2020 Cadillac CT4

Overview

Serving as the new entry-point to General Motors' most prestigious brand, the 2020 Cadillac CT4 has the unenviable job of attracting first-time luxury buyers away from established German carmakers such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The sharply-styled CT4 takes over for the now-dead ATS coupe and sedan, but its angular exterior design, tight cabin, and playful handling make it a worthy replacement. The top-spec CT4-V model is Cadillac's way of renewing its commitment to enthusiast drivers, but it's not the spiritual successor to the muscled-up ATS-V. That job now belongs to the CT4-V Blackwing, which we review separately. Need more space for family or cargo? Check out the larger CT5 sedan, which offers a similar driving experience with a roomier cabin.

What's New for 2020?

Although it shares basic underpinnings with the outgoing ATS, the CT4 is a new model and new nameplate for the Cadillac brand.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Buyers can choose between two turbocharged four-cylinder engines: A 237-hp 2.0-liter powers the base Luxury and mid-range Premium Luxury and Sport models, while a 2.7-liter is optional in the Premium Luxury and standard in the CT4-V. It makes 309-hp in the former and 325-hp in the latter. The smaller of the two engines is paired to an eight-speed automatic while the larger four-banger gets a 10-speed. Rear-wheel drive is the standard arrangement, while rivals such as the Audi A3, BMW 2-series Gran Coupe, and Mercedes A-class are all based on front-drive chassis. The CT4 offers all-wheel drive on all models as an option. We've only driven the CT4-V so far, but we found it to be athletic, eager, and quick, although we would have preferred more refinement from the 10-speed gearbox. Even in this most-sporting guise, the CT4's suspension is compliant enough to handle potholes and cracked pavement without punishing occupants, while still delivering sharp, rewarding handling that a car enthusiast can appreciate. We'll see if the other models are just as capable as soon as we can test-drive them.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Both of the CT4's turbocharged four-cylinder engines provide decent fuel economy. Rear-wheel drive models with the 2.0-liter are rated as high at 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive drops the highway number by 2 mpg and the combined number by 1. The more powerful 2.7-liter engine is less efficient, although not by much, with the rear-wheel drive model coming in at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CT4's key rivals—the Audi A3, the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz A-class—all provide similar fuel economy ratings.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside the CT4, Cadillac has wisely switched to a more user-friendly controls versus the largely touch-sensitive interface found on the ATS. Although the interior design and the quality of the materials at first appear attractive, they are ultimately unremarkable. Cabin space is tight for adults, especially in the rear seats, but Cadillac makes several luxury features standard even on the base trim, including 12-way power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Moving up through the range provides more desirable features, such as leather upholstery, magnesium paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver's seat and exterior mirrors.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

All CT4 models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Cadillac's latest CUE software interface. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard features; navigation is optional on all models and is bundled with a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 14-speaker Bose premium stereo system that replaces the car's standard eight-speaker arrangement.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The CT4 is so new that neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have completed and published its crash test results. Cadillac offers a host of driver-assistance features but none are offered as standard, a curiosity given mainstream small cars such as the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda 3 offer such features gratis. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Cadillac outdoes its rivals with two more years and 20,000 more miles of coverage on the powertrain part of its warranty, but buyers of the 2-series Gran Coupe are treated to three years of complimentary maintenance whereas the CT4 only offers one free visit.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered the first visit

More Features and Specs