2025 Cadillac CT4-V: Between Sensible and Spectacular
The 2025 Cadillac CT4-V exists in a uniquely complex space in the brand’s performance lineup—a place where luxury meets speed, but only halfway. It’s the vehicle that wants to be thrilling without going full savage, polite rather than primal, and composed instead of chaotic. In short, it’s Cadillac’s idea of a “just right” sedan for drivers who crave a spirited drive without committing to the uncompromising madness of the Blackwing. With an as-tested price of $55,010, the CT4-V enters a fiercely competitive premium compact sports sedan field. Yet, it feels less like a defiant disruptor and more like a dutiful middle child—competent, capable, but lacking the flash that defines its family’s brightest stars.
Design and Presence: Elegance With Edge
Visually, the 2025 CT4-V carries itself with authority. Its sculpted exterior and sharply creased panels radiate confidence and maturity. Cadillac’s vertical lighting signature, defined grille, and angular rear end deliver a striking first impression that aligns well with the V badge. Deep Space Metallic paint ($625) and Satin Graphite 18-inch wheels ($600) further elevate its aesthetic appeal. This is a sedan that looks much more expensive than it is, blending luxury and aggression in a way that makes it feel at home in upscale neighborhoods and weekend track meets alike. But as much as it presents itself as a mini muscle car from the outside, the CT4-V remains restrained beneath the surface. It’s one trim spoiler away from looking like a CT4-V Blackwing, which makes explaining the difference to gearheads a regular task. Still, in terms of street presence alone, the CT4-V makes a memorable entrance—especially to those who are not already deep in the Cadillac performance rabbit hole.
Engine and Performance: Fast Enough, But No Fireworks
Under the hood lies a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine, pushing 325 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Those are healthy numbers, and they translate into respectable real-world performance. The CT4-V rockets to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and clocks the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds at 104 mph. That’s plenty quick for a four-door luxury sedan, even if it doesn’t quite stir the soul like the brawnier Blackwing. The engine’s character, however, is more “industrial efficiency” than “emotive excitement.” It delivers the goods on paper but lacks charisma in execution. In Tour mode, the transmission seems more concerned with upshifting for fuel economy than unleashing the torque curve’s full potential. Downshifts come reluctantly, and mid-corner acceleration feels bogged down unless you manually intervene or switch to Sport mode. When you do engage V-mode—Cadillac’s custom performance configuration—the CT4-V sharpens its claws, but never quite turns feral. It’s not that the car is slow. On paper, the 2.7-liter turbo is genuinely impressive, and the 380 lb-ft of torque available from just 2000 rpm means you have instant shove when needed. But the delivery lacks the sensory engagement you might expect from something wearing a V badge. It hums more than it howls, and the soundtrack from under the hood feels more like an emergency generator than an angry beast. Cadillac wisely included a 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, and you’ll likely be thankful for it every time you want to drown out the engine note with something more inspiring.
Chassis and Driving Dynamics: Polished Precision
Where the CT4-V really earns its keep is in the chassis department. This is a car that handles like it was engineered by people who care about the art of driving. With rear-wheel drive as standard, and an adaptive suspension setup that expertly balances ride comfort with composure, the CT4-V delivers a taut, controlled experience without being harsh. It’s an ideal commuter when the roads are pockmarked with potholes, and a playful partner when the curves start rolling in. The steering is sharp and communicative, and the car remains composed even when pushed hard. On the skidpad, the CT4-V managed 0.92 g—a solid number, though notably shy of the 1.04 g its Blackwing sibling can pull. That said, Cadillac’s engineers deserve credit for building a car that feels far more agile than its curb weight of 3607 lbs might suggest. Braking performance is also on point, with a 70–0 mph stop coming in at 156 feet. It may not set records, but it inspires confidence, especially with the available performance brake linings and blue-painted calipers for added visual flair. Where the car stumbles is not in ability, but in delivery. The CT4-V can corner well, brake confidently, and deliver strong acceleration—yet it rarely feels fun in a visceral, hair-raising way. There’s competence in spades, but the experience is more measured than memorable. It lacks the personality and sense of theater that define the best sport sedans.
Interior and Comfort: Luxe Goals, Cubicle Reality
Step inside, and the CT4-V’s biggest flaw becomes painfully obvious. While the exterior whispers Blackwing and the chassis hints at greatness, the interior screams “fleet car with ambition.” The dashboard and door panels are decked out in hard black plastics, with only a few bits of satin-finish trim attempting to elevate the atmosphere. The 8.0-inch infotainment screen feels undersized in this class and price point, especially next to rivals offering 10-inch or even 12-inch central displays. And while the available 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster (part of the $1350 Technology package) adds some tech-savvy flair, it can’t quite rescue the rest of the cabin from feeling dated and underwhelming.
That said, the CT4-V isn’t uncomfortable. The 18-way adjustable front seats are a highlight, offering multiple lumbar settings and available massage functionality (if you opt for Super Cruise, which was not included in our test car). Rear seat space is tight, but manageable for adults on short trips. Trunk space is a modest 11 cubic feet—fine for daily duty but a bit limiting for long-haul travel. What Cadillac gets right here is usability. Physical buttons control essential functions like climate and audio, and they’re intuitively placed. Wireless phone charging, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel (thanks to the $600 Cold Weather package) are standard or inexpensive upgrades. Rain-sensing wipers and other thoughtful touches help build the CT4-V’s case as a capable, comfortable daily driver. But luxury is about more than function—it’s about feel. And here, the CT4-V just doesn’t deliver the opulence or drama you’d expect from a Cadillac. It’s an ergonomic success story, but an artistic letdown.
Technology and Features: High-Tech But Held Back
The CT4-V isn’t shy on tech, though. Aside from the Bose audio system and digital gauge cluster, the car can be optioned with embedded navigation, a performance data recorder ($2100 with the Navigation package), and Cadillac’s semi-autonomous Super Cruise system. Unfortunately, our test vehicle skipped that last option, so we were left to do the driving ourselves—no hardship, but a missed opportunity to show off Cadillac’s autonomous prowess. The camera system, meanwhile, leaves something to be desired. The backup cam image quality feels like a throwback to 2015, not 2025, and stands in stark contrast to the otherwise clean graphics on the digital dash. These inconsistencies matter, especially in a segment where even base-level German sedans come loaded with crisp screens and seamless digital experiences.
Efficiency and Practicality: Better in Theory
EPA fuel economy ratings for the CT4-V stand at 23 mpg combined, with 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Those are decent figures given the performance on offer, but our real-world testing returned just 19 mpg—a bit disappointing for a four-cylinder turbo, especially given how often the car short-shifts itself into a fuel-saving gear. If you plan to drive the CT4-V enthusiastically, expect more frequent fill-ups than you might like. The smallish trunk and tight rear seating limit practicality somewhat, but for a single driver or couple who prioritize front-seat comfort and don’t need to haul much, it’s an acceptable compromise. Just don’t expect full-on family sedan functionality here.
Verdict: Almost Great
In the end, the 2025 Cadillac CT4-V is a car that does many things right. It looks good, handles well, and offers solid performance and comfort for the price. But it falls short of true greatness because it lacks identity. It’s too tame to satisfy performance purists and too plasticky to convince luxury buyers. For drivers who want a stylish, relatively quick rear-wheel-drive sedan that doesn’t demand too much from their wallet or nerves, the CT4-V is a solid option. But for those who want excitement, drama, and that intangible sense of occasion, the CT4-V remains stuck in the shadow of its Blackwing sibling.
