Cadillac CT4 vs CT5: Where They Differ

While the sedan market is not the hotbed of competition it used to be, it’s still among the most important sectors in the US car market. Cadillac has long been associated with luxurious and stylish sedan cars, and sedans are often what people think of first when you mention the brand Cadillac.

Two of their flagship sedans are the Cadillac CT4 and the CT5. Let’s take a closer look at how they compare.

Quick Summary

The Cadillac CT4 is a compact executive sedan, with dimensions typical of a sports sedan. But it’s the bigger and more practical mid-size Cadillac CT5 that is the more popular sedan in the US. Other than size, both cars are fairly evenly matched in terms of features, performance and level of luxury.

Pricing

The Cadillac CT4 starts at $33,695, with 3 available trim levels, namely the Luxury (from $34,890), Premium Luxury (from $39,780), and Sport (from $40,990).

The same 3 trims are available for the Cadillac CT5, which has a base MSRP of $37,295. The Luxury’s net price begins at $38,490, the Premium Luxury at $42,990, and the Sport at $44,190.

While not the subject of this comparison, it’s important to remember that there are also performance-tuned versions of the CT4 and CT5 sedans. These are the Cadillac CT4-V and Cadillac CT5-V sport sedans. And for true Cadillac Racing engineering, look no further than the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing models. Be warned though, the latter costs more than a Cadillac Escalade!

Cadillac CT4 rear 3/4 view
CT4
Cadillac CT5 rear 3/4 view
CT5

Exterior

The Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5 share a number of exterior features, including the all-new Cadillac headlight and taillight signature, identical front-grille shape and design, as well as a clean, bold design defined by more square and boxy lines in the body, front and rear, but a sleeker curved rear roofline, especially on the CT5.

The Cadillac CT5 is several inches longer and wider, which gives the exterior a greater sense of grandeur and luxury. It also has a much larger and more prominently placed set of intakes on the front end. The CT5 also offers larger 18-inch wheels as standard, going up to 20 inches. By comparison, you get 17″ wheels as standard on the Cadillac CT4, ranging up to 19 inches.

Interior Styling

The interior on both models is comfortable, elegant, and well-designed. Material choices are premium in both, with leather and soft-touch materials abounding in both models.

Cadillac CT4 cockpit view
CT4
Cadillac CT5 cockpit view
CT5

But these Cadillac sedans lack some of the extra-luxurious flair that has become standard on many European models from the likes of Audi and BMW. That higher level of luxury is perhaps more in line with people’s expectations from an executive sedan in this price range.

Performance

The standard engine in both these Cadillacs is the 2.0L twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder unit. In the Cadillac CT4, that’s paired with an 8-speed automatic as standard, or 10-speed on the Premium Luxury model when you upgrade to the 2.7L Dual Volute turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

The bigger Cadillac CT5 gets a 10-speed automatic across the entire range. Both the CT4 and CT5 are available in rear wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain configurations.

The Cadillac CT5 engine options include the same 2.0L unit, but instead of the 2.7 Volute engine, it gets the more powerful 3.0L twin turbo V6 engine as its upgrade option.

Comparing these three engines on offer, the base 2.0L 4-cylinder engine generates 235-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 2.7L ups the horsepower to 309-hp, and the V6 to 325-hp.

On the road, the CT4 is generally the more pleasing option. The CT4 offers keen, responsive steering and quality suspension and damping that keep out road noise and do a decent job of keeping pothole vibrations out of the cabin.

The CT5 has less athletic handling, and fairly sluggish acceleration from 0 to 60 in 6.6 seconds. Rivals like the BMW 3 Series can complete it in 5.1 seconds, which is a significant gap for cars in the same category.

Overall, those who care a lot about how the car performs on different road types and at a variety of speeds will find a better connection with the CT4.

Looking beyond just these two Cadillac models, both are more fun in the driver’s seat than their SUV counterparts, the XT4 and XT5.

Cadillac CT4 side view
CT4
Cadillac CT5 side view
CT5

Fuel Economy

Neither model is especially fuel-efficient compared to some European or Japanese models, but the numbers for both models aren’t all that bad.

The Cadillac CT4 can get as high as 23-mpg in the city, and 33-mpg on the highway, with a combined mpg rating of 27. The CT5’s best numbers are the same.

It should be noted however that if one opts for the V6 engine on the CT5, those numbers will drop to 19-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway.

Practicality

As you might expect from a sedan car, neither is very generous when it comes to cargo space, either. The CT4 offers 10.7 cubic feet in the trunk, and the CT5 just a little more at 11.9 cubic feet despite the additional length and width.

A point of contention among sedan owners is to do with leg room, especially for adults forced to sit in the back of the car. The Cadillac CT4 only offers 33.4 inches, whereas the CT5 offers 37.9 inches. Those who will need to be transporting adult passengers will have a happier car full of people in the Cadillac CT5.

Technology & Features

As we mentioned earlier, most materials in both the CT4 and CT5 are of a high order of quality with leather and soft-touch abounding, but it’s unfortunate that some cheap plastic has made its way into these Cadillac sedans.

Buyers by and large expect more from this brand. If you upgrade to the higher trim levels on either car, however, you do see some improvement.

As for features, the lack of space in the Cadillac CT4 is compensated with standard 12-way power adjustable seats in the front front, as well as dual-zone climate controls.

You can augment that seating with leather upholstery, memory functions, and ambient lighting when you upgrade to the higher trim levels.

The infotainment system is an 8-inch touchscreen with the latest Cadillac User Experience (CUE) software, and there’s an optional 14-speaker Bose sound system. It took until 2021 for Cadillac to offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard across their range, but at least it’s there now.

The CT5 gets all that but with a larger 10-inch infotainment screen. Interestingly, both models are eligible for GM’s Super Cruise technology that delivers hands-free ADAS technology on certain roads.

Cadillac CT4 front view
CT4
Cadillac CT5 front view
CT5

Safety

Both models have received top scores in safety tests, the Cadillac CT4 scoring Good “G” in from the IIHS and the Cadillac CT5 getting 5 stars from the NHTSA.

Besides Super Cruise, other assistance and safety features include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, parking assistance, forward collision alert and more. These are all part of the overall Cadillac Smart System.

Verdict

Both the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5 have a lot to offer drivers, but it seems that the CT4 offers more of a fun driver-centric on-road experience. This is not at all uncommon in the sedan market, since it is usually the compact sedans that become associated with sportiness (think BMW 3 series/BMW M3, Lexus IS and Honda Civic).

On the other hand, the CT5 is more spacious and comfortable, and perhaps more suited to the level-headed daily driving about town and the suburbs: the morning commute, the school run, errands, and so on.

The main negative point on both is the overall quality of materials as standard. For a brand like Cadillac, one shouldn’t have to be adding so many packages and trim upgrades to get a guarantee of premium and quality materials throughout. Having said that, the unifying positive points are handsome exterior design, and a good range of features to choose from.

Comparison Table

2022 Cadillac CT42022 Cadillac CT5
Trim
Price$33695$37295
Performance
Engine2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower235 hp @ 5000 rpm235 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque258 lb-ft @ 1500-4000 rpm258 lb-ft @ 1500-4000 rpm
Transmission8-Speed Automatic10-Speed Automatic
DrivetrainRear-Wheel DriveRear-Wheel Drive
Handling
Steering TypeElectric Rack & PinionElectric Rack & Pinion
Rear SuspensionFive-LinkFive-Link
Rear Wheel SizeP225/45R17245/45R18
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Front Wheel SizeP225/45R17245/45R18
Turning Diameter (ft.)37.139.0
Fuel Economy
MPG/MPGe - Hwy3433
MPG/MPGe - City2323
MPG/MPGe - Combined2727
Gas Tank Size (gallons)17.017.0
Cruising Range - Hwy (miles)578.0561.0
Size and Weight
Height (in.)56.057.2
Length (in.)187.2193.8
Weight (lbs)34223659
Max Width (in.)71.474.1
Wheelbase (in.)109.3116.0
Interior Dimensions
Seating Capacity55
Trunk Volume (cu. ft.)10.711.9
Front Seat Leg Room (in.)42.442.4
Front Seat Head Room (in.)38.339.0
Front Seat Hip Room (in.)53.053.7
Front Seat Shoulder Room (in.)55.256.7
Rear Seat Leg room (in.)33.437.9
Rear Seat Head Room (in.)36.536.6
Rear Seat Hip Room (in.)52.553.7
Rear Seat Shoulder Room (in.)53.955.7
Infotainment Features
HD RadioStandardStandard
MP3 PlayerNot AvailableStandard
WiFi HotspotStandardStandard
Satellite RadioStandardStandard
Bluetooth ConnectionStandardStandard
Entertainment SystemNot AvailableNot Available
Premium Sound SystemOptionalStandard
Auxiliary Audio InputStandardStandard
Smart Device IntegrationStandardStandard
Hard Disk Drive Media StorageNot AvailableNot Available
Interior Trim
Cloth SeatsStandardStandard
Vinyl SeatsStandardStandard
Leather SeatsStandardStandard
Premium Synthetic SeatsStandardStandard
Bucket SeatsNot AvailableNot Available
Sun/MoonroofOptionalOptional
Leather Steering WheelStandardStandard
Woodgrain Interior TrimNot AvailableNot Available
Comfort Features
A/CStandardStandard
Rear A/CNot AvailableNot Available
TelematicsStandardStandard
Seat MemoryNot AvailableNot Available
Seat-MassageNot AvailableNot Available
Keyless EntryStandardStandard
Keyless StartStandardStandard
Cruise ControlStandardStandard
Multi-Zone A/CStandardStandard
Power LiftgateNot AvailableNot Available
Climate ControlStandardStandard
Head-Up DisplayNot AvailableNot Available
Power Mirror(s)StandardStandard
Automatic ParkingNot AvailableNot Available
Navigation SystemStandardStandard
Power Driver SeatNot AvailableNot Available
Cooled Rear Seat(s)Not AvailableNot Available
Hands-Free LiftgateNot AvailableNot Available
Heated Rear Seat(s)Not AvailableNot Available
Remote Engine StartStandardStandard
Cooled Front Seat(s)Not AvailableNot Available
Heated Front Seat(s)OptionalOptional
Power Passenger SeatNot AvailableNot Available
Remote Trunk ReleaseNot AvailableNot Available
Heated Steering WheelStandardStandard
Adaptive Cruise ControlNot AvailableNot Available
Navigation from TelematicsNot AvailableNot Available
Universal Garage Door OpenerNot AvailableStandard
Steering Wheel Audio ControlsStandardNot Available
Safety Features
ABSStandardStandard
Brake AssistNot AvailableNot Available
Night VisionNot AvailableNot Available
Rear Parking AidStandardStandard
Traction ControlNot AvailableNot Available
Stability ControlNot AvailableNot Available
Blind Spot MonitorStandardStandard
Cross-Traffic AlertStandardStandard
Lane Keeping AssistStandardStandard
Tire Pressure MonitorStandardStandard
Lane Departure WarningStandardStandard
Airbags
Knee Air BagNot AvailableNot Available
Driver Air BagStandardStandard
Seatbelt Air BagNot AvailableNot Available
Passenger Air BagStandardStandard
Rear Head Air BagStandardStandard
Rear Side Air BagNot AvailableStandard
Front Head Air BagStandardStandard
Front Side Air BagStandardStandard
Warranty
Basic4 Years / 50,000 Miles4 Years / 50,000 Miles
Corrosion4 Years / 50,000 Miles4 Years / 50,000 Miles
Drivetrain6 Years / 70,000 Miles6 Years / 70,000 Miles
Maintenance1 Year/1 Visit1 Year/1 Visit
Roadside Assistance6 Years / 70,000 Miles6 Years / 70,000 Miles