2022 Cadillac CT4

The CT4 cuts a traditional three-box profile rather than the fastback shape of the larger CT5. Headlights with vertical and horizontal elements provide a Cadillac signature look up front complemented by a well-integrated trapezoidal grille. A character line rises from the headlights to the rear spoiler, providing a rake that gives the car a sense of forward motion. At the rear, vertical taillights also have a small horizontal element. The trunk shape echoes the front grille, and dual or quad exhaust tips sit below.

Additional cooling gives the CT4-V Blackwing a sportier look with a mesh grille and larger front air intakes. A rear diffuser balances the standard aero, and a pair of carbon-fiber packages highlight the car’s performance intent. 

Inside, the CT4 comes off as plain, other than the more highly decorated CT4-V Blackwing, which looks especially good with two-tone leather upholstery. While the small-diameter steering wheel looks sporty, the dash design lacks imagination. It is functional, though, as the controls are well placed and the 8.0-inch touchscreen rises from the middle where it’s easy to access.

It’s optional for all but the CT4-V Blackwing, which only comes with rear-wheel drive. 

How fast is the Cadillac CT4?

That depends on how much you spend, but no CT4 is slow. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and is teamed with an 8-speed automatic. We haven’t tested this engine in the CT4, but it’s been frisky in other GM products we’ve tried.

Buyers can move up to a 2.7-liter turbo-4 that produces 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque in the Premium Luxury model and 325 hp and 380 lb-ft in the CT4-V. While it’s a strong engine, its coarseness, especially at low rpm, makes it unappealing for daily driving. It does work well with its alert 10-speed automatic to provide ready power when requested by your right foot. It moves the CT4-V to 60 mph from a stop in 5.1 seconds.

The real fun comes at the top of the lineup, where a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 spins up 472 hp and 445 lb-ft to launch the CT4-V Blackwing from 0-60 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds. More refined than the 2.7-liter, it’s fun to tap into this engine’s power at any rev range, especially with the available 6-speed manual to go with the 10-speed auto. The manual offers downshift rev matching and no-lift shifts as part of a great bag of track-driving tricks.

Cadillac bases the CT4 on its stiff and balanced Alpha II chassis shared with the CT5 and Chevy Camaro. Handling is agile in any model, but the CT4-V goes several steps further with magnetic dampers that balance ride quality with handling prowess, big brakes, lots of cooling, and available aero packages to keep it stuck to racetracks. Add in excellent steering feel, and the CT4-V Blackwing is one of the last great-handling gas-powered sport sedans before the move to electric propulsion. Buyers of the base CT4-V can also get the magnetic dampers, though the rest of the track goodies aren’t available.

In back, occupants will struggle for leg room and the sleek roof line can cut into head room for taller folks. The trunk is small at less than 11 cubic feet. 

Cadillac adorns the cabin with some well chosen padded surfaces, though it would benefit from some higher-end trim options. The Blackwing gets that treatment with carbon-fiber trim and some good-looking two-tone leathers.

Standard safety features on the 2022 Cadillac CT4 include automatic emergency braking (it works under 50 mph on the base model and at all speeds on all other models), blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, active lane control, rear park assist, automatic high beams, and a rear-seat reminder. All other models get front parking sensors and reverse automatic braking. Also offered are a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and Cadillac’s Super Cruise system that allows hands-free driving on some highways.

Standard equipment on the $34,840 CT4 Luxury includes synthetic leather upholstery, 12-way driver and 8-way passenger power-adjustable front seats, an 8.0-inch center touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, satellite radio, a wi-fi hotspot, wireless smartphone charging, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Which Cadillac CT4 should I buy?

The $39,740 CT4 Premium Luxury gets many features buyers would want, including more safety features. It adds leather upholstery, ambient lighting, 14-way power front seats, and 18-inch wheels. We’d spring for all-wheel drive as well to bring the total to $42,915.

The CT4’s warranty is average at four years or 50,000 miles.

How much is a fully loaded 2021 Cadillac CT4?

The CT4-V Blackwing starts at $59,990 and options can push it beyond $70,000. It comes with bigger Brembo brakes, magnetic dampers, sport seats, and 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires.

With the available 2.7-liter turbo-4, the ratings fall to 22/31/26 mpg with rear-wheel drive, and 21/29/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. The CT4-V has a higher-power version of the 2.7-liter and it is rated at 20/29/23 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 20/28/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. 

At the top of the lineup, the CT4-V Blackwing gets 16/24/19 mpg with the 10-speed automatic transmission and 15/23/18 mpg with the 6-speed manual. 

Every CT4 model uses premium fuel.