2020 Cadillac CT5 AWD: American Luxury That Drives And Feels Like A German Sedan

Highlight: This is the luxury brand’s first vehicle with a hatchback-like (or fastback) design.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $59,395 (Base Model: $37,890)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bag; ABS; traction control system; a forward collision alert system; front pedestrian braking; automatic emergency braking; a rearview camera; OnStar; self-sealing tires; a safety alert seat; a teen driver safety aid feature; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Features (Luxury): 18-inch wheels; a 10-speed automatic transmission; remote engine start system; gas saving active fuel shutters; a dual zone automatic climate control system; a push button keyless ignition start-stop system; a keyless entry system; a manual operated day/night mirror;  a manual operated tilt/telescopic leather wrapped steering wheel; a 10-inch infotainment screen; a rotary controlled infotainment controller; pseudo leather seats; power front seats; carpeted floor mats; active grille shutters for fuel economy savings; driver control modes; in-vehicle WiFi system; rear folding split seats; and an air purification system

Standard Equipment (Premium): a lane change blind zone alert system; a memory operated driver’s seat; a 4-way power lumbar driver’s seat an automatic rear view dimming mirror; a rear traffic cross alert system; and a wireless charging system

Optional Features On Test Vehicle: 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder;driver and front passenger power lumbar massage seat; driver and front manual seat extender; dual sunroof; a 360-degree camera with a video recorder; a lighting package; semi-aniline leather; ally pedals; a navigation system; a a 15-speaker Bose premium audio system; climate package; a parking package; a stop-start system; a radar active cruise control system; automatic tightening seat belts; enhanced automatic emergency braking;  theft deterrent; vehicle inclination sensor; reverse automatic braking; steering wheel; automatic high beam headlights; a lane keep assist system with lane departure warning; a heads up display system; an evergreen metallic exterior paint color

Other Trim Levels:

Sport

V-Series

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 9-speaker AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Apple CarPlay/Android: Yes

Alexa: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes

USB Connectivity: Yes

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/237-hp (horsepower)

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 22-city/30-hwy

What’s New: The CT5 is all-new for the 2020 model year. The vehicle replaces the sharp-edged design CTS.

Why: Cadillac’s stylish midsize luxury sedan, with its long hood and short fastback-designed trunk, is available in a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration.

The seamless shifting CT5 is available with two powertrains, a 4-cylinder or a 6-cylinder engine. Our test model was outfitted with the brand’s 335-horsepower, 6-cylinder twin turbo engine. The growl coming from underneath the hood was definitely tuned for driving enthusiasts, without being overly aggressive and with the right amount of power upon pressing the optional alloy gas pedal.

Moreover, the all-wheel drive model we reviewed was outfitted with a variety of driving modes. This is the first midsize Cadillac we’ve spent time with that feels and drives like a German engineered vehicles. Cadillac engineering team managed to find the perfect balance in terms of road feel and sports tuned suspension. The CT5 is so tight and agile it feels like BMW’s 3-series of the past, although the brand’s new vehicle is pitted against BMW 5-series.

Furthermore, Cadillac has gotten the interior of the vehicle right too. Critics have slammed the brand’s previous infotainment system. It was unreliable and overly complicated. This generation’s touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive, engaging and user friendly. There are numerous means to adjust the audio system with knobs, buttons and a console mounted rotary control.

And the snug seating is on point too. The front seat occupants are bound to find the perfect seating position with power massaging from seats, the leg extender and the body forming hugging seats. Furthermore, Cadillac has roomy rear seating area too, with plenty of legroom.

This Cadillac can also be outfitted with such options as a spoiler and 20-inch wheels to enhance the overall look and profile of the CT5.

But: Despite this being the best midsize car that Cadillac has ever built, there is still an opportunity to enhance the vehicle.

First, every time we got behind the wheel of the vehicle the optional ventilated driver’s seat was activated. That was quite odd. We’re wondering in cooler weather, will the heated seats activate automatically. And where is the standard navigation system? This feature is an option on all of the trim levels.

Also for a near $60,000 price tag, why was a power pull down trunk feature not available. Added to that, what happened to optional rear heated seats? The competitors in this segment offer both features.

Moreover, both Mercedes-Benz and Genesis offers a replay feature, when listening to a program and/or song via their audio system. Cadillac needs to step up their game in this area.

Lastly, Cadillac needs to expand the powertrain, offering a plug-in application. Moreover, the powertrain team needs to enhance the mpg and the fuel driving range in this vehicle too.

Verdict: We were smitten with this Cadillac. We’ve been waiting for decades for Cadillac to engineer and design a luxury vehicle that is on par and/or exceeds many of the vehicle’s in the segment. Cadillac has finally gotten it right. The CTS was no match against the imports. The CT5 is everything that the CT5 was capable of being. Stay tuned. We hear Cadillac’s signature SuperCruise system semi self-driving system is slated to be available on the 2021 model.

Competition: Alfa Romero Giulia; Audi A5; BMW 5-Series; Genesis G80; Infiniti G70; Lexus ES; and Mercedes-Benz E-Class