regards to its interior quality. Fortunately, the upper trim levels make up for this with wood, aluminum, or carbon-fiber accented features and legit leather seating with perforated inserts.
But you will be delighted with the CT5’s tech setup, which includes a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Apple/Android smartphone integration, and rain-sensing wipers—with upper trims adding a Bose audio system, extra seat settings, and more!
Safety and reliability
The CT5 offers an array of safety-centric driver assistant technologies that prioritize accident prevention.
For starters, all models come equipped with forward-collision warning with auto emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Then once you upgrade to the Premium Luxury, Sport, or CT5-V trim levels, you can add GM’s exclusive Super Cruise, which is a semi-autonomous system that can help drivers accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle under certain conditions.
With the help of these safety innovations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2022 CT5 a perfect five-star score for overall safety.
It also received an 85/100 from J.D. Power for its quality and reliability, so the 2022 CT5 is a trustworthy vehicle from top to bottom.
Trim levels
We’ve mentioned all the available trim levels throughout the article, but we figured we’d put them in one convenient spot for you—including some additional packages, too!
- Luxury ($38,690): base model
- Premium Luxury ($43,190): adds luxury and convenience features
- Premium Luxury w/ engine upgrade ($46,600): 335-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6
- Sport ($44,390): adds features like a rear spoiler, alloy pedals, and more
- CT5-V ($51,490): adds 360-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and performance package
- Performance package ($1,950): magnetic ride control, performance suspension, and mechanical limited-slip rear differential (available on Sport trim)
- All-wheel-drive ($2,600 to $3,090): all tirims come standard with rear-wheel-drive
- Super Cruise Driver Assistance Feature ($2,500): available on all trims except Luxury
- Premium audio package ($850): navigation system and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system
- Cold Package ($650): heated front seats and heated steering wheel
- Lighting package ($750): ambient lighting and illuminated door handles & doorsills
Competitors
It’s no doubt that German automaker’s like BMW and Audi provide stiff competition for Cadillac. And while the CT5 may fall short in some aspects, its value is undeniable—check out the competitive analysis in the chart below:
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Consumer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Cadillac CT5 | $38,690 to $51,490 | 237-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 23/33 mpg city/hwy | 5 stars NHSTA overall rating | 81/100 (J.D. Power) |
2022 BMW 5 Series | $54,200 to $76,800 | 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 25/33 mpg city/hwy | 5 stars NHSTA overall rating | 80/100 (J.D. Power) |
2022 Audi A6 | $56,995 to $70,595 | 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 23/32 mpg city/hwy | 5 stars NHSTA overall rating | 71/100 (J.D. Power) |
2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | $56,000 to $73,950 | 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 23/31 mpg city/hwy | 5 stars NHSTA overall rating | 77/100 (J.D. Power) |
2022 Lexus ES | $42,100 to $52,480 | 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder | 22/32 mpg city/hwy | 5 stars NHSTA overall rating | 83/100 (J.D. Power) |
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MORE: Are Cadillacs expensive to maintain?
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is so outrageous that we had to separate it from its midsize companions in the CT5 and CT5-V. It’s simply in a world of its own. Here’s everything you need to know about this high-performance variation that can only be described as a super sedan!
Pricing
You’ll need to double your budget if you want the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing because it has an MSRP of $85,390. But you’ll soon realize why it’s worth every extra penny!
Performance
Under the hood, you’ll find a behemoth 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that produces 668 horsepower.
When you partner this beefy engine with a six-speed manual transmission, you’ll be able to hit 60 mph in about 3.6 seconds. But you’ll get even better performance when you opt for the 10-speed automatic, shaving another 0.2 seconds off the 0-to-60 time.
Its brute power and sharp handling make it one of the most fun sedans to drive on the market—there’s really no other way to say it.
Fuel economy
Thrilling but thirsty is how we would describe the Blackwing’s V8 engine. You should only expect to get around 15 combined mpg, and even less if you frequently test the super sedan’s acceleration limits. But in the end, we think it's all a fair tradeoff!
Interior and tech
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing includes many additional standard features that are otherwise optional or unavailable for the CT5 and CT5-V. Here are some highlights:
- Surround-view camera with recorder
- Head-up display
- Navigation system
- Security system with motion detection
- Heated and massaging front seats
- 16-speaker AKG audio system
- 12-inch color driver-display cluster
Safety and reliability
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing shares safety and reliability ratings with the CT5 and CT5-V. But let’s not overlook the fact that even though the 668-hp V8 engine is tempting, it’s always important to practice safe driving habits to avoid an accident.
Trim levels
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing only comes in one unique trim level.
Competitors
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing isn’t quite as swift as the competition. But in all reality, a half second is negligible for the price difference—as you’ll see in the chart below:
Model | MSRP Range | Base Powertrain | 0-to-60 Range |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | $85,390 | 668-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 | 3.6 to 3.4 seconds |
$105,695 to $143,995 | 600-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 | 3.2 to 2.8 seconds | |
2022 Audi RS7 | $119,595 | 591-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 | 3.0 seconds |
2021 Mercdes-AMG E63 S | $108,550 | 603-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 | 2.8 seconds |
$81,040 to $90,635 | 717-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 | 3.8 to 3.5 seconds |
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Are Cadillacs good cars?
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Is a Cadillac CT4 a midsize car?
No, the Cadillac CT4 is a compact car that is smaller than the CT5 in every primary sizing category, like wheelbase, passenger space, cargo capacity, etc.
Does Cadillac have a mid-size SUV?
Yes, the Cadillac XT6 is a mid-size SUV and one of the luxury automaker’s best-selling vehicles!
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