Last month, GM revealed the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V at a special event in Detroit. The reveal of the CT4-V marked the first time we’ve seen the new CT4 camo-free, though Cadillac didn’t show the regular, non-V version during the event. But we just managed to capture two “regular” Cadillac CT4 models running completely camouflage-free in Metro Detroit, giving us our first look at the C-segment luxury sedan.
CT4 Premium Luxury
The red car is the Cadillac CT4 in Premium Luxury, as evidenced by the bright grille accents in the grille, bright window trim and door handles, red tail lamp lenses, and bright multi-spoke wheels.
Meanwhile, the blue model is the Cadillac CT4 Sport, as per its black grille elements, blacked-out window trim, body-color door handles, clear taillight lenses, and sporty wheels with fewer spokes and a darker finish. There’s also a more aggressive lower fascia on the CT4 Sport.
CT4 Sport
Both the CT4 Sport and Premium Luxury are expected to be the higher-end trim levels of the CT4 model range. The entry-level model is expected to be the base Luxury trim, which is not pictured here since we have yet to see it.
Though not officially announced, we believe that these “base” Cadillac CT4 models will be powered by the new turbocharged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine that first made its debut in the 2019 Cadillac XT4, before making its way to the 2019 Cadillac CT6 (and before being deleted for the 2020 model year), along with the 2020 Cadillac CT5 and XT5 refresh. The boosted four is rated at 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The sole transmission expected to be available in the Cadillac CT4 is the new GM 10-speed automatic.
CT4 Premium Luxury
Underpinning the Cadillac CT4 is GM’s critically-acclaimed Alpha platform previously used on the Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CTS, and the current sixth-gen Chevrolet Camaro. In fact, the CT4 appears to be a very thorough re-skinning of the ATS, keeping its wheelbase, roofline, as well as other proportions/dimensions. The interior, however, is completely redesigned and is more along the lines of the cabin in the Cadillac CT5.
CT4 Sport
The higher-performance Cadillac CT4-V will feature the turbocharged 2.7L I-4 L3B making 320 horsepower. The boosted four will also be mated to the new ten-cog gearbox. A second, higher-performance variant of the Cadillac CT4-V is expected to show up later on in the model’s lifecycle as part of Cadillac’s new two-tier V-Series strategy. The model was previewed by what GM called the “next level” Cadillac CT4 prototype at the Belle Isle race track during the Detroit Grand Prix.
When it goes on sale in early 2020, the new Cadillac CT4 will take on other C-segment luxury cars, with the primary rivals being the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, and upcoming BMW 2 Series Gran Sport lines.
The Cadillac CT4 will be assembled at the GM Lansing Grand River plant for North America, and at the SAIC-GM Jinqiao Cadillac plant for China.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT4 news, Cadillac news, and ongoing GM news coverage.
Comments
Looking good so far. I’m excited to learn more about this one as I feel the styling is better than the CT5. Also looking forward to learning the price. But I like it so far.
I also think the styling on the CT4 is better than the styling on the CT5. They both have short rear sections but, because the CT4 is a smaller car, the proportions look better on the vehicle. The proportions of the CT5, with the stubby rear area, look odd.
LOL. @GrandAmGT:
My two “haters” that follow me on every comment and thumbs-down anything I say must have decided to also give you the same treatment. So funny, because I’ve purposely made comments that would never get a thumb-down, yet I get the same one or two. I couldn’t care less on mine (I just find it so petty), but why on earth would they give you a thumbs down?
Stop crying, get overyerself, and get with it.
What a pathetic half measure.
In blue; i like so much
I really hate to be so down on GM and Cadillac all the time but this doesn’t look like an all-new design. It looks like a refreshed ATS which was a product that wasn’t selling. I had high hopes for these JdN-era sedans but they are another disappointment. GM needed something radical to really get attention and make the statement that Cadillac is back. This is not what they needed. I doubt anyone will even notice that ATS has been replaced by “the first ever!” CT4.
JDN was constrained by GM’s finance division. If he had more flexibility these vehicles would have been so much better. At lease that’s what I believe
You’re down, but you shouldn’t be. Yes, the CT4 is a heavily-refreshed ATS, which is exactly what the doctor ordered.
The ATS’ problem was never the chassis or the styling. Instead, the ATS was held back by a powerful yet very crude/unrefined 2.0T LTG engine and a horrible 8-speed automatic transmission. Then there was a pretty decent but uncompetitive execution of the interior and exterior, unfriendly infotainment controls/UX and – more importantly – the overall vehicle positioning: it was the smallest car in the segment and had a very strange trim level structure that didn’t resonate with the modern luxury car buyer (no sport/luxury appearance differentiation). The CT4 solves all that, and more.
Let’s see here:
– New interior? Check.
– New infotainment controls? Check.
– New trim level structure Sport/Lux to make the car fully relevant to modern luxury car buyers and their tastes. BIG CHECK.
– New engine and transmission: Check.
– New interior features that the ATS sorely lacked (cooled/vented seats, attractive interior color options): Check.
There’s also fresh styling cues that make the car more of a looker, which the ATS already was… but the design changes seen here make the CT4 even more appealing.
More importantly, the CT4 is now totally repositioned into a lower size segment, to the point that it’s on the upper end of the size class. Meanwhile, the awesome Alpha chassis is present and accounted for on the CT4, as it was on the ATS. Not one potential customer ever complained about that on the ATS.
And now, the trim level structure also includes a more approachable CT4-V, which might not be exciting to us enthusiasts who want high-power beasts… but it’s very much relevant to those who are not track rats (the majority of luxury car buyers). And even better, a track-capable version of the CT4-V with more power is coming.
With all that said, this car almost got cancelled at some point during development… luckily, it wasn’t. And just like that, Cadillac has a very competitive entry into the ever-growing luxury car C-segment.
“attractive interior color options”
You can get any color you want, as long as it’s black. (This is what was said about the Ford Model T).
or tan…….but not a nice mix of tan and black or tan and brown……if you want tan, you get tan and nothing else (see Escalade).
You get black upper dash and doors (and carpet, I believe) on every Cadillac sedan and CUV except for a few Platinums. Cost cutting gone mad. I can’t imagine it helping sales in the Sunbelt. A trend I can’t wait to end.
There will be at least a black, gray, and beige… and I have reason to believe a red, as well.
I think that the CT4 will be a cut above the ATS in four significant ways:
(1) The ATS chassis, while providing an absolutely fantastic drive, is harsh and jarring on bumps. The Alpha II should address that.
(2) The 10-speed transmission should be a noticeable improvement.
(3) The infotainment system should be much better than CUE.
(4) The interior should be much improved at least over the base ATS.
(5) Super Cruise.
Still, the ATS has its charms. First of all, it’s a coupe, and is still one of the best looking cars on the road; save for the dated front end, which could have easily been corrected with an Escala-like refresh. The 3.6 V6 is a competent engine that produces 335 HP on regular gas, and it can be boosted to near 350 HP with the Catback exhaust system option ($1,650). The premium luxury interior is pretty nice, especially with either the Kona Brown and Morello Red leather ($1,295), though it is missing cooled seats. And you can even get a brake upgrade ($1,945). Sorry to see it go, but looking forward to the full CT4 reveal.
That rear end is from where I don’t know. I am at a loss. It will be color sensitive for sure. Front is nice.
They completely bungled the CT4.
Engine options are ridiculous. The new 2.0T is an ok base engine (assuming it’s really smoother, which remains to be seen), yet instead of a V6TT which would be competitive with the rest of the segment, they’ve made the optional engine a bigger four banger which will prove to be unrefined and miserable to rev in comparison to the competition’s turbo sixes.
It’s also beyond stupid to offer the MRC sport suspension only with RWD. The worst roads in the nation are in the snow belt states, which is where it’s impossible to find an ATS/CT4 with RWD and MRC, and why can’t they offer it with AWD, anyways? Thus for most of the US, there is no sporty CT4 available to buy that isn’t special order. Compounding the problem is that the MRC remains available only on the most expensive trim, ensuring most CT4 buyers will not be able to afford it. Meanwhile the competition offers adjustable damping as a standard feature (even the Civic Si has it).
Competitors take the “sport” in sport luxury seriously and Cadillac continues with the bait and switch of building a RWD MRC CT4 in a single trim configuration for the car magazines that will not be stocked by most dealerships.
You be you baby….it wouldn’t be the same around here if you didn’t hate every single thing GM did all the while voicing your opinion as if someone actually cared about what you had to say……
Don’t change for anyone!
Remember a few years ago when someone at Cadillac was quoted saying “We’ve solved the interior packaging of the ATS.”? Either they were lying or they decided it wasn’t worth it. CT4 looks like an ATS that had too much plastic surgery.
That rear end is from where I don’t know. I am at a loss. It will be color sensitive for sure. Front is nice.
I want the grille from the red car on the blue
Old ATS looks classy and elegant but this CT4 facelift is something like design nightmare. Too long horizontal lights are fugly and with cheap backlights ruins all. Interior (except small lcd display and absence of full digital clusters) is better than CT5. The main problem is small space inside and cheap look. Escala is crying a river…
Polar opposite here. As someone coming from an ATS, which I had for almost 4 years, I would be all over this CT4. Every element is improved upon.
The ATS needed some more horizontal lines, and it got them. It needed integrated exhaust and it got it. The interior is a major step up, and is very similar to that of the CT5… which is also pretty good. The lights are what make this car stand out, front and back.
The trim level structure is finally modernized and relevant. I see Escala in this… though not sure how relevant that is.
Alex, you are doing a superb reporting job here on the Cadillac. Don’t worry about the “haters” because they are like the Fox crying “Sour grapes!’ because they cannot even afford or do not deserve such a beautiful sedan!
A deal breaker for me if GM did not address the rock hard ride over any bumpy surfaces even with non RF tires, ingress and egress tight and passenger side seating really poor [wife comments and she rarely rides in the car] hope this new engine runs on reg gas, I have 67k on my base 2015, 37k on non RFs mostly hyway looking to buy new next year doubt it will be this car, as the ATS proved there are not enough performance enthusiasts to sustain adequate sales level for a vehicle that turns off average drivers. JMO
Are you talking about the coupe
Talking about the sedan, never had an interest in the coupe.
Since the first-gen CTS, each Cadillac has brought a level of excitement. I remember how much the second-gen CTS really pushed the envelop and represented stand-out styling and engineering inside and out. While I think Cadillac may achieve good sales numbers with the XT6, the styling isn’t pushing any envelops and I think the CT4 is following that trend.
I like the ats but the interior is what kept me out of it, this looks a bit better. I would like to see more wood but wonder what the price is. My thought is why didn’t they put this interior in the ats
There will be an option for wood on the CT4, similar to the trimmings of the CT5 Premium Luxury seen here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-cadillac-ct5/2020-cadillac-ct5-premium-luxury-interior-2019-new-york-international-auto-show-005-cockpit.jpg
That’s not the CT4. That’s the new 2021 Escalade!
hahah that was nice))
Better watch out! Millions of people were misled into thinking this is the Escalade! Quick, start the Alex Luft smear campaign!
Alex, we all worship you in our own ways. But only God is infallible.
No one can get it right 100% of the time. Especially when GM feeds you misinformation.
Amen to that, brother.
Where is your article???
This train does not run on your schedule.
Then don’t give a schedule like you did, and complain when people ask to see the article. More lies and misinformation Alex
With any new model today you really need to see them in person first.
This should do fine as no one will mistake the styling as anything but Cadillac. It is tasteful and not over done.
The real key will be the materials inside and the details. Is the inside as good or better than the competitors? Is the technology finally sorted? When you shut the door does it sound like a Cadillac and not a Chevy?
We know the chassis was good so this should only be better.
Market it right and gain ground on recovering the image.
One model and one year will not undo decades of damage. But ground gained with each and every model will add up to the change over time.
I think Super Cruise is going to be a big selling point for both the CT4/5. It has been very well received, with basically the only complaint is that it’s expensive to get. These cars should fix that.
Plus, I think the interior looks plenty nice, especially in the image shown above.
The talking heads who have driven the pre-production CT4 have said the car reminded of Cadillac’s current ATS which is to be expected as like the next generation Chevrolet Camaro, the CT4 is built using underpinnings from GM’s Alpha chassis.
Its a great car for the C segment. I’d take it over the fwd based A-class anyday.
I’m not seeing Cadillac’s new (torque) badges on the back?
Also, as a designer, I don’t like the blue sport’s little AWD badge sitting that far away from the CT4 badge.
It looks lonely, and it’s just kind of floating in a massive empty space-Lol.
I’m not sure yet how I feel about the design of the rear. I like that it has some depth and character, but it looks
just a little chunky and “heavy” to my eyes. Will reserve judgment when I see one in the flesh/metal.
Yawn. I am so old I remember when Caddilac was an aspirational car and CNN was a news network. The GM marketing department killed it with ads suggesting anyone could buy it with low monthly payment. Who would “aspire” to a cheap transportion car? Answer: no one.
Yes so unlike all the other $399/mo nothing down C class, 3 series, IS, A4 and all the other cheap trash fake luxury cars that litter the Target parking lot……
Much better proportions than the CT5… The trunk lid however seems like an “afterthought”…
Yes, there’s so much plain paint, but at least it’s all one piece, unlike the ATS’s. It may look different in real life.
One can almost imagine reading of how someone shoehorned a 650 hp LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 into their CT4 and clocking some wild numbers.
Good luck ? with that
I think the Premium Luxury trim for this car is very attractive. The Escala-style mesh really improves the way the front end looks. This grille pattern is especially striking in late afternoon to sunset from what I’ve seen in person. The Sport trim, while a solid effort in terms of differentiation, just doesn’t have the same presence as the Premium Luxury does. Just my opinion though. My only quibbles with this car’s exterior are the old door handles and the rear trunk lid design. I find the old ATS, CT5, and CT6 rear end designs to look more elegant. In general I’m not a fan of license plates being located on the bumper, I feel it looks more premium to have it on the trunk lid like on the CT5. I think the door handles should have been a close match, if not identical to what the CT5 offers, since they are more sleek and modern looking. Now, I will hold back my thoughts on the interior and powertrain until I’ve sat in one and driven it. I’m thinking a Stellar Black P-Lux model could be a looker from what I see so far.
What the heck is with the rear of the vehicle? It just looks odd to me.
Micheal Simcoe is what’s up with the rear of the vehicle.
He’s going to drive GM to bankruptcy again.
Retains too much ATS…pass
I don’t like the chrome trim on the red model. The blue looks better.
The CT4 is a good looking car except for the back, where it gets kind of weird.
It seems to check all the boxes. Unless they screw up the pricing, I think it will outsell the Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50, but not the BMW 3 Series.
The news of the ATS being replaced by a smaller vehicle that would come to be known as the CT4 and basically it’s a re-skinned ATS. Pfft!
So let me make sure I understand, I suppose based not so much size but more so pricing this is supposed to be considered competing against the A3 and CLA!!?? Just wondering how compelling this vehicle will prove to be as an alternative to the aforementioned models. Will the buying public still consider it an A4 and 3 Series competitor with too little rear seat room or consider that they are getting more car for the money over A3 and CLA? Hmmm?
I don’t know but I’m just not drinking the Kool Aid. The CT5 is nearly 9 inches longer than 3 series but within 1 or 2 inches in all dimensions of the 5 series. Again it must be the pricing because visuals and dimensions say CT5 is a 5 series competitor.
Lastly, the exterior styling of the CT4 is waaaaaay more successful than the CT5.
But Cadillac has done a clunky job of introducing its upcoming lineup and or tarnishing the brand’s market perception:
– CT6 is going away after 2 model years. Oh wait, no it isn’t. We reported wrong.
– Surprise announcement of V series models only for them to not be worth the hype. Womp Womp!
– CT5 has some cool exterior design features but cohesively and in the overall it’s not a particularly attractive or compelling vehicle.
– An unmistakable signature interior design theme is missing. It’s generic upmarket at best.
– XT6 – I suppose it’ll sell but it’s underwhelming in all aspects upon first impression.
In the overall, save for the Camaro and upcoming mid engine Vette, GM’s current lineup is a big ol’ YAWN SNORE!!
YES! Really the only GM car that beats anything in the market is the C8, and they’ll probably screw it up at launch by pricing it too high or having Pinto reliability.
I still don’t understand why are the CT4V and CT5V’s are called Vs instead of V sports
Johan was excited about this? The German was blowing smoke up peoples butt just like his overlord Mary Bara.
Where’s the stupid torque number badging??? Cadillac can’t even be consistent with their bad ideas. How can I trust them to execute the ‘good’ things? I try so very hard to get excited about Cadillac and the direction that they are going, but for me it’s the little things that make a luxury marquee. Consistency in luxury execution being chief among them .
I wonder how much different the back seat room is in the ct4 vs the ATS. I test drove the ATS and loved it but my sister and niece sat the back and complained about how uncomfortable the back seat was. I understand the ats was not a family sedan. Just curious.
I’ve seen these cars in traffic….been behind one in traffic around the Milford Proving Ground / Highland, Michigan area. Photos don’t do them justice. Should sell very well. Back end / Trunk lid does look a bit like an “Elephant Seal” (…Google it) at first look, but you get use to it. A solid powertrain and comfortable interior is all these need to do well.
The ATS is dead! Long live the ATS!
Here’s why I think this car will be as successful as the ATS and CTS sedans:
1) It’s a sedan and consumers want SUVs
2) The interior, specifically the dash, is really lackluster. I spend all of my time INSIDE the car. And we all know Cadillac will only sell the nice interior colors on the most expensive models, so most of these cars on the road will have ugly interiors.
3) To the average car buyer, the CT4 looks identical to the ATS. Nobody bought the ATS. By transitive property…
4) Stiff competition with a better track record of not discontinuing their models. I would buy a A3, BMW 2 or Merc A/CLA before this.
5) WHY should we buy it? Because it says Cadillac on the badge? This is my biggest question. WHAT DOES IT DO BETTER? Interior? No. Performance? No. Legacy? It’s new model. Being the only person on the road driving a Cadillac? Yes.
Go ahead and disagree with me. It’s ok to be wrong. But trends are indicative of future events, and I’m certain this has flop written all over it. Unless they sell it for $20k.
You nailed every point.
I think the CT4 looks fine, except for that black plastic strip at the top of the grille. It looks cheap and out of place. And why is it black even on the “luxury” trim?
Also yes, as you point out–nobody bought the ATS, and nobody minus 7% per quarter will buy this. I’m not saying it deserves that, just saying what I think the market will do. Cadillac (and GM) has got to get at the front of the game, not have their selling points be “hey we finally added features everybody else had 4 years ago!” I’m so hoping the Escalade interior is outstanding.
As a current ATS-V owner who bought the car new, I’d consider the upcoming higher output CT4-V if it at least stuck with the power the LF4 makes, used a 10-speed transmission, AWD, and most importantly, if GM doesn’t lock out aftermarket tuning as has been rumored. AWD 10-speed launch from an upgraded TTV6 would be satisfying enough to nullify any points lost in the looks department for me. Anything less though, and I’d be pretty content just keeping my car indefinitely.
Looks to me like Cadillac screwed up…the CT4 looks more expensive and more like a Cadillac than the CT5…Too bad !!!
My 2016 Buick Regal looks better.
Not that the Regal isn’t a good-looking car, but it doesn’t look “better” than the CT4 or the CT5. Not in a million years. But hey, it’s all subjective.
Personally, the ATS looked much better than this car. Especially the ATS-V. The only thing the ATS was missing was a 10-speed automatic transmission. Granted it would have been nice for Caddy to offer a higher output version with different turbos, exhaust and other things like AMG does with their AMG-S cars but the ATS was probably one of the best performance vehicles Cadillac had. Now granted the CTS-V family was the top of the line, i will never argue that, but the ATS-V was honestly really nice. But it is what it is. I’m not really feeling the new design on these cars. they don’t look right. To many mis-matched pieces.
As a previous owner of the ATS, I loved the way the ATS looks… but the CT4 is much-needed update to bring the car into the new era of modern automotive design, and it looks better.
The ATS was missing a lot more than a 10-speed transmission. It was missing things like ventilated seats, decent infotainment system controls, a clearly-differentiated trim level structure, and refinement with the 2.0L LTG. See my previous comment on the things the ATS shortcomings that the CT4 addresses/will address.
I am feeling this design, and would be all over one… if only it had launched sooner. I’d much rather buy this over an A Class or A3…
It is old ATS lady on very bad facelift operation. But threre are some complication. All new parts looks terrible. Inside it is very conservative – nothing for younger drivers which prefers colors and hi-tech technology. It is weird mix of old style with Escala like design (designed for chinese eyes). Escala is pure and elegant inside and out. This ugly too long horizontal lights something is disgusting. CT5 has better front and rear. The rest is better on CT4. GM please, bring real Escala even with huge display and liftback to life!
Speaking of “if only it had launched sooner,” when is the CT4 going to have a formal debut, options list, and pricing? It seems to be taking a very long time. It remains curious that they revealed the V first, and that was nearly 90 days ago. And concerning the V reveal, the photo renderings of the interior accompanying Sam McEachern’s article on May 30 show a rotary control knob on the console, but the photos at the actual unveiling that day reveal a console without a knob. So is the CT4 going to have a control knob or not?
The good news is, it doesn’t have the unconventional, and in my opinion, ugly C-pillar treatment from the CT5. The bad news is, that trunk lid and rear end.
It looks so much better with the bright work.
I like the front end a lot, but what’s with the black pieces between the headlights and the grille? The “V” have it as well. The black trim above the chrome grille better be a pre-production part.
The side profile is elegant and I like the Escala inspired crease at the bottom. The DLOs are still traceable to the ATS though.
The rear is where everything falls apart. The trunk, taillights and bumper are all terrible … Reminds me of the facelifted XTS & not in a good way.
Mary Barra issued the following memo: Cadillac, for the new millenium, please make all designs as boring as putrid as possible. They need to match my wardrobe style. That is all.
why oh why is GM playing with puff pack fours? the engines have impressive figures but thats not real world stuff. GM doesn’t build the engines to run at these magical figures. the pistons are cast not forged. cast pistons fail when pushed hard. to get the magical figure you have to push the engine hard. blown pistons anyone? Mercedes is using larger capacity engines and meeting European emission standard in real world driving. puff pack fours don’t meet emission standards in real world driving. VW can attest to this.
All these new cadillacs will fail if they continue with the whole half-black, half-color interiors. It’s like they are too cheap to make separate part numbers for the interior trim pieces, and as a result you have these bizarre looking interiors with a black headliner, black pillars, black upper dash and steering wheel, but the seats and some random parts of the dash are brown.
This is what separates first-tier luxury from second-tier luxury–being willing to make each interior color option a true complete package. Every trim piece should be color coordinated and there really shouldn’t be any black on the inside of a car with a tan interior. Each color option should have different part numbers for every piece that you touch or see. Yes I know it’s slightly more expensive. It’s a CADILLAC.
Nice Pontiac G6.
I didn’t think the rear ends could get any uglier, but they managed to do just that with the CT4. It looks like someone ran into it.
Seriously, this would make a nice small Chevy. Let Cadillac stick to making large , luxury cars.
Meanwhile
For 2020, nearly every Mercedes-Benz SUV is all-new or significantly refreshed, including the new GLE, redesigned GLC SUV and Coupe family, new GLS and all- new GLB.
Mercedes-Benz continues to offer the widest selection of SUVs in the luxury category, and the significant enhancements to all SUV models further emphasize their appeal.
GLE 350 4MATIC / GLE 450 4MATIC (all-new) Launched Spring 2019
GLE 350 (all-new) Summer 2019
AMG GT Coupe and Roadster (redesign) Summer 2019
AMG GT C Coupe and Roadster (redesign) Summer 2019
AMG GT R Coupe (redesign) Summer 2019
AMG GT R Roadster (all-new) Fall 2019
AMG GT R PRO (all-new) Late 2019
GLE 580 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019
GLS 450 4MATIC / GLS 580 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019
GLC 300 / GLC 300 4MATIC SUV & Coupe (redesign) Late 2019
AMG GLC 63 SUV & Coupe (redesign) Late 2019
CLA 250 / CLA 250 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019
AMG CLA 35 (all-new) Late 2019
AMG CLA 45 (all-new) Late 2019
GLB 250 / GLB 350 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019
EQC 400 4MATIC (all-new) 2020
AMG A 35 Sedan (all-new) 2020