GM launched the all-new Cadillac CT5-V for the 2020 model year as a new mid-range performance sedan that slots between the “regular” CT5 and the upcoming CT5-V Blackwing. In that position, the new CT5-V competes with other performance-oriented D-segment sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG, BMW M340i, Audi S4 and Infiniti Q50 3.0T Sport. The 2021 model year will represent the second year of the vehicle’s availability, and GM Authority is the first to tell you exactly what’s new and different about the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V.
Exterior
The exterior sees the deletion of two existing colors with two new ones. The two deleted colors are Red Obsession Tintcoat and Royal Spice Metallic. Both colors are available at an extra charge for the 2020 model year, while the Royal Spice Metallic hue was a promotional color available only on the CT5-V (and the lesser CT5 Sport).
2020 Cadillac CT5-V in Red Obsession Tintcoat
2020 Cadillac CT5-V in Royal Spice Metallic
The two new colors are Rift Metallic and Infrared Tintcoat. The Rift Metallic color is exclusive to the CT5-V, and Cadillac tells us that “it’s an alabaster white-based color with a fresh greige hue.” Meanwhile, Infrared Tintcoat can be described as a new cherry red color that Cadillac says draws attention to the “sedan’s bold exterior styling.”
Overall, the 2021 CT5-V will be available in the following nine exterior colors:
- Velocity Red
- Satin Steel Metallic
- Summit White
- Black Raven
- Evergreen Metallic
- Shadow Metallic
- Wave Metallic
- Rift Metallic
- Infrared Tintcoat
But most of what’s new about the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V lies in the cabin.
Technology
First is the addition of Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance feature for use on limited access freeways. The feature, which Cadillac previously announced would become available for the 2021 model year, will become available early in the 2021 calendar year. It requires the Driver Awareness Plus Package with Super Cruise as well as either the Driver Assist Package or the Platinum Package. To work properly, Super Cruise also requires an active OnStar plan, active Wi-Fi Hotspot, working electrical system, cell reception and GPS signal.
A new Buckle to Drive system is added to the Teen Driver feature. Aiming to encourage seat belt use, the feature prevents the CT5-V from being shifted out of Park until driver seat belt is fastened. The feature times out after 20 seconds and can be turned on and off in Settings or Teen Driver menu.
On the infotainment front, the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V gains wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto functionality as standard. The wired functionality remains for those who prefer to use a cable.
Another major change is the addition of a new, optional 12-inch diagonal instrument cluster. The high-definition, reconfigurable cluster features different themes, including a traditional Tour theme, a performance-oriented Sport theme, a Track theme that’s exclusive to the CT5-V, plus a dark, minimalist theme called Stealth. Once drivers select a theme, they can change the information displayed in each zone of the cluster.
The new, all-digital gauge cluster is included and only available as part of the also new-for-2021 Technology Package, which includes a Head-Up Display. The Technology Package also requires the Premium Package. The standard cluster remains the unit with the analog speedometer and tachometer, along with a dual digital Driver Information Center display.
The introduction of the new digital cluster results in the deletion of the optional, 8-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center (DIC), which previously served as the up-level gauge cluster for the 2020 model year.
Additionally, the Rotary Infotainment Controller gains jog functionality, which allows the controller to be “pushed” in different directions to select different items on the display, as well as “rotated.”
Finally, SiriusXM gains 360L functionality, allowing it to deliver a more interactive satellite radio experience.
Interior
The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V interior also sees a material improvement in the form of upgraded Modena leather on the steering wheel as well as a standard Senza leather-wrapped horn pad.
Packages
From a package standpoint, the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V adds the aforementioned Technology Package, which includes the also-aforementioned 12-inch diagonal color reconfigurable driver cluster as well as the Head-Up Display.
As a result, the Navigation and Bose Premium Audio Package no longer includes the 8-inch diagonal color reconfigurable Driver Information Center display, which was the higher-end gauge cluster prior to the introduction of the 12-inch unit. Meanwhile, the Navigation and Bose Premium Audio Package now includes the Cadillac user experience infotainment system with embedded navigation, 15-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system and Wireless Phone Charging. For the CT5-V, the package is only included and available with the Premium Package.
Additionally, the Driver Awareness Plus Package without Super Cruise now includes Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and IntelliBeam. The package no longer contains the Head-Up Display, which moves to the Technology Package.
Mechanical
From a mechanical standpoint, the 2021 CT5-V continues to be powered by the twin-turbo 3.0L V6 LGY engine rated at 360 horsepower at 5400 RPM and 405 pound-feet of torque at 2350-4000 RPM.
Shifting duty continues to be handled by the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive is standard, while all-wheel-drive is optional.
Magnetic Ride Control with FE3 performance suspension is standard, as is an electronic limited slip differential.
Availability
The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V goes into production in late Q3 2020 at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan. The very first units should begin to arrive at dealers roughly a month thereafter.
Looking Ahead
Introduced for the 2020 model year, the first-generation CT5-V is expected to live on thru at least the 2025 model year. Branded as a V-Series model, the CT5-V has been repositioned from its ATS-V and CTS-V predecessors, and now occupies an entry-level performance position between the “regular” CT5 and the upcoming CT5-V Blackwing.
Upcoming Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The Blackiwng model will arrive in 2021 as the range-topping CT5 performance variant, making around 600 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine.
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Comments
The leather horn pad should be standard on every Cadillac. How much would that cost them, and how much more would they gain? Much more important than the lower door panels.
” leatherette seats replace leatherette seating surfaces while leather seating surfaces with mini-perforated inserts replace leather-appointed seating surfaces with mini-perforated inserts.”
That’s good to know.
LOL. I thought the same thing on the seat materials.
I reread that statement 4 times thinking that I was missing something. 😅
You are still missing it, probably.
It means that the entire seat is now appointed in the material, not just the seating surface itself.
100%
General Motors CEO Mary Barra should consider integrating the Rotary Infotainment Controller across the fleet as it’s what the Europeans and Japanese have been doing; it’s so much easier than the flat panel system where the LCD sometimes don’t always register.
She does not make that decision.
….He knows that….
Doesn’t sound like he does. Doesn’t sound like he knows much.
I’m impressed. That’s a descent amount of changes after just one model year. Either it’s coming from customer complaints or they are getting better at learning faster.
Impressed? GM should have had all this from the launch, they royally screwed the year one buyers by doing this a year after
I AM a year one buyer.
Don’t get me started…
Anybody have a clue about what “Rift” could possibly be? Not particularly descriptive.
My guess is it’s a darker blue since in the list of colors, the dark blue is gone and the only blue left is Wave.
I understood the description of rift to be a white grey, sounds like sherwin william white light collection.
No ambient lighting? wtf?
Fully digital gauge cluster!?
Glad they finally have a fully digital gauge cluster. Lolz at the fact the premium package adds an additional 6k.
From the front it looks like a Infinity Sedan with a Cadillac grille, which model is this again???
My neighborhood is behind a Cadillac Dealership. That C panel “window” piece strikes me each time I see it as a metaphor for the sad mediocrity of the entire brand.
Of course, if the C-pillar had been modified so soon, it would have been the same as GM admitting the thing was wrong in the first place – like THAT would ever happen.
All those changes, I’m sure this will “rocket” the vehicle to the top of the sales charts as few even know what it is yet. I mean seriously what have they sold, like 25K maybe? Dunno, but “change” just to change is ridiculous. Change to make it better and more competitive. Perhaps the new paint is “free” not extra charge, glad to know the vinyl seats are called leatherette though…. perhaps improve not just change… the frustration with this company is just stratospheric…
So what ideas you have to put it CT5 in Camry numbers during a deep recession?. BTW 2500 CT5s moved off dealer lots last quarter while Lexus is killing the GS, Linc for Contenental, word is Infi G35/Q50 is dying too, Caddy must be doing something right.
4.5M jobs last month, the stock market is near its record, this is not a “deep” recession though liberals are doing everything possible to keep the nation shut down, pathetic cowards. Who cares about the increase in Chinese Virus cases, the death rate from it is Waaaayyyy down as a %. Getting the virus is not a death sentence but thats not how its reported… OK to your point:
Plenty, no 4 cyl or a 4 as a no cost option, 3.6 std on CT4/CT5, 3.0TT optional and the Corvette V8 for top models – power train starters.
An interior that dramatically improves and mirrors or beats the leaders, namely Mercedes.
Paint would not be extra charge,
5/50 warranty and 100K on powertrains.
Id also market the living crap out of this thing so people know what it is…. Id be VERY interested to know about any conquest figures they have, which are small I imagine.
O% financing as well…
I think those changes would dramatically increase sales and cost Cadillac some money, but would they lose money, I seriously doubt that and even if they did they’re losing money by NOT selling vehicles so… Those won’t be Camry # but they’ll be better than they’re going to be at the current rate… prove me wrong.
That’s what we need, some racist old man who calls Covid the Chinese virus and politicizes it to peddle his pathetic narrative. I don’t know how many times I have to teach you how to do basic math to get a percentage from deaths to cases to get the actual death rate (which is 5% by the way) Consumers WANT 4cyl options, the only people who don’t are old men who don’t care about the planet in any way shape or form, having the option doesn’t hurt anything. The 3.6 V6 is a timebomb, there’s a reason it’s being phased out. And they’re already offering 0% financing lol.
Lets see.. you ask a question and respond with “Racist” and “Old Man” …. I think you’ve proven what you’re made of…. but you’re an coward from Canada so enough said….
I did not ask you a question first off, and calling me a coward makes no sense as a rebuttal to what I said. I refuted your points and pointed out that calling covid the Chinese virus is f-ing racist plain and simple. You talk out of your arse 99.9% of the time and when people press you on it you hide behind name calling and racist drivel. Grow up, it’s 2020 there’s no room for you here.
C’mon. It came from China. Wuhan specifically. The virus was made – by either natural or artificial means – in China. Referring to it by it’s place of origin is just accurate, not racist.
Tell me, should we be apologizing to a bunch of Spaniards for the Spanish Flu? What about German Measles? You do know Ebola is named after a river, right?
So…? You do see how calling it that puts blame on an entire race of people? And causes discrimination based on that? Your own government condemned the use of it, then your president did it anyway. There have been multiple account of violence towards Asian people as a result of this, it’s discrimination, plain and simple. Your point for Ebola makes no sense, it’s not called the African flu. And the Spanish flu wasn’t even born in Spain! Pointing out that the virus is Chinese in nature serves NO purpose, but to point the finger. Where it came from is completely irrelevant, it’s everywhere now we’ve all got to deal with it, albeit some better than others….
What is relevant is the Chinese Communists’ attempt at suppressing information about it.
Oh you mean speculation? Completely unconfirmed speculation? Cool.
A time bomb? How so?!
The 3.6 is notorious for timing chain/gear issues, it’s been known for years. Gm loves to keep flawed engines around for too long. IE the original Northstar V8.
That may have been true years ago up to around 2012 but has not been an issue the past 8 years. I have owned several 3.6’s from 2012 onward with well over 100k with zero zero issues. My friends had 2012/2013 Impala’s with close to 200K and I have seen plenty examples with this many miles and it has been proven this is a non issue since the 3.6 was upgraded with revised timing chains and shortened oil change intervals.
Interesting, I didn’t know that. Even still though, everyone who pines for this engine was complaining about it last year, I heard complaints about it being boring and vanilla and not efficient etc. But now that it’s gone, people are complaining again? The 3.6 was “blah” and while the 2.0 is more “blah” at least I’m visiting the pumps less. I don’t need my daily driver to be fast, I, like more people, sit in rush hour traffic every day.
Also we should keep in mind that a large part of GM’s 3.6L V6s underwent a near clean-sheet redesign in 2016. The LGX does not share many parts at all with the earlier LFX. I don’t think Caddy used the LFX in any of their models (past perhaps the XLS) after the 2015 MY.
I had a 13 ATS 3.6 Premium and supposedly the mill was revamped so much in 2016 it was essentially a new engine… haven’t driven one but I experienced no issues and found the 321bhp was fun…
Lol, so all the people “rehired” to “$100k” jobs are suddenly bursting to buy the next Cadillac but won’t because of leatheratte seats, no V8 and 3.6, c’mon.
Very happy to hear that Finally Cadillac is giving the CT5 a 12 inch Digital Gauge Cluster.
Welcome to Modern Day Vehicle making GM Lol
When my CT6 lease is up in 2022 I know now that there will be no replacement for it. if Cadillac can somehow do something with that 3rd pillar in could be a player for one
It looks good if you 5% tint the rear windows, makes the fake window look like a real one.
Just to clarify I mean like blackout tint, limousine style. Legitimately looks way better.
Cadillac car sales are as good as the Cimarron. Thank Mary Bara. Did you know when you buy a Cadillac, they well donate part of your sale to BLM, LGTBQ+2, and the binary boys club of Estonia. Hail the fascist corporate Titanic.
“Did you know when you buy a Cadillac, they well donate part of your sale to BLM, LGTBQ+2, and the binary boys club of Estonia.” How about actually citing your source for this misinformation?
He won’t, he just talks out of his ass and panders to the Marry haters club. He’s a low tier troll.
They sold 26,000 Cimarrons its first year, and averaged about 20,000/year. They would kill to sell that many CT5s–and make a profit.
If they actually were donating to those causes, would it be a bad thing? Or is all people having equal rights not cool with you?
I am so glad that they kept the cool C pillar, it is one of my favorite parts of the car.
No, the dark blue you’re referring was never available with the “V”, and remains unavailable.
So is the next GEN Camaro going to the Alpha 2 platform too?! That would make some logical sense…
Changes for 2022: 3.0TT is dropped. All colors that aren’t white, black or some form of silver/grey are dropped. If you want leather seats plan on ponying up for the Super Ultimate Platinum edition for 70K and paying 5K extra for the Mary Barra Premium profit maker package.
I showed my car enthusiasts friend, who has up until now loved Cadillac sedans, this new CT5 in red that has been sitting all by itself on the side of the building between a bunch of XT4’s since it was delivered in March and told him that this is now Cadillac’s flagship offering complete with 237 HP 4 cylinder engine and micro sized trunk and Honda Accord C-pilar. He just shook his head in disbelief.
I get that you’re trying to be funny but you have to at least make sense. It’s also not the flagship, they didn’t even consider the CT6 their flagship.
Okay let me be more descriptive- “flagship sedan”. And I’m well aware the Escalade is the flagship of their entire lineup but I’m not talking about sport utilities. And yes my post was a bit of snark with all the dumb things GM has been doing lately like killing off the 2.0T in the Terrain, de-contenting, killing off so many cars and on and on. The morale of the story is that when you walk into a Cadillac dealer this is the best sedan they now offer and it’s not even competitive with a less expensive Genesis.
….But how much do you think a CT5 starts at? The Genesis is more expensive, by 5 grand starting price (At least up here in Canada)
If you work at that Cadillac dealership, it’s time for you to move on… Everyone knows the Escalade is the flagship. Everyone except you.
Negative nancy. Absolutely no basis for your first comments. The second comment is BS as we all know the Escalade is the flagship product. Also, if Cadillac had a big problem selling CT5s they would be offering way more than 1,000 as an incentive. The white CT5-V at my local dealership just sold.
It was snark get over yourself! 8 hour road trip this past weekend to Ohio and 8 back not one CT5 spotted the entire trip. In fact I saw more CT6’s and MKZ’s/Continental’s you know the cars that don’t sell at all!
How you know if those CT6/Continentals didn’t come from a dealership auction or Al’s used cars?. Besides those been out for the past 4 years. I’ve seen at least 5 CT5s already.
The same argument could be made on the 5 CT5’s you saw. The CT6 got an MCE for 2019 so I know they weren’t 4 year old models. Most of the cars I saw were being driven by elderly couples in their 60’s and 70’s so I doubt they were being driven between dealerships and the majority looked brand new so I’ll assume they were bought new or gently used.
You do realize that the CT5 has only been in production since December? And you do realize that production was suspended from March to June? No one is calling the CT5 a flagship except you. Cadillac isn’t calling it that. The press isn’t calling it that. Cadillac wasn’t even calling the CT6 a flagship. They had a choice to make. Realign their entire sedan portfolio to try to get young generations of buyers into the brand, or kill all of their sedan models and focus on SUVs and crossovers. I for one am glad that they decided to keep making sedans. I agree that the 2.0T is not a good powertrain, but the CT5-V will smoke the Genesis in any comparison. I also prefer to look at hard sales data versus counting how many cars I see on the road myself. Either way, the Genesis brand isn’t looking good regardless of which metric you use.
I don’t care if they or anybody else is calling it a flagship or not. For 2021 onward this half baked entry is the best Cadillac sedan anybody can buy as the much more impressive and larger CT6 has been ditched Blackwing V8 and all. Yes if you want a full sized luxury car neither Cadillac or Lincoln have anything to offer. Genesis does along with Kia and just about every other brand including Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc etc. The 44 HP detuned 3.0TT in the V-Sport has yet to prove what it can smoke or not smoke so I will await some comparison tests before endorsing that statement!
As far as raw sales data we will see. But I fail to see how a car that has less power than the car before it with controversial rear quarters styling and barely improved trunk and interior space is going improve sales much. I too want sedans but GM is half phoning it in these days and not trying nearly hard enough!
I’m guessing you haven’t read any CT5-V reviews. Lexus just killed the GS sedan and no one will buy a $65,000 Kia in the volumes that will make any difference whatsoever in the marketplace. The reason the Germans are so successful is because of BRAND loyalty. Kia has ZERO. Cadillac had it and lost it and if they are actually going to follow through and make an electric full-size sedan costing $200,000, I will be happy and cheering for them to succeed. If people really want a full-size sedan – the sales of which are falling across all brands – they can go buy a German. I don’t think Cadillac will miss those sales in the big scheme of things.
Talking about chasing it’s own tail & becoming dizzy in the process! That’s what Cadillac is currently doing sadly! They got rid of the two best combo duo of all time arguably the Cts-V & Ats-V to give us this new uninspiring no passion lukewarm version of Cadillacs performance and think that it’s hit a home run?? Sorry you’ve struck out with this one tragically! Why is Cadillac moving backwards instead of forward is due to two things! They’ve forgotten their heritage & they’ve forgot their own slogan “The Standard Of The World” now it’s the substandard of the world it seems!! Hyundai & Kia are killing it right now & Cadillac seems to be out to lunch & playing angry birds!! I sat in a Kia K900 (the name sucks) & I was literally blown away by what I saw! The execution inside was jaw dropping & evidence of commitment! Hear that Cadillac? I am thinking very serious about purchasing this car from Kia but I think it needs a more luxurious lineup name change to bring it into the next echelon! I love the Cts-Vsport (on my list) & the fact that it’s still relevant among the Germans in respect to performance & just a little bit lower than it’s big brother the Cts-V & I’m practically fine with that!
The K900 was a halo car to elevate the brand. It doesn’t make money, has never made money, and as a result will not be in the lineup for much longer. The same thing goes for the Stinger. They’re both one-generation wonders that didn’t contribute to the bottom line, but were there to show the world that Kia can do something interesting. Well, that’s done… and the products are going for obvious reasons.
In fact, the above holds true for all Hyundai and Kia sedans. I wouldn’t look to them as examples of the kinds of products that are realistic or sustainable. Most are offered at a loss or close to it.
The CT5 is better in every way than the ATS it replaces in the lineup. Cadillac has never had a model in the segment that the CT4 competes now. Even so, the car is either better or on par with its direct rivals. Your complaints don’t align with reality.
The CT4 IS the ATS, just massaged… to say the CT5 is better is really double speak, the CTS was replaced by the CT5 but then GM changed “who they said their competitive vehicles are”… which is marketing or a “segment” change its not as if the ATS was replaced by the CT5 they demoted the vehicles and went back to their “tweener” strategy……
You want to spend $65,000 on a Kia? Good luck! A fully loaded BMW M340 costs about the same…
Great. Here comes the 2021 CT5-V with all its upgrades and my 2020, which I put a deposit on way back in early February, STILL hasn’t arrived yet…
Do you have your build number? You should ask for an update. Mine was built on June 22nd but apparently hasn’t left the factory yet.
Yeah, it’s built, with a VIN#. Supposedly it’s sitting in some rail yard waiting to get shipped to Salt Lake City, where it transfers to a truck for final transport to the dealer in Idaho. Since every dealership is screaming for new inventory after the Covid shutdowns, it’s taking forever…
Looks like we’re in the same boat!…..Or railyard? Lol
Yup, I confirmed it this afternoon, it’s STILL sitting in a railyard in Toledo, Ohio waiting for a train ride…
Since the dealership is in Idaho & I live in Denver, the dealer going to TRY to reroute the shipment to Colorado. (Although unlikely)
Oh! well at least you know something about yours! They just keep telling me mine is “Still in MIchigan” Granted it’s going up to Canada for delivery but still, I’d like to see some movement… Did you ask on the internet or just called your dealer?
I’m in regular communication with my dealership. My salesman says he checks regularly, but I’m in Idaho on vacation right now so I went to the dealership in person. It was the inventory manager who spoke to me & offered to attempt the shipping reroute.
Their info (for me at least) was very delayed. I asked for a build date on June 19th and they had told me there was no date scheduled yet. And then on the following Monday the car was finished building. So I don’t fully trust their info, maybe mine will just show up out of the blue without an update….I can hope lol
She offered to attempt the reroute yesterday after I told her the department I work in is short staffed, so if the car doesn’t arrive by July 18th, the soonest I can return to get it is the beginning of September, which is only a few weeks before the ’21s come out. I mentioned the possibility of my setting this order aside & ordering a ’21, but she wasn’t receptive to that.
Cadillac should have kept the old the 2.0L and up the power to 290HP and still offer the manual since the hardware is already there. The 3.0L should be at the CTS V-sport rating with 420HP, or to the very least, match the CT6’s power with 404HP.
I am glad that Cadillac is keeping the dials too for us traditional buyers. I know the kids like ambient lighting, I have that in my Camaro and the TRON simulator is enough to annoy me at night driving. So Cadillac, if you must add it in the future, at least leave it in a way to turn it off.
You really are the voice of reason.
I drove a couple of CT5’s – the 350T and 550T, both premium luxury trim.
You guys are lost if you don’t think these are damn solid cars and a compelling buy. It’s a 5 series for the price of a 3 series.
Drive one if you don’t believe me. The CT5 is a very good car.
I liked it so much I ordered one back in February…It just hasn’t arrived yet sadly because of Covid.
I told you yesterday mine was sitting in a railyard in Toledo. Well now “supposedly” mine is on a train bound for Salt Lake City. Interesting coincidence that happened just as they offered to try and redirect the shipping to my home town…
I’m going to give my dealer a call tomorrow. They’re probably so tired of hearing from me by now hahaha
Is it a way to pick up your car at another dealership if it’s in another city?.
You can sometimes order a new car at one dealership and have it delivered to another in a different city, but I hear it’s rare & difficult.
Finally got an update! Build code 4300, so hopefully in the next 2 weeks I’ll be driving it.
They don’t give me build codes. They just give me their translation. So whatever 4300 is, I hope it’s very good!
Ask for the code next time you talk! You can google it and it’ll tell you what’s going on!
No 550+ HP, 620+ lb/ft torque, Not for mw. I Had a LT4 CTS V, best car I ever had. Even better than 2012 556 SC 6.2, LSA. The ’12 even had a “Replay on live radio for up to 2 hours. Really a great option, when they play your all time favorite tune. Sorry Fans I’m looking for a cherry used LT4 CTS V. Air Filter and headers is worth 80hp same torque gain. NEW is not always better.. My X wife is looking better all the time…LOL!