2020 Cadillac CT4 Debuts With 237 HP 2.0L Turbo And RWD
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The 2020 Cadillac CT4 sedan has made its official debut, arriving with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive in base form.
General Motors describes the Cadillac CT4 as a vehicle that is “poised to appeal to a new generation of sport-luxury customers,” thanks to its “RWD proportions and an athletic design.” Like other vehicles in the Cadillac range, it will be offered in base-level Premium trim, along with upmarket Premium Luxury and Sport trims. The CT4-V performance model made it debut earlier this year and will eventually be joined by an even more performance-focused CT4-V Blackwing, as we reported previously.
The 2.0-liter base engine in the CT4 is from GM’s LSY four-cylinder line and makes 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. GM’s 2.7-liter four-cylinder L3B engine is also available on Premium Luxury models (in addition to V-Series) and produces 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter is paired with GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.7-liter is mated to a ten-speed. All-wheel drive is available on all models, while a drive mode select system with Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice and Track settings is standard. A customizable My Mode is also present in the drive select system, allowing users to pick their own settings for the transmission, suspension, steering, brake feel and, on all-wheel drive models, the front-rear power distribution.
Moving inside, an eight-inch touchscreen serves as the centerpiece of the cabin and is joined by a standard full-color digital driver’s display. Other standard interior features include keyless entry with push-button start, a leather wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, active noise cancellation, LED interior lighting and an HD rear vision camera. The CT4 also utilizes GM’s next-generation electric architecture as well, which enables over-the-air updates, better connectivity and superior security against cyber attacks.
Order books for the 2020 Cadillac CT4 will open later this year, GM says. It will be built at the automaker’s Lansing Grand River production facility in Michigan alongside the Cadillac CT5. Pricing and additional information will be announced closer to the start of regular production, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT4 news, Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Why did GM decide to use a Full Size Pickup Truck engine as the Premium engine for a so called Corporate Luxury Brand?
Why not just bump up the 2.0T like all the other German Auto Makers do?
Mercedes gets almost 400 HP from their Tuned 2.0T. I think BMW is at 350HP.
Do GM’s engineers not have the capability to do so? I seriously doubt that is the case. Is it because the Beancounters refuse to allow the spending on Cadillac that a Luxury Brand needs?
The 2.7 in a Cadillac (in my humble opinion) makes absolutely zero sense. None at all.
If you’re Audi, Mercedes, and BMW you have to be laughing at this correct? A Pickup engine in a small Luxury Sport Sedan?
Also, how is that a Mercedes A Class has almost the same if not more Trunk Space than the Bigger Cadillac CT5?
Did GM seriously just give up on Cadillac and are just throwing vehicles together from the Parts Bins?
Cadillac strategy is just confusing me. It’s a shame as I like Cadillac a lot and thought GM was going to go All In and bring them back to Tier One but it definitely did not.
Hopefully the Escalade will be Pure Fire.
Car engine this truck engine that, they are all GM engines period.
All I want is one that will be easy on fuel but will move the Cadillac vehicle I buy better than the averages GM blah vehicle.
I don’t care what GM made the engine for originally, they are all old ICE engines with turbos.
And in my opinion, right now, GM has the best most reliable engines in 2019 they have ever made, ever !!!
And in my opinion, right now, the 10 speeds are the smoothest GM transmission I have driven with in 13 years !!!!!
I respect your opinion but we are GM fans and we tend to overlook things like a “Truck Engine” in a so called Luxury Brand Sedan. Guess what though, the General Public does not.
Once word spreads throughout all the Media outlets and people talking around the Water Cooler that a Cadillac uses a “Truck Engine” people will just move on. Lets not even start on the Trunk Size Lol
So yeah I will stick to my Guns and say this is a ridiculous Beanounters decision yet once again by GM. They have an all new 2.0T but they won’t allow their engineers to fully develop it. It is insane to say the least.
Hopefully I am wrong and GM is correct about this. Would love to see how many if any conquest sales Cadillac will have on the CT4.
Based on the reviews of trucks with the 2.7T, the engine may be a ‘bright spot’ and produce some impressive 0-60 times. If it could move a >4900 lbs. truck to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds with an 8-spd. for C&D, it should do really well with about >25% less weight and the 10-spd. Motortrend’s review praises the throttle response, lack of turbo lag, and ample torque. Predicted complaints in the CT4: the 5700 rpm redline, and exhaust note (because GM seems to have trouble making anything smaller than a V6 sound good).
The real problem is that GM didn’t have enough foresight to promote this engine for the truck without assigning it a ‘truck engine’ designation. They worked so hard to overcome the stigma of ‘4-banger won’t work in a truck’ thinking that, as part of their official press release, they said, “The new 2.7L Turbo engine represents a clean-sheet design for Chevrolet and was developed from the outset as a truck engine.” When they said that in May 2018, they knew darned well that the engine would also end up as the upgrade engine in the *Cadillac* CT4. They could have just described how the engine was designed to provide great low-end torque and pulling power with great fuel economy, and stopped at that, but no… Despite the ‘truck engine’ design, this is probably forgotten and not considered by most truck shoppers.
The saving grace may be that most Cadillac shoppers have no idea what engines are available in trucks, but it’s sad that GM’s marketing/PR departments feel comfortable with assuming and relying on peoples’ ignorance for successful messaging. In the meantime, a lot of GM supporters feel a bit insulted, which is a shame because the product deserves better.
@Eric Nast
Exactly my point. GM was hellbent to let All the Media outlets and pretty much anyone that would listen that this 2.7T 4 Cylinder engine was designed specifically for Truck Duty and that it would hold up.
Under what circumstance (besides Beancounters running the show) does that engine have any reason at all to be in a Cadillac Sedan?
Not just any Cadillac Sedan, but the so called Small, Sporty, and Nimble Sedan for the Brand.
This is utterly ridiculous and I am floored anyone is even trying to defend what GM has done to the once glorious Cadillac Brand the last 20 years. It is shameful. This decision is shameful.
Let the engineers free to develop a high performance 2.0T specifically for the Brand.
Their only hope now is their upcoming EV’s better be better than Teslas or Cadillac is done as we know it.
Everyone can make excuses for GM but I am over it. I call it as I see it. The CT4 is a decent looking Sedan with a decent enough interior. If we are all honest, it is Basically an MCE of the ATS.
The trunk is tiny and we all here know about how great the 8 Speed Auto is. Why GM decided to stick with it is anyone’s guess but I think deep down inside we all know why.
For me personally, I was so excited when they hired Johan and then they wouldn’t let him do what he does best.
The XT4 is decent but nowhere near the competition
The XT5 MCE is a complete joke when it comes to a refresh (loot at Q7 for reference)
The XT6….where to even start. All I will say is Cadillac let Lincoln outshine them. Enough said
CT5 is a good looking car with an interior that would look nice in an Acura. Great Powertrains at least.
CT4 is a decent looking Sedan but extremely tight in the rear seat area with an even smaller trunk. The Base 2.0T is almost up to par with the competition but I feel the Pickup Truck Performance engine upgrade was a complete swing and miss by the General.
Our hopes now rely on the upcoming Slade and the promised EV. We shall see.
Something that was “…developed from the outset as a truck engine” does seem a little out of place in a car that is supposed to carry “…the [Cadillac] brand’s racing DNA for a dynamic, responsive and exhilarating driving experience.” At least they’re only putting the new 10-spd. behind this engine, and with an engine that redlines at 5700, they’ll need all the optimal gearing they can get!
In some ways, having the torque characteristics of a large, ‘stroker’ 4-cyl. in a car is an intriguing proposition. Unfortunately the ‘truck’ affiliation diminishes any notion of unique, exotic, or exclusive – all attributes that the Cadillac brand could use more of!
no one was laughing when they put a pickup engine and 6L80E in a sedan, in fact it reviewed quite well and is still popular to this day… that would be the Pontiac G8 GT
I think the dark color photo is not black, but one of the almost black colors, like Noir.
CT4 is really the next gen of ATS, regardless of what is said by Cadillac or the car critics.
Anyone who owns an ATS knows that. The base/Luxury may compete with those smaller cars on base price.
Car forum members are more particular/critical than the average car buyer. Dealers will stock more of the 2.0
because it keeps the cost down, so more can afford it.
Someone posted the prices for the CT5. When adding options to a CT5 Prem Lux to equal the CTS Luxury, the
CT5 is about $5,000 less. So the value appears to be better, comparing base to base or premium to premium.
This should carry over to the CT4, but maybe not as much difference.
Most people outside or forums won’t know the 2.7 engine is also in a truck.
It’s nice to want the features of the V’s, but you have to be able to pay for that stuff.
Since a de-tuned version of the 3.0TT from the CT5-V is available in either the CT5 premium luxury or sport, it is a bit surprising that the de=tuned 2.7 from the CT4-V is only available with the CT4’s premium luxury trim. It seems a bit odd for the luxury version to offer a more powerful engine and more sophisticated transmission than the sport version. I understand that a CT4 sport with the 2.7 and 10-speed would be very close in content to the CT4-V, but the same can be said of the CT5 sport with the 3.0TT and the CT5-V.
If it takes this long to figure out what car will have what, it changes every time I read this blog. These cars aren’t even out yet. We just have to wait and see what will be offered. What will the top tier C4 V offer? Anyone anyone?
I really want to like this car, but feel like it’s not up to par with competition.
Not as powerful as a Camry (barely in the CT4-V), not as high tech as a golf, looks are subjective.
I just don’t see the appeal. I really wanted to like this car as it could be a contender for the replacement for my current car, but there’s nothing about it that sets itself apart from anything else. Maybe supercruse in 2020, but 90% of the time I’d be in control of the car and it just doesn’t attract me.
Give me a bit more power, give me a digital dash, give me more cameras/tech. This is a great car if it was released in 2016. Part of me wonders if GM benchmarked this car back then while it was under development but then just forgot to keep up with the rest of the industry in the last couple years.
Its disappointing because I’m sure Cadillac can pull it off, they just failed to in this case.
The white sport model looks nice and those not thinking the 4 cylinder is not powerfull enough haven’t driven GM Turbo 2.0 engines. They can get up and go without issue. I have 2019 Terrain Denali with the 2.0t. And I tow with it. No problem getting up moving. it also faster than most other CUV’s in its class.
Some of us have driven GM 2.0T engines.
ATS – Cadillac
XT4 – Cadillac
I never did say the 2.0T wasn’t good enough for a Chevrolet or a GMC, or a Buick !!
I just keep saying that the GM 2.0T engine is just not good enough for a Cadillac !!
No matter how small the vehicle !!
Its a Cadillac, and Cadillac used to mean the best longest lasting most reliable GM product offered !!
And when you paid more for a Cadillac than the other GM average blah vehicle it was still worth it !!
Again, why was it worth it ?
Because it was the best longest lasting most reliable GM product offered !!
But if the GMC Terrain with the 2.0T is great, and it is great, I mite as well just buy a GMC terrain, why would I pay more for a Cadillac ?
So that is all I am saying, Cadillac needs to offer more, and only more !!!
So when every person buying a Cadillac, whether it is a base or a ” V ” says ” WOW ” this thing is ” GREAT ”
Not so when you buy a Cadillac you say , well this thing is like driving a GMC Terrain !!!
In my opinion !!
The 2.0T in the XT4 is very nice. It’s legitimately smooth – and I couldn’t honestly say that about the older 2.0L turbo from a few years ago.
So member12,
When you drive the XT4, that you payed more money for than the GMC Terrain, you would honestly say,
This Cadillac XT4 with the 2.0T is worth more than the Terrain 2.0T ?
And if your answer is yes. Why, Why is it worth more ?
Because to me its the ” same ” average GM blah, only a different look, so it can’t be the looks that make it worth more than a Cadillac because some like the Terrain look better.
Because I can also honestly say the same.
I drove an XT4 and I can honestly say it is legitimately smooth, it is.
It is so, so, so, much smoother than our 2014 ATS AWD, OK its smoother !!
But it should be smooth, its a Cadillac ! Did GM legitimately make the ones we drive not smooth so when they made the XT4 smooth, people would say, wow that drives smooth !
They used to drive smooth, the competition drives smooth, driving smooth is nothing great when your talking luxury.
So what to you makes the XT4 2.0T worth more than the Terrain Denali 2.0T ?
And why would this CT4 2.0T be worth anything more than the Camry, or Accord ?
Because to most of the average US customers, TODAY, they are never going to choose a Cadillac of equal price and nothing more to offer, over the top two most reliable, highest quality vehicles for years and years, with impeccable customer support.
For a Cadillac with one of the lowest reliability, one of the lowest quality, and the absolute worst in the US, customer support ?
Its just my opinion Cadillac needs to offer more, offer more to get their foot in the door.
I know all the GM lovers here think Cadillac means something to the average US buyer.
And I can tell you Cadillac does mean something to the average US buyer.
TODAY, in this world, in the US, Cadillac means an over priced Chevrolet.
Offer more !!!
In my opinion!!
Can’t wait for someone to do a head-to-head with a 2020 Cadillac CT4 against a 2018 Cadillac ATS and learn how much improvement there is with the car it was designed to replaced.
As I commented in response to a prior article, there is a lot to like about the ATS — good looking and great to drive; available coupe; the premium luxury interior is very nice, especially with Kona Brown or Morello Red leather; 3.6 NA V6 with 335HP using regular gas; not to mention a terrific V version. But the CT4 seems poised to offer several significant improvements:
– The second gen Alpha platform should address the prior system’s harshness over bumps while maintaining the already excellent driving dynamics.
– The refined 8-speed is likely to be much better, and the available 10-speed with the 2.7 should be a winning combination.
– The new infotainment system promises to be vastly better than CUE.
– The interior appears to be greatly upgraded; particularly when compared to the base ATS.
– The availability of more advanced driver safety features.
– Super cruise.
I think that pricing and value for the money will be key for this car. The CT5 pricing that has been released thus far offers some insight, but it has not yet included the upgraded engine or what it will cost to add the driver safety features or the other items that can be bundled into the platinum package.
Over Priced compact car. Cadillac are producing cars that are not worthy of being a Cadillac. Until Cadillac does something bold and outstanding they will continue to fail in the long term. I could go down the entire line and tell them what they keep getting wrong.
Or they could take a lesson from sister division Buick. The Enclave is far better then any of the Cadillac crossovers. The left over sedans at Cadillac lack the flash of the prototype cars The CT6 is irrelevant since it is being cancelled. The CT4 & CT5lack the flash needed to get the younger buyers and are to small for the older buyers. And the Escalade needs so much remodeling of its chassis to even play with the Lincoln Navigator. They need an independent rear suspension and lowered load floor. They flash of the exterior needs to be more old school Cadillac. Since they lack a halo car they need to make the Escalade into the halo car it could be. With the end of the XTS/DTS they need the Escalade to take over the Limousine, Livery, and Hearse market. The Cadillac branded cars are also not going to play well in the rental market.
The XT4 and Xt5 will do far better in the rental market. Cadillac should have just killed off these Sedans it is a waste of money and assests. Basically, Cadillac has lost its way and is in a slow downward spiral that they may never recover from.
This CTS owner won’t buy another Cadillac. Cadillac has a problem with the seals on their HID headlamp assemblies and has known about it for a long time. I complained about condensation in my headlights multiple times. The dealer responded it would dry out with use. Now my 41,000 mile vehicle is 11 months out of warranty and the chrome housing is discolored and Cadillac responds sorry buy your warranty has ended. Despite a class action suit in CA and FL Cadillac says the $1500 replacement is my problem. I bought my CTS with a Cadillac Certified warranty and made zero claims during that period. If the dealer had told me the seal was a problem it would have been replaced under warranty TWO YEARS AGO. What’s upsetting my dealer said Cadillac has been aware of HID headlight seal problems for years and my less than competent dealer should have replaced the light under warranty 2+ years ago. Bad service and a known bad lighting problem
Then buy an ancient, hideous Lexus IS or the lame, undersized Mercedes A Class.
The CT4 owners will see you in traffic while they use Supercruise and enjoy a comfortable interior…..knowing they made the right choice.
Member12,
You might be correct, the CT4 owners might see Tom in his Lexus in traffic,
But remember if its like a lot of the current Cadillacs on the road, maybe not if Cadillac didn’t improve their headlights, and maybe the CT4 owners won’t see Tom in traffic if the 8 speed in the CT4 is at the dealer getting on of the hundred TSB’s done .
You know I sure hope GM/Cadillac has made a fantastic car here !
I hope its the greatest Cadillac I have ever heard of, just the best, all the people around the US just can’t help but love them all , all the new ones.
But the reason all the people in the US think the ones they drive are $hit, is because a lot of them are $hit !!!!!
And unless something is going to change at GM, even if the Cadillacs released TODAY, are better in any way than the competition, it has been the case that the competition just makes theirs that much better over night and then GM waits 7 years to fix theirs !
So how come its different, what has changed ?
That back looks hideous.
No wonder this won’t sell in Europe!
Sorry but I’m not getting how this revised ATS is supposed to be better in the marketplace versus the old car. Other than greater engine smoothness, a revised grille and rear end and a few added tech items there isn’t much here that is really different besides killing off an affordable V6 option. Last year’s ATS 2.0T made 272 HP and 295 torque. This years makes way less at 237/258. The questionable 8 speed carries over. Tight rear quarters and trunk space are also carried over along with the basic same side profile. Maybe the extra interior colors will help some but then as we know GM will do what they always do and cancel half of them a few model years in.
sounds like it’s underpowered
The car is beautiful! But there are so many Experts and so little time…