2021 Cadillac CT5

The starting price of under $40,000 makes the 2021 Cadillac CT5 a great value for money option against its competitors. The 2021 Cadillac CT5 comes powered with a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine and a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine is optional in the higher trims. 

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 comes with more standard features across the trims. It makes the base Luxury trim a decent option, but we suggest going for the Premium Luxury trim. The Premium Luxury trim has more standard features so that you do not have to invest in optional features. It also opens the door for the more powerful 3.0L twin-turbo V6 powertrain option.

The features on the base Luxury trim are very limited and even lack some of the basic features. You need to rely on the add-on packages for those features. The Premium Luxury trim offers the most features as standard, so you do not have to worry about the extra packages.

Which trim should you buy?

The Premium Luxury trim is worth an upgrade from the Luxury trim as it offers more standard features. The Sport trim though is very hard to recommend, as the standard feature list is lesser. It comes with various optional features which add up to the total cost, and you start to get better options at that price point in the segment.

The standard engine that powers the 2021 Cadillac CT5 is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The engine produces a very decent 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, The engine is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission which sends the power to the front wheels. The option for a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 which produces 360 hp of power is also available. AWD drivetrain is also available as an option. 

The standard 2.0-liter engine gets the job done, but if you’re looking for serious performance, then that should not be the engine of the choice. The 3.0-liter engine is the option to go for if you care even a little about the performance. The standard engine offers decent performance lower down the rev range for daily city drives, but it never excites you at any point. 

The Cadillac CT5 is at power with the competition in acceleration timings. The top speed is also impressive compared to the competition. All the cars in this segment come with multiple engine options, that is why a single performance comparison can not be enough. We have compared the standard engine available in the car, and Kia Stinger impresses pretty well with its performance. The 2021 Cadillac CT5 is not far behind though. 

How well does the 2021 Cadillac CT5 handle?

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 performs very decently when it comes to handling. The handling response is not meant for enthusiasts. The previous models had better handling performance than the 2021 Cadillac CT5. The car is best for relaxed driving, and the standard 2.0L engine also supports the fact. Even if you go for the more powerful 3.0-liter V6 engine, the dynamics of the car will not change. The acceleration improves, but the CT5 is always hesitant to go hard on corners. Although the steering wheel is fairly accurate, it doesn’t provide any feedback as such.

The ride quality on the 2021 Cadillac CT5 is pretty good, but the competition offers better suspension in the segment. The body roll is well controlled in the car, and you do not float at a higher speed. The suspension is neither too soft nor too firm. It gets the job done pretty well. The high-speed stability is also pretty good. To sum it up, the ride quality is very balanced and it does not outperform the competition in any specific area.

How good is the braking performance of the 2021 Cadillac CT5?

The braking performance is okayish on the 2021 Cadillac CT5. There is a lot of room for improvement in the braking department. Even the heavier cars in the segment are significantly ahead in braking performance. The brakes are good enough for daily drives, and also offer a positive bite from the pedal. The only area where it needs improvement is the braking distance.

The 2021 Lexus ES is the lightest of the lot and leaves the condition way behind in stopping distance. It takes only 110-ft to come to a halt from 60 mph. The Volvo S60 comes second with a stopping distance of 127-ft, followed by Kia Stinger at number three from the same speed. The 2021 Cadillac CT5 comes last in the comparison.

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 stands neck-to-neck with the competition in terms of fuel economy. It manages to deliver 22 mpg in the city, 32 on the highway, and you can expect a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. The thing that goes in the favor of the Cadillac CT5 is that it offers the largest fuel tank in the comparison. You get the longest range with its massive 17-liter fuel tank. The fuel economy will have a little dip in the AWD drivetrain as these figures are for the standard FWD drivetrain. 

The Cadillac outruns all its competitors when it comes to the range. Lexus and Volvo are at power as they claim pretty much the same fuel economy, and both come with the same size 15.9 gallons fuel tank. The Kia Stinger comes at the last position here in the comparison. 

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 has focused to keep the interior simple but stylish. Every feature in the cabin is more user-friendly than the earlier models. The use of wood inside the cabin of the Premium Luxury trim gives the sedan a premium look. Cadillac has used some cheap quality plastics on the dashboard, and other areas in the cabin, which takes away from the feel of a luxury sedan. The overall space inside the cabin is pretty good, and the rear seats are also spacious and comfortable. Cadillac has also addressed the ergonomic issues in the 2021 model.

The interior of the 2021 Cadillac CT5 feels young, and the features are more usable with the newer model. The use of cheap plastics inside the interior is a setback for the segment. Although there is not much to complain about in the space department in the 2021 Cadillac CT5, the Lexus ES and Volvo S60 feel more spacious in the rear seat. The 2021 Cadillac CT5’s standout interior features:

• Better ergonomics in the interior.
• Good cabin space in front and rear rows.
• Dual panoramic sunroof.
• Dual-zone automatic climate control.
• 8-way power-adjustable driver seats with memory function.
• Heated steering wheel

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2021 Cadillac CT5?

The Cadillac CT5 has taken care of your entertainment needs very well inside the cabin. The infotainment system features a massive 10-inch touchscreen system with an anti-glare display. The screen is fairly bright and you do have to struggle for visibility in direct sunlight. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the trims, so connecting your phone is never an issue. Cadillac has provided a rotary knob near the gear selector for the touchscreen controls, which makes it very easy to control the screen.

The infotainment system features an eight-speaker system by Bose for audio. There is also an option for a better 12-speaker audio system which sounds even better. The option for a heads-up display is also there to make the drive safer, as you get all the important information while looking at the road. Here are some of the stand out features of the 2021 Cadillac CT5 infotainment system:

• 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with anti-glare display
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Heads up display
• 8-speaker Bose sound system and option for 12 speakers surround sound system
• Wireless charging pad
• Voice recognition
• Keyless entry
• Near-field Bluetooth connectivity 

The Cadillac looks like a proper sports sedan from the outside. On the front, the car looks very proportionate with the sharp cuts running perfectly over it. The daytime running LEDs and LED headlights feature adds up to the overall front styling. On the side, the 18-inch alloy wheels grab the attention very well. 

The rear of the car is raised a bit which looks very attractive from the side. On the rear, the styling is very subtle, and the twin exhaust looks pretty good. Features like automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers are standard across the variants. More features can be added from the available optional features in the packages. 

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 has the longest wheelbase, and it is also the widest car in the comparison. Maneuvering the car is not a very big challenge even in city traffic. The Kia Stinger feels the most compact in the segment and is the best option for city driving. None of the cars get uncomfortable while maneuvering in the city. Here are some of the exterior features in the 2021 Cadillac CT5:

• Automatic headlights
• Rain sensing wipers
• Cornering headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• 18-inch alloy wheels

The NHTSA has given the 2021 Cadillac CT5 a five-star rating in all aspects for safety. Cadillac has put a lot of focus on the safety department here, and you notice that as soon as you get in the vehicle. The build quality of the sedan is not compromised at all, and it gives tough competition to all the other cars in the segment for safety. 

Safety features like Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and Emergency Braking are standard across the trims. More safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround View, and Automatic Park Assist can be added with the available safety package. Here are all the available safety features with the 2021 Cadillac CT5:

• Standard HD rear vision camera
• Standard teen driver
• Standard pedestrian braking
• Standard forward-collision alert
• Standard emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• General Motors’ Super Cruise level 2 autonomous driving

2021 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Lexus ES

The 2021 Lexus ES gives tough competition to the 2021 Cadillac CT5 as it offers a smoother driving experience and a more premium interior quality. The base engine on the Cadillac 2021 also feels underpowered compared to the Lexus ES. None of the sedans are made for an enthusiastic driving experience, and the Lexus ES offers a more comfortable ride quality. Although the 2021 Cadillac CT5 has many standard and optional safety features, the Lexus ES has more standard safety features. However, the infotainment system on the 2021 Cadillac CT5 is better compared to the Lexus ES. 

2021 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Kia Stinger

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 has larger dimensions compared to the 2021 Kia Stinger in every aspect. That means you have more space inside the 2021 Cadillac CT5 than the Kia Stinger. The Kia Stinger has better driving dynamics than the Cadillac, and it also comes with a more responsive engine as standard. The interior of both the cars has room for improvement, and the competition offers better interior quality. The 2021 Kia Stinger is a better option for people who love driving. Cadillac offers better fuel economy and a larger fuel tank resulting in a longer range for long-distance journeys. The 2021 Cadillac is a better pick for interior space.

2021 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Volvo S60 Inscription

The 2021 Volvo S60 Inscription has better interior quality than the 2021 Cadillac CT5. The base engine on the Volvo S60 Inscription offers pretty much the same performance as the Cadillac. The acceleration is very lazy and the power feels less for the car. If we talk about comfort, then Volvo offers better comfort than the Cadillac. The seats are more comfortable, and suspension is also better to soak up all the undulations on the road. Volvo S60 becomes a better package with better comfort and more premium interior quality. The infotainment system on the Volvo S60 Inscription lacks behind the system on the 2021 Cadillac CT5.

The 2021 Cadillac CT5 is not very ahead of its competitors in any aspect. It provides decent comfort, good space in the cabin, fairly comfortable ride quality, and good overall styling front the outside. It is not the right choice for people who love to drive. If we combine everything, then the 2021 Cadillac CT5 comes as a good overall package. It gives good value for the money, especially the premium luxury trim is a good choice from a value perspective.