The CT4 is an excellent premium small car. While it doesn’t receive the same praise for performance as some of its competitors, it holds its own with controlled driving characteristics and an intriguing selection of engine options. And, when equipped with the standard engine, fuel efficiency is above average for the class.
On the interior, things are a little less rosy: while the infotainment system is user-friendly, the touch screen is a little tiny. For a car in this class, the overall quality is a touch underwhelming, and both the back seats and trunk are tiny.
Major Changes Over The Years
The following are the major changes to the Cadillac CT4 throughout its existence:
- 2022: CT4-V Blackwing trim debuts, Super Cruise availability expands, and several new features become standard.
- 2021: forward collision warning and forward automatic emergency braking are made standard; Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have wireless capability; and Super Cruise, a surround-view parking camera system, and a digital instrument cluster are made available.
- 2020: a completely new model.
Engine
The Used Cadillac CT4 is equipped with a 237-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine standard. It scoots you about with minimal effort and assists in gratifying acceleration when paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
It is another turbo-four option, one which has a 2.7-liter engine that produces 310 or 325 horsepower depending on the model. This update feels more powerful, but the 10-speed automatic gearbox with which it pairs receives mixed reviews. It typically offers smooth shifts, although it can seem unpolished at times as it seeks out the proper gear.
The high-performance CT4-V Blackwing is new for 2022. It’s a true compact sports car, with a 472-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 under the hood. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and the only way to acquire that sort of gearbox in a CT4; a 10-speed automatic transmission is also offered.
Cadillac boasts that the CT4-V Blackwing can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with an automatic gearbox and 4.1 seconds with a manual transmission. The top speed is listed at 189 mph.
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Ride and Handling
Cadillac expertly combines dynamic handling with a luxury ride. The CT4 is eager to attack corners, with quick steering and a little body roll. It also rides well over difficult terrain.
The CT4-V and Blackwing models include adjustable Magnetic Ride Control as well as additional suspension and brake upgrades that make them both more exciting to drive and more composed when settling down for a lengthy ride. Its steering is uncomfortably heavy, and its chassis struggles to transition from one rapid bend to the next. The 10-speed automatic gearbox has thumpy changes, and the engine stop-start mechanism is one of the loudest on the market.
Interior
The Cadillac CT4 is not just Cadillac’s most affordable vehicle, but also one of the most affordable in its class. When you go inside the cabin, both of those disparities become clear. There are some good materials throughout, but the overall quality is a step behind most competitors in this class.
There are a few things that could be improved that ruin an otherwise decent cabin. It’s easy to get in and out of the front seat, and there’s plenty of space inside. Even for a tiny car, the back seat is cramped. The ceiling is low, the sills are high, and the doors don’t open very wide. Taller passengers will not be able to sit comfortably in the rear for long, and they will most likely need to twist themselves to fit comfortably.
Other than that, the driver’s buttons and controls appear to have been placed wherever there was room, with little care given to making the experience pleasant or easy. More desirable amenities, like leather upholstery, magnesium paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, are available.
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The Cadillac User Experience touch-screen technology operates smoothly and is simple to learn. Menus are straightforward, and other tactile controls are just as simple to use. The CT4-V and Blackwing include a rotary knob on the center console that may also be used to manage the system; manual transmission Blackwing versions do not have the rotary knob.
The touch screen is a tad tiny when compared to competitors with larger screens or flashier graphics. A newly available, completely digital instrument cluster aids the CT4 in closing the gap with more high-tech competitors.
- Standard infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, wireless device charging, two USB ports, an eight-speaker stereo, satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hot spot
- Available infotainment features: navigation, a 14-speaker Bose premium stereo, and a 15-speaker AKG surround-sound stereo
- Additional standard features: remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and proximity keyless entry,
- Other available features: a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a sunroof, ambient interior lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, and cabin air ionization
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Fuel Economy
With its basic engine and conventional rear-wheel drive, the 2022 CT4 achieves excellent fuel efficiency for a premium compact vehicle. The EPA predicts 23 mpg in town and 34 mpg on the highway; with all-wheel drive, those figures decrease to 22 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the highway.
Depending on the horsepower level and transmission, fuel efficiency figures for the CT4 with the 2.7-liter engine range from 21/31 mpg city/highway to 20/28 mpg city/highway. The performance CT4-V Blackwing, unsurprisingly, is a lot less fuel-efficient: it scores 16/24 mpg with the automatic gearbox and 15/23 mpg with the manual.
Safety Features
Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode
Verdict
The CT4 sedan, which serves as the Cadillac brand’s starting point, offers a taste of the fun seen in its more costly and higher-performance siblings. Its quick handling and attractive styling also indicate that it is capable of competing with European compact-sedan competitors such as the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz A-class. The engine is either a 237-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.7-liter with 325-hp in top-spec V-Series trim. That model should not be confused with the faster CT4-V Blackwing, which we examine separately. The CT4’s interior materials and atmosphere fall short of those of luxury-branded competitors, which give a more premium appearance and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cadillac CT4 fast?
Cadillac claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds with the automatic transmission and 4.2 seconds with the manual transmission, a peak speed of 189 mph, and a 1/4 mile time of 12.14 seconds at 117 mph for the CT4.
Where was the CT4 built?
The Cadillac CT4 2022 is manufactured in Michigan by General Motors.
How long will the Cadillac CT4 last?
A Cadillac will typically last 200,000 miles with proper care and maintenance.
Is the Cadillac CT4 expensive to maintain?
During the first ten years of ownership, a Cadillac CT4 will cost around $9,161 in maintenance and repairs. This is $2,800 more than the industry average for premium car models. During that period, there is also a 27.02 percent risk that a CT4 may require extensive repairs. It is 12.54% better than comparable vehicles in this class.
