The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Powerful turbo engines
- Slick automatic gearboxes
- Stellar Blackwing
- Good tech
- Reasonable pricing
Dislikes
- Dull cabin
- Tight back seat
- 2.7-liter turbo-4 lacks refinement
- Itty bitty trunk
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2025 CT4 is a hoot to drive in any form. Buy one while you can before Cadillac goes all-EV or all-SUV, whichever comes first.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Cadillac CT4? What does it compare to?
The 2025 CT4 is a compact sports sedan that compares well to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, as well as the Audi A4.
Is the 2025 Cadillac CT4 a good car?
It’s a strong contender for compact sports sedan buyers thanks to its spectacular ride-and-handling balance as well as its up-to-date interior tech. The CT4 rates a 5.6 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Cadillac CT4?
Not much, aside from a few new paint colors.
The tautly styled CT4 is Detroit’s take on a compact performance sedan, and in many ways it’s at the top of its game.
The CT4 wears unobtrusive, three-box styling with a few angles to liven things up. Even then, it really takes stepping up to the Blackwing—if you dare—to unlock anything resembling adventurous styling. Those sedans have big wheels, extra intakes, and other flourishes that make them look like the performance sedans that they are.
And what a performance envelope the CT4 range offers. The standard 2.0-liter turbo-4 provides good enough acceleration for most drivers, while the available 2.7-liter turbo-4 delivers a notable upgrade in terms of thrust. Neither is quite as sewing machine-smooth as what you’ll find in the BMW 3-Series. However, the 8-speed automatic transmission in the base version and the 10-speed automatic in the 2.7-liter behave so well that we can overlook a little too much underhood thrum.
The CT4-V thrums out 325 hp from the bigger turbo-4, making it a fantastic choice for spirited drivers. Better yet—but perhaps a bit too raucous for normal commuting—is the CT4-V Blackwing with its twin-turbo V6- that belts out 472 hp via either a 6-speed manual with downshift rev-matching or a 10-speed automatic. It’s a track-ready choice.
Fuel economy isn’t the CT4’s forte. Models with 4-cylinder power are estimated at 23 to 27 mpg combined, while the Blackwing gulps down premium at a rate of just 18 mpg combined.
The CT4’s cabin is good up front but decidedly tight in row two, where there’s limited legroom. Interior finishes are just fine, even when dolled up with available carbon fiber or wood. The bite-size trunk is a disappointment.
Cadillac fits typical crash-avoidance tech to the CT4, but the big star here is the available Super Cruise system that allows for stints of hands-free driving on many mapped highways. It’s a fantastic system that can greatly reduce highway stress.
How much does the 2025 Cadillac CT4 cost?
The CT4 can be had for around $35,000 in base trim, though most models will run north of $40,000 once you’ve added real leather trim. The 8.0-inch touchscreen is nothing special, though it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Where is the 2025 Cadillac CT4 made?
In Lansing, Michigan.
2025 Cadillac CT4 Styling
The 2025 Cadillac CT4 is so conservative that it could be German.
Is the Cadillac CT4 a good-looking car?
It’s fine, but hardly a statement piece. The CT4 earns a point above average for its tailored exterior, but its interior is perfectly average. It’s a 6 on the TCC scale.
The CT4 follows three-box sedan convention in its profile, though a keen eye will find some styling delights like the broad grille surrounded by slim, tall headlights that snake their way into the fenders. The integration here is less sophisticated than in some other Cadillacs, but it’s at least a hint of visual flair. The look is echoed at the rear, though the big spoiler integrated into the trunk spoils the mood somewhat.
Blackwing versions have their own big air intakes, mesh grille, and rear diffuser, and they offer pricey but wild carbon fiber trim.
Inside, the cabin has an unimaginative, bland look, though it can be dressed up with two-tone leather upholstery and various trim options. The 8.0-inch screen sits in a small panel above the dash. It looks like it should be bigger, which contributes to a somewhat downscale mood overall.
2025 Cadillac CT4 Performance
The 2025 Cadillac CT4 offers balanced performance in any of its myriad configurations.
The CT4 is a delight to drive even at its entry point. We score it a 7 out of 10 thanks to good ride quality and acceleration, while CT4-V and CT4-V Blackwing versions would easily net another point or two for their more rapid acceleration and sharper handling.
Is the Cadillac CT4 4WD?
Turbo-4 models are available with all-wheel drive, though rear-wheel drive is standard. The Blackwing is RWD-only.
How fast is the Cadillac CT4?
It’s no slouch even in base form, where the 237-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission for good acceleration and a muted engine note. The uprated 2.7-liter turbo-4—available in 310- or 325-hp tunes—is noticeably quicker, but this big engine suffers from an unrefined feel. It thrums into the cabin and snarls when the skinny pedal is pushed. Its 10-speed automatic transmission is a graceful dance partner, though.
Then there’s the CT4-V Blackwing with its spectacular 3.6-liter V-6. With twin turbos, this engine belts out a hearty 472 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque to hit 60 mpg in just 3.9 seconds. Sure, German rivals offer way more power, but do you really need to go much faster than this?
All CT4 models have a good ride and nice steering weight. The CT4-V tosses in magnetic dampers to balance out its bigger wheels and shorter sidewalls. Blackwing versions are considerably stiffer, making them a bit rough for day-to-day commuting unless you live where roads are particularly nice. They’re track day-ready, though.
All have strong brakes that are easy to modulate.
2025 Cadillac CT4 Comfort & Quality
The 2025 CT4 doesn’t make for an ideal family car.
The smallest Cadillac sedan has a predictably tight interior. It’s more like a coupe in terms of its interior space, netting a 5 out of 10 on our scale. Its front seats are good and most materials are fine, but the trim trunk and confining back seat nudge it back to average.
Front-seat riders have supportive thrones with good power adjustment. V models have more side bolstering, so try before you buy if you have broad shoulders. Rear-seat riders will find decidedly limited room for two, let alone three. Even the door openings are small, which makes squeezing aboard a true challenge.
The CT4’s cabin can be draped in synthetic or real leather. Base versions aren’t dressy at all, but the automaker offers wood and carbon fiber options that dress things up reasonably well. Some competitors—the G70, for one—feel far more special inside, though.
The 10.7 cubic-foot trunk is very small.
2025 Cadillac CT4 Safety
The 2025 CT4 lacks crash-test data.
How safe is the Cadillac CT4?
We can’t say for certain since it has not been evaluated by the IIHS or the NHTSA.
Base cars have a simple automatic emergency braking system, though higher-end models have a full-speed system. All CT4s also have automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitors, rear parking sensors, and active lane control. Front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system are optional, as is the brand’s Super Cruise system that allows for stints of hands-free driving on many highways. If you’re a road warrior, it’s a feature worth seeking out.
2025 Cadillac CT4 Features
The 2025 Cadillac CT4 can be a very good performance sedan value.
Especially if you’re comparing the 2025 CT4 to myriad SUV options, it can come across as quite a bargain. The lineup kicks off around $36,000 for the base Luxury trim with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive costs an extra $2,000 where available. These models have power-adjustable front seats draped in synthetic leather, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, a wireless charging pad, and remote start. They’re backed by a luxury-typical 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.
Overall, they net a 7 out of 10 thanks to good infotainment software and a reasonable feature set.
Which Cadillac CT4 should I buy?
We suggest starting with the $41,000-or-so Premium Luxury, which lives up to its name with real leather trim, more adjustment for the front seats, rear parking sensors, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The more powerful turbo-4 adds about $5,000, though it includes a few additional features as well.
We’re less enthralled with the $42,000 Sport trim level. If you’re after performance, you might as well step up to the CT4-V for $48,500, which also has Brembo brakes.
How much is a fully loaded Cadillac CT4?
The CT4-V Blackwing costs $63,000 to start, or about $3,200 more with the 10-speed automatic transmission. It can easily top $70,000 with carbon fiber bits and a few other add-ons, but it’s still a pretty good overall value.
2025 Cadillac CT4 Fuel Economy
The 2025 Cadillac CT4 isn’t especially fuel-efficient.
Is the Cadillac CT4 good on gas?
It’s all right, but not as good as rivals with hybrid power.
The CT4 scores a 3 on the TCC scale. Based on 2024 EPA estimates, it should see as high as 23 mpg city, 34 highway, 27 combined with rear-wheel drive, or 26 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
Those with the upsized 2.7-liter turbo-4 slide to a reasonable 24 or 25 mpg combined, depending on the trim. Even the CT4-V isn’t bad at 23 mpg combined.
The Blackwing is a guzzler, though. Figure between 18 and 19 mpg combined, depending on the transmission.
All CT4s need premium fuel.
