The 2021 Cadillac CT4 represents the second model year of the compact luxury sedan, for which it receives several new features and changes. Here’s exactly what was new for the 2021 CT4.
Model Line
The 2021 Cadillac CT4 model line remains the same as it was in 2020, consisting of Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series (per Cadillac’s Y trim level strategy), all of which are available in either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drivetrain configurations.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2021 Cadillac CT4 sees the deletion of two existing colors and the addition of three new ones. The two deleted hues are Red Obsession Tintcoat and Royal Spice Metallic. Both colors were available at an extra charge for the 2020 model year, and Royal Spice Metallic was a promotional color available only on the CT4-V and the CT4 Sport.
2020 Cadillac CT4 Red Obsession Tintcoat
2020 Cadillac CT4 Royal Spice Metallic
The three new colors are Rift Metallic, Infrared Tintcoat, and Diamond Sky Metallic. Exclusive to the CT4-V, Rift Metallic color is an alabaster white-based color with a fresh greige hue. Meanwhile, Infrared Tintcoat is new cherry red color that catches the eye.
Also, the Diamond Sky Metallic color option saw a later availability compared to other hues, which began early this calendar year. It’s only available on models equipped with the Diamond Sky Edition Package, which is only offered on Premium Luxury models.
2021 Cadillac CT4 Rift Metallic
2021 Cadillac CT4 Diamond Sky Metallic
2021 Cadillac CT4 Infrared Metallic
The 2021 CT4 also sees the addition of 19-inch alloy wheels with polished finish (RT8), which are only available on Premium Luxury models equipped with the Diamond Sky Special Edition Package.
Interior
On the inside, the 2021 Cadillac CT4 luxury sedan sees the addition of Super Cruise for only for Premium Luxury and V-Series models. The self-driving package includes a leather-wrapped Super Cruise steering wheel along with HD Surround Vision.
The luxury sedan range also sees the addition of a 12-inch diagonal, color, reconfigurable digital gauge cluster as an option on Premium Luxury, Sport and CT4-V models (but not on Luxury models). The previously optional 8-inch diagonal DIC (Driver Information Center) has been deleted. All models are equipped as standard a dual digital display with an analog speedometer and tachometer as standard.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto have also been added as standard feature. The same goes for the new Buckle to Drive feature. For those unfamiliar, Buckle to Drive encourages seat belt use by preventing the vehicle from being shifted out of Park until driver seat belt is fastened. The functionality times out after 20 seconds and can also be turned on and off in Settings or Teen Driver menu.
Meanwhile, the rotary infotainment controller now has a jog functionality (allowing it to be pushed in four directions, rather than only rotated). On a lesser note, SiriusXM gains SiriusXM 360L functionality.
For the 2021 model year, the leather-appointed seating has been changed to Leather Seating Surfaces, meaning the entire seat is no longer wrapped in leather. Instead, some parts of the seat will be finished cloth.
For V-Series models, the center console decoration trim has changed from Pendulum finished aluminum to Twenty-Two Carbon Fiber. Additionally, steering wheel materials have been upgraded to Modena leather-wrapped steering wheel with Senza leather-wrapped horn pad.
Mechanical
The 2021 Cadillac CT4 continues to offer the same two engines as the 2020 model:
| Engine | Model(s) | Fuel | Aspiration | Driven Wheels | Transmission | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) | Axle Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L LSY I4 | 350T (Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport) | Gasoline | Turbocharged | Rear or All-Wheel Drive | 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 237 / 177 @ 5000 | 258 / 350 @ 1500-4000 | 2.85 |
| 2.7L L3B I4 | 500T (Premium Luxury) | Gasoline | Turbocharged | Rear or All-Wheel Drive | 10-Speed Auto (MQA) | 310 / 231 @ 5500 | 350 / 475 @ 1500-4000 | 2.85 |
| 2.7L L3B I4 | CT4-V | Gasoline | Turbocharged | Rear or All-Wheel Drive | 10-Speed Auto (MQA) | 325 / 242 @ 5500 | 380 / 515 @ 2000-4000 | 2.85 |
Meanwhile, the Brembo V Performance front brakes are now optional on the CT4 Sport model (they were standard for the 2020 model year). They are still available in Blue or Red calipers with a V-Series logo.
Packages
The 2021 Cadillac CT4 welcomes the addition of Diamond Sky Special Edition Package, which is exclusive to Premium Luxury models. The package includes:
- Diamond Sky Metallic exterior color
- Sky Cool Gray with Jet Black accents interior with unique Diamond Fall seat perforations and Centaurus aluminum center console trim
- 18-inch alloy wheels with Diamond Cut/Midnight Silver finish (Q7B)
- Wheels upgradeable to 19-inch alloy wheels with Polished finish (RT8)
- Available early 2021 calendar year
- Wheels upgradeable to 19-inch alloy wheels with Polished finish (RT8)
- Body-color rocker moldings and extensions
- Body-color rear lower diffuser
- Neutral-density tail lamps with gray-tinted transparent outer lens
- Brembo V Performance front brakes
- Blue calipers and alloy pedals
Meanwhile, the following features become standard on Luxury models:
These were previously not available on the base Luxury model.
2021 Cadillac CT4 Availability
The 2021 Cadillac CT4 went into production in late Q3 2020 at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan. As such, 2021 units are already on dealer lots. The plant has now stopped production of 2021 model year units as it undergoes a changeover to the 2022 model year in the midst of a chip shortage.
Looking ahead, we expect the first-generation CT4 luxury sedan to live on thru at least the 2025 model year.
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Comments
Really a nice looking car. I’ve grown quite fond of the 2020 CT4 that I purchased a few months ago. Unfortunately, the car has now spent about 1/4 of it’s time with me sitting at the dealership. I still love the car, the looks, the ride and nearly everything about it other than the issues. At around 600 miles, the A/C stopped working. Three days at the dealership and a new climate control panel and good as new. Around 2,100 miles, it developed a quite noticeable noise coming from the dash or engine compartment area. The car has now been at the dealership for nearly 2 weeks with zero luck finding the source of the noise. It actually sounds like two angry squirrels fighting in the dash. No drivability issues, but I can’t live with that noise. So I went online and got an offer to buy the car for nearly $3,000 more than I paid. So away she is going.
Replacement? Since I’m a little soured on the Cadillac right now, I’ve decided to go with something we sell at the dealership I work for: Volvo S60 T8 Inscription. I was ready to pull the trigger on a 2021 Buick Encore until my boss ran the lease numbers by me. Let’s just say the 24 month lease was so attractive that I could no longer say no. To top it off, with the type of driving I do, I will be about 90% gas free using the electric mode. But no matter, I still feel like a sell-out. Maybe in 2 years when my S60 lease is up, Cadillac will have a few more electric sedans being offered where I can come home.
BTW: both times my CT4 was in for work, they gave me a brand new XT4 Sport (blue one and now a black one). All I can say is after driving the XT4 as much as I have, I would NEVER buy one. This may be one of the worst driving vehicles I’ve ever been in. And GM can stick that 9 speed up their you know what. It’s worse than the 8 speed in my CT4!
XT4 is terrible indeed. I didn’t believe how cheap it was until I drove one last year.
Cadillac should make cars to keep people satisfied. I fear who buys a first Cadillac and it is a XT4 will never buy another one.
Sigurd: When the XT4 was first being introduced, I thought it would maybe be my next ride. I ended up going with a 2018 Buick Encore preferred and that was a terrific car! Two and a half years with zero issues ever. Now I’ve been driving my CT4 for about 3 months and have really grown to like it very much. Just disappointed in the issues. So the first time I took the CT4 in and they pulled up in that ugly bright blue XT4, I thought great. This will be a great way to test it out. I hated the color from the second I laid eyes on it, but was really surprised at how badly it drove. Ok, maybe it was just that one or the color clouding my judgment. Nope. Second time the CT4 went in last week, they pulled up a brand new black Sport XT4. Ok I thought. Here’s my chance to see for sure. Nope. Just as bad as the blue one. That 9 speed is really the biggest thing (worst) for me. But the car also has a really soft suspension that crashes through any dips or humps causing the suspension to bottom out easily. Yet it’s ride is not very good. At least an older floaty Cadillac or Buick would ride like a dream with the very soft suspension. Not the XT4. Compared to my 2018 Encore, the XT4 is a joke.
Although my CT4 was not able to get fixed, it was/is a real joy to drive off in that after driving the XT4 for nearly two weeks.
Fabulous car. I leased a 2020 CT4, Dark Moon Metallic Beige interior. I can Honestly say there is nothing I do not like about this car.
I owned two CTS prior to this and this is by far the best one ever.
sds1961: I’m glad you like your CT4 so well. I actually love my CT4, but I’m not one to put up with issues no matter if drivability or just annoyances. This holds true to any brand and although I’m loyal to GM more than any other company, I just can’t tolerate issues like mine has. I tried to buy another CT4 (although in black with less options than mine has), but it seems like that dealer wasn’t too interested in earning my business. So I’m giving the Volvo a try and will see how it does. It’s only a two year lease, so that’s not bad and the payment is really great.
Thanks for the advice! I found what I was looking for!