Now that pricing has been announced for the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V, we can start comparing the performance sedan against direct rivals in regards to output as well as other metrics like dimensions and price.
It’s worth nothing that the new Cadillac CT5-V isn’t a high-output monster like the ATS-V and CTS-V were. Instead, it represents the entry level of Cadillac’s two-tier performance vehicle strategy, as the first tier carries the V moniker, while the second tier will wear the V Blackwing name (such as CT5-V Blackwing). With that in mind, let’s see how the new CT5-V stacks up to the competition.
Starting at $48,690, the CT5-V competes against the Audi S4, the BMW M340i, the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 and the Mercedes-AMG C43.
All five contenders in the performance luxury D-segment rely on six-cylinder engines with either one or two turbochargers. The CT5-V is equipped with the 3.0-liter LGY V6 as well as the GM 10-speed automatic transmission, while its adversaries’ gearboxes get anywhere from seven to nine gears, and all-wheel drive is available across the board, although it comes standard in the Audi and the Mercedes.
| Model | Engine | Power (hp@rpm) | Torque (lb-ft@rpm) | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S4 | turbo 3.0L V6 | 349 @ 5400 | 369 @ 1370-4500 | 8-Speed Auto |
| BMW M340i | turbo 3.0L L6 | 382 @ 5800-6500 | 369 @ 1800-5000 | 8-Speed Auto |
| Cadillac CT5-V | twin-turbo 3.0L V6 | 360 @ 5400 | 405 @ 2350-4000 | 10-Speed Auto |
| Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 | twin-turbo 3.0L V6 | 400 @ 6400 | 350 @ 1600-5200 | 7-Speed Auto |
| Mercedes-AMG C43 | twin-turbo 3.0L V6 | 385 @ 6100 | 384 @ 2500-5000 | 9-Speed Auto |
General Motors touts the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V as a bigger car than its competitors, but at a lower price point. Let’s see how the exterior dimensions and curb weight line up.
| Model | Wheelbase (in.) | Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Height (in.) | Track F/R (in.) | Curb Weight RWD/AWD (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S4 | 111.2 | 186.8 | 55.3 | 72.5 | 61.6/60.9 | 3858 |
| BMW M340i | 112.2 | 185.7 | 71.9 | 56.4 | 62.3/61.8 | 3849/3968 |
| Cadillac CT5-V | 116.0 | 193.8 | 74.1 | 57.2 | 62.8/63.9 | 3975/N/A |
| Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 | 112.2 | 189.6 | 71.8 | 56.8 | 60.4/61.4 | 3588/3998 |
| Mercedes-AMG C43 | 111.8 | 185.0 | 71.3 | 56.3 | 63.1/61.3 | 3825 |
Since the CT5-V is bigger on the outside, it normally should offer a more spacious cockpit than its smaller rivals. Here are the interior dimensions of all five cars.
| Model | Front Headroom (in.) | Rear Headroom (in.) | Front Legroom (in.) | Rear Legroom (in.) | Front Shoulder Room (in.) | Rear Shoulder Room (in.) | Front Hip Room (in.) | Rear Hip Room (in.) | Trunk (cu. ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S4 | 38.9 | 37.4 | 41.3 | 35.7 | 55.9 | 54.5 | N/A | N/A | 13.0 |
| BMW M340i | 38.7 | 37.6 | 42.0 | 35.2 | 56.0 | 54.6 | N/A | N/A | 17.0 |
| Cadillac CT5-V | 39.0 | 36.6 | 42.4 | 37.9 | 56.7 | 55.7 | 53.7 | 53.7 | 11.9 |
| Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 | 39.5 | 36.8 | 44.5 | 35.1 | 56.7 | 56.1 | 53.2 | 52.5 | 13.5 |
| Mercedes-AMG C43 | 37.1 | 37.1 | 41.7 | 35.2 | 55.3 | 55.0 | N/A | N/A | 12.6 |
Now, let’s see how the Cadillac stacks up to its competitors in regards to pricing. All numbers here include destination freight charges.
| Model | RWD MSRP | AWD MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Audi S4 | N/A | $51195 |
| BMW M340i | $54995 | $56995 |
| Cadillac CT5-V | $48690 | $51290 |
| Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 | $54250 | $56250 |
| Mercedes-AMG C43 | N/A | $55950 |
In conclusion, the CT5-V ranks fourth for horsepower, but first for peak torque. Meanwhile, it is in fact the biggest car of the bunch on the outside, but apart from slightly more rear-seat legroom, the Cadillac’s cabin isn’t more spacious, and trunk space is the smallest. On the other hand, it’s the most affordable of the group.
This report was written in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
On the other hand, it’s the most affordable of the group. – Only the RWD version is most affordable but when AWD is applied, its nearly the same. Even if it were $5K less in AWD form, at this price point who would buy the new entry from GM over the heritage and pedigree of the Mercedes AMG, Audi Quattro S, or BMW M cars…? This is yet another “base hit” for GM vs a “home run”. This vehicle will not move the needle or conquest sales of the established marques.
IMO with the discontinuation of the CT6 Cadillac is looking down the barrel of irrelevancy, yet again. While the new Suburban looks pretty good the Escalade needs to be insane to create a new buzz. This article also mentions CT5-V Blackwing but I predict that mill dies with the CT6-V as its hand built and GM is in cost cutting mode. VERY much a pity for a company who is trying to look like a “serious” luxury car maker but is in cost cutting mode. You simply cant be cutting costs when attempting to push the needle and reestablish a brand, especially a luxury brand. I miss the CTS-V and am looking for one right now… truly world class and bad ass.
I would agree.
The other thing that’s discouraging is that the CT5 has been marketed as larger than the A4/S4, C class and 3 series but for the same money. The interior dimensions dispute that. It has the most rear legroom, but the smallest trunk.
I also agree that it’s very much a base hit. All indications are that it will be a very fine car, but I don’t know of anything that sets is apart from the rest of its competitors. Agree’d about the CTS-V.
Xjug
A few years ago BMW released the M2. That year they reported record Mseries U.S. sales. (Between 5 models 15,000 vehicles sold.
Last year Mercedes released the new CLA AMG. At the end of the year they reported 10% of their U.S. sales were AMGs ( 10 models ~ 31,000 vehicles)
There’s not a lot of buyers there, and sales of these Halo cars usually drop off as fast as the press coverage does.
What the CT5 needs to do is bring in the people looking to spend ~$45K for a modestly equipped luxury daily driver.
Again, does this vehicle in any form, provide the value proposition to switch from BMW, Mercedes or Audi… NO! Maybe Lexus, Infiniti or Acura which means Cadillac is not a premium brand. If it cannot stand for something other than the new guy that’s close to the others but slightly cheaper, what’s the point? We already know what to expect from MB/BMW & Audi, so why even go there… again, its just not compelling enough in any way to cause premium buyers to switch… perhaps more of a bunt than a base hit…. really disappointing but that’s todays, “cost cutting” GM….
I would buy over a Mercedes and BMW just because of reliability. Also the last reviews I’ve seen on BMW’s their interiors are not nice and just hard rubber now. Mercedes looks good in pictures but in person they are not that great unless you pay 100k. This CT5 might be the right size as the CTS went to big and alienated to many people.
Totally disagree. I had a 2013 ATS Premium 3.6 with a $49k sticker that I really liked. It was recalled 7X and the dealer customer service sucked! I’ve driven Mercedes for years and we have 2 now. Totally brilliant vehicle and customer svc is fabulous. Interiors? My wife’s 2015 interior is still lovely and VERY high quality and nicer than many new cars. I agree some of the newer MB model interiors are a little extreme. I also hate the turbo 4 in MBs. Ours have normally aspirated 6’s that are silk and gorgeous. Blame enviro-weenies got that trend…
Bigger car with smallest trunk space. wow
@David Cross
That is because they were forced to use yet again the old Platform in which it wasn’t fully baked due to Pricing Constraints.
GM desperately needs a new Platform for Cadillac that can be modified for all sorts of vehicles and sizes. This is why in my opinion the future EV’s might be Cadillacs last Hope to become relevant in the Luxury Market.
With the cancellation of the CT6 they just dumped the Omega Platform, the most advanced platform in GM’s history, a one hit wonder. With it, I predict goes the Blackwing hand made V8 as well. GM is supposedly betting on the future but they are losing mightily on the present. Senior Mgt needs to be fired immediately and the CT6 restored and other products need to come from the platform.
Or the omega platform be the new corvette style sedan
said like someone that knows exactly zero about the auto industry other than google news headlines….
and you’re an expert because you’ve been drawing cars since you were 7? This is an opinion blog but I AM in the industry, knowitall… what did I say that was “wrong” oh expert of self proclaimed experts…
Even if the CT5-V competes with the S4/M340/AMG C43 in terms of power and price, the fact of the matter is it’s the same size as the next class up – A6, 5 Series, and E Class – by an inch or less in most cases. All those have a turbo-6 variant, so let’s compare those:
CT5-V – 360 hp – $48,690 / $51,290
E450 – 362 hp – $61,550
540i – 335 hp – $59,450 / $61,750
A6 55 – 335 hp – $59,800
Here, the CT5-V wins on price, rather than size. Just another way to look at it. Did Cadillac not want to make this comparison because of how it markets the V-series, or perceived quality?
Dang the 2021 Escalade just leaked out.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/12/2021-cadillac-escalade-interior-shown-in-new-leak/
Christmas came early!
@Jack
Yes. The interior looks great.
That is the interior Cadillac needed on all of their current vehicles. That would have set them apart from other Luxury Auto Makers. It is a unique design and vert modern.
Good that GM is still investing in this cash cow — the Silverado pickup trucks and variants were a bit of a disappointment, so nice to see GM is getting the large SUVs right.
I really like the front end of the CT5. I still think ALL Cadillacs needed the Escala interior to stand out in the tough Luxury market. And they should have had the same 400HP – 400TQ power band that the CT6 had that prior to being cancelled.
In my opinion Cadillac cannot be at the same level as the Big Three Germans but need to surpass them just like Audi did back in the Day. Look at where that got them in todays Luxury market.
And I still do not know how well that Tweener Strategy will work. The more I am thinking about it I am starting to be less upset they went that route. I mean Cadillac basically sells nothing in Europe so they don’t need to have a size of an A4. All of their sales are pretty much from the US and China. Now if you have been following China you would know that the Germans offer the A4, C – Class, and 3 Series in long Wheelbase form over there. Cadillac basically already has that in the CT5.
We shall see how all this shakes out. Cadillac needs all the sales and Good Press they can get. Hence why I will always feel they dropped the Ball with their current Interiors.
I also want to mention this statement. In conclusion, the CT5-V ranks fourth for horsepower, but first for peak torque.
First in peak torque, Does it ?
The engine does, does the vehicle ?
And for what span, the torque band at the wheels of the vehicle at what speed ?
You see this is where GM has failed for years now, in the mid-sized market, and for sure mid-sized luxury market.
while the 3.0TT might be a great engine ( now, as before it was rough noisy and the timing chains failed, but just your average GM known faulty parts ) but the torque band is smaller and at a higher rpm. Now the new 10 speed helps this as it places the engine torque in a higher number, BUT it just matches the competition, NOT EXCEEDS it.
Drive them both and you will see.
And watch the fuel gauge as you do.
You see the ” first for peak torque ” number is at a higher rpm and in these GM mid-sized 3.0 – 3.6 V6 engines that means FUEL USAGE.
And look at longevity.
Now in the Cadillac vehicle, just to ” keep up ” with the long proven reliability of the competition you have a tremendous number of moving parts.
You have a V6 not an inline, more parts, you have two turbos and all that that entails, over one. and at least 1 but on average 2 more gears, and that’s not just 2 more parts.
And that’s JUST TO KEEP UP.
Cadillac should have made the base engine, or ” standard ” engine the 2.7T and with the 10 speed on this CT5, and offered it for less money to get them on the road.
The longevity of the less parts of the 2.7T and the fuel savings of the 2.7T, do to the longer torque band at a lower rpm, let alone the quantity of manufacturing the 2.7T,
It just would be a better Cadillac for longer and less than the competition.
These new Cadillacs ( other than the Escalade ) were barely place holders, and I’m not sure they will even succeed at that.
But for sure they are NOT a home run by at least 3 bases !
In my opinion.
So…can anyone tell me when the CT5-V Blackwing, or whatever it’s called, is supposed to be revealed? Anyone from GMA staff hear anything? I’ve been waiting for months since they revealed the CT5-V and showed the V8-powered version on the track a week later. When the hell is it coming??
I predict the V+ series currently rumored to be Blackwing will in fact be a regular V8 vs the Blackwing, hand made V8. The price point of these vehicles will not likely permit a hand made engine and cost cutting GM can just take the same mill from the Vette. I predict the BW is dead with the CT6. GM is losing it in every way…..
I agree, as a story came out about the death of the Blackwing weeks ago. Yes, it’s very likely dead…but I’m not sure what that has to do with the release date of the LT4-powered CT5-V+, or whatever they call it.
Once again using the wrong segment for comparisons.
Car segments are defined by size (sub-compact, compact, mid, full), not price.
This is a mid-size luxury brand sedan so it competes with the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-Class, Lexus GS.
GM you underpowered your mid-size performance sedan, stop this marketing spin.
So you can get a larger car at less of price and probably drives fine. How is that a loss? It was the how the CTS started and by going bigger hurt the car. Now its sits between them and maybe what people are looking for.
It depends on who you ask and what people go by. If you live in the US there are a few different ways to define class. From my understanding most go by interior volume which the CT5 seems to be in the same class as the car’s mentioned in the article. Going by weight, they are all relatively close with the exception of the Infiniti. Oddly enough as far as I can tell most don’t go by wheelbase or the exterior size of a vehicle. Defining a cars size isn’t as easy or universal as one would like to believe.
As a Cadillac fan i really want this car and all Cadillac vehicles to succeed. Only question is what is this car going to do that the CTS couldnt do. With CTS and ATS sales falling off over the last few years what does this car bring to the table that those didnt. Better looking……..no. Better handling………no. Better interior…………not really, just updated. Better price………..a bit.
This car needs to sell more than a thousand units a month, In order to do that it needs to attract new customers, that means poaching customers from the competition. Can this car do that………i hope so. But how.
The last CTS was a great car, except for price. The prior CTS was pretty darn successful following the same playbook as this one.
Things may be off to a rocky start as Motor Trend dinged the CT5 base edition in the COTY competition. They disliked the C-pillar, the 4-cyl engine/chassis and the interior materials. They didn’t test a Sport or V.
Be interested to see if the V fixes some of these problems…
I own a 2013 ATS premium 3.6 and was looking forward to upgrading to a midsize luxury sedan. The ct5 interior is a big let down. The interior of my ats is better w more leather and stitching. Look at the interior of the European mid size cars and then the ct5, no comparison. The audi a6 is beautiful inside. As a consumer, would do you do if you want a midsize or large american luxury car? Very disappointed!
I predict the CT4-V and CT5-V will come out, suddenly everyone will change their tune after seeing one in person, or driving one, and all of a sudden it will be a “great performance value” and people will really like them. Mark my words.
what a shame cadillac finally makes a decent car , the ct6 plugin so they discontinue making them. i wish g m would get their heads out of their butts and give the public what they want. another mistake ,they stopped making the chevy cruze, wake up
if the ct5 is a big seller g m will discontinue making them just like every decent car they manufacture, that seems to be g m s way of doing business, make a decent car for a year or two then discontinue it
Just got word today that the CT5-V I ordered in December will be built on Feb 24.
please email me and let me know how it is thanks
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!