You definitely need to drive the V-6 CT5. I was not impressed with the 4 but the V-6 is a completely different story.

 

I happened to take your advice as my wife's XT5 was in for a repair and I took a V6 CT5 loaner. Indeed very different to the 4 cylinder, smoother and quieter. I still notice the jerk in the take off: the ride is definitely softer than the CTS. I have decided that my grand daughter will inherit the CTS as she learned to master the roads with it and has an affinity for it. It is sad that these cars depreciate so quickly and by so much: handing it over to her with a Cadillac extended warranty makes good sense all round. Thanks for your input.

 

The 2.0T or 3.6 is ATS/CTS is fast enough for most who don't want to spend more $.
The 2.0T in CT4/CT5 is step back in perf, but the cost is lower.
If you need/want faster, get the 2.7/CT4 or 3.0/CT5. If you also want sporty, then look at the new V JR.

Also remember that with CT4/CT5, the Lux is like a Base and Prem Luxury is more like a ATS/CTS Luxury.

 

I agree I have a 2018 CTS 2.0 and recently had a 2020 Premium Luxury Ct5 as loaner, The new 2.0 is dog compared to the 2.0 in the CTS. I will still probably get a Ct5 when my lease is up but it will have the TTV6 and 2 tone interior, the all black interior in the one i drove was not appealing

 

I need to go back and drive the base CT5 for suspension comparison. I took one test drive back in March and then ordered a CT5-V. The magnetic ride control was a big draw for me as I was introduced to the concept of magnetorheological fluids as an Air Force landing gear researcher back in the 1980s. It was originally scheduled for production the week of March 30 and was finally built in June.

Now I have two very different Cadillacs.

 

I will reiterate that the 3.0 is a very impressive engine, and works very well with the 10 speed.

 

I have 2017 CTS Platinum 3.6 NA. I saw CT5 in a few YouTube reviews. CT5 looks to me too much of an imitation of other brands. CTS had some elegant uniqueness. I even started to like CUE.
In what "department" is CT5 supposed to impress me? Performance? Maybe... Features? No! Luxury? No! Bargain price? No!

 

I have 2017 CTS Platinum 3.6 NA. I saw CT5 in a few YouTube reviews. CT5 looks to me too much of an imitation of other brands. CTS had some elegant uniqueness. I even started to like CUE.
In what "department" is CT5 supposed to impress me? Performance? Maybe... Features? No! Luxury? No! Bargain price? No!

I agree: the new CT5 in any guise looks generic. The CTS I won has the last vestiges of Cadillac design, loved by many and also unliked in some cases. I no longer seek speed or fast 0-60 figures but the itch is well taken car off by my CTS in sport mode; good in normal drive. It's V6 propels it along nicely. The CT5 I drove did have one advantage: it was a slightly smooth ride that the CTS, especially on our neglected city streets. Currently there are a couple of new high end CTS models on my Cadillac dealer's lot. I am very tempted as the prices are good and both cars are top of the line.

 

I just saw a CT5 on the street today: it doesn't look like a $50-70k car, it looks like a $30-50k car. Disappointing....

 

You sound like someone who doesn't own the latest Cadillac. Go test drive a CT5-V (50-60K, not 70K) and report back.
.

 

Another argument, unfortunately, against the new CT5: if you fully load CT5 with features, it comes above $63k. For $75k, you can get Genesis G90 with 5 liter engine and VIP-level luxury.
I love my CTS and I want to stay loyal to this great American brand, but Cadillac, please make your cars as objects of desire, not "me too" imitations.

That screen in the middle of the dashboard looks like an glued, afterthought, ipad. I saw it in some other cars for many years. It looked less classy than my CTS. And now CT5 has the same.

Exterior look: CTS is muscular and aggressive. Where is that aggressiveness in CT5?
CT5's C-pillar quarter-window (I don't know if that is how it's called) looks especially bad! No class/elegance!

 

Another argument, unfortunately, against the new CT5: if you fully load CT5 with features, it comes above $63k. For $75k, you can get Genesis G90 with 5 liter engine and VIP-level luxury.
I love my CTS and I want to stay loyal to this great American brand, but Cadillac, please make your cars as objects of desire, not "me too" imitations.

That screen in the middle of the dashboard looks like an glued, afterthought, ipad. I saw it in some other cars for many years. It looked less classy than my CTS. And now CT5 has the same.

Exterior look: CTS is muscular and aggressive. Where is that aggressiveness in CT5?
CT5's C-pillar quarter-window (I don't know if that is how it's called) looks especially bad! No class/elegance!

So please give us your road test review of a $60K CT5-V vs the $75K Genesis G90.

 

[So please give us your road test review of a $60K CT5-V vs the $75K Genesis G90. ]

My CTS is about 3 years old and I was thinking a little bit about replacing it. But from what I see in CT5, my CTS is not yet outdated, neither inside or outside.
Not ready for a new car yet... the reviews will have to wait... there are plenty of those on YouTube.

 

I will chime in that there is nothing really luxurious about the CT5 premium luxury. It doesn't ride luxurious, it rides very stiff and sporty, which is arguably a good thing but that's another story.
There is absolutely nothing "luxurious" about how it plods over smooth pavement as if it's cracked up, and about how stiff and twitchy the steering is.
The features available are all pretty much available on any other car in top trim. I think we are beyond the realm of "luxury cars" really being a thing anymore unless one has the means to splurge for a Bentley, etc.
These cars come down the same line as a Chevy. GM is a corporation, and its brands are an illusion. It's all the same brand, and the dealer network is hit or miss (mostly miss) regardless of what nameplate they stuck on your particular vehicle.

 

I agree with you 100%, though I would put Lexus in there. They are made on a different line, with specially picked and specially trained employees. They have less tech and power than competitors, but they are just nice inside, and stay nice for years and years due to the high quality of materials and workmanship.

 

I love my 18 CTS, and looking at the CT5 there isn't a lot, as in nothing, that I like better than the CTS. Jump to a "V" just so that it's not a crappy car? Nobody likes the non "V" versions from the engine to the handling. Nobody is in love with the looks. It's fine. In photos it looks stupid, in real life it does look better, but not great. That C pillar is so stupid. They tried so hard to fit it in and it's criticized by everyone. Nobody says hey look at that awesome design element. Gotta wonder where their design team heads are at when they work so hard to fit something in that everyone thinks makes it look cheap. My CTS hasn't had any mechanical issues so I hope to keep in until if I'm lucky GM has their new lineup of electric sedans and maybe one is affordable and fun. Not gonna pay 80K for a Caddy, If I spend that much I'm moving to another brand. I've owned Caddy's for over 20 years now, so this is coming from a loyal owner, not some troll.

 

No not taken in by the XT5, it's actually the least favorite Cadillac I've ever owned, and I've owned Cadillac's for 25 years now. But as stated I really like my CTS. You also keep referring to cars that are obsolete which is irrelevant to this thread. I agree the XTS and the CT6 were/are pretty nice vehicles. I'd take a CT6 over a CT5 any day. The CT6 is IMO nicer inside and out than the CT5. But they canned the CT6. And that's my point, which seems to also be your point that those were some great vehicles. But this thread is about whether you prefer the CT5 vs CTS, and I for one much prefer my CTS over the CT5. The cars you talk about being great are gonzo, discontinued and never to return. So what are your thoughts on the CT5?

 

I think the CT5 is leagues better in the looks department than the CTS, which I found to have weird proportions.

I think others agree, too. I get asked about it every single time I pump gas, at least 3 times a week at a stoplight, and in parking lots.

Best reaction so far at a state park parking lot “That is the hottest looking Cadillac I’ve ever seen. $100k?”

 

I can respect what they did, but also am disappointed.

The car is bigger, but has less space than competitors. The car has a sportsback design, but a typical sedan trunk. Sloped roof, but a horribly designed tacked on piece of C-pillar trim. Escala-ish design but full of huge fake vents that remind me of a Honda. The rear leg room is great, but the height is horrible. The V isn't a V anymore, and the Blackwing version doesn't have the "Blackwing" engine. Interior is Atypical for its segment, but better quality than the CTS. No longer has CUE, but new infotainment isn't as innovative as CUE.

All around critics and consumers alike love it, like the comment above stated people really like the design.

 

I took my CTS in for a wheel alignment and my friendly salesman offered me a smoking deal to switch for a new CT5. Again, I got behind the wheel of a top ranging CT5 with a four pot under the hood. No thanks. i have driven the V6 version already and would not opt for anything but. I am more tempted to take up the V6 CT6 he has on offer as it is nearer to the CTS in look and feel and at the price it is being blown out at, better value. My wife's XT5 is leased and is due back in December. The replacement is more expesnive and not as nice in many ways so we are looking at the Audi Q5 as its replacement. Smoking deals on those at the moment.

 

I took my CTS in for a wheel alignment and my friendly salesman offered me a smoking deal to switch for a new CT5.

What's a smoking deal on a CT5 looking like these days?

 

You know, a few years back auto journalists would trash cars for giant gaping black plastic voids up front. But now it's the trend having copious amount of black plastic / fake air intake up front. Out with the fog lights and in with piano black mesh. When you take a close look at the CT5 black plastic it's weird in design. Take a close look where the large scoops are by the lights. What's with the shape of the intersecting plastic there? El'cheapo. It's like they are competing with Lexus for the most use of plastic mesh. I guess it's old school thinking, but since when did so much plastic become luxury. Of course it's a matter of taste, and some Caddy owners will love the CT5 while others won't. But I highly doubt they will be winning over many Mercedes owners with this design considering the Mercedes interior quality and technology pretty much blows away the CT5 in all ways.
Really with Cadillac's EV transition coming I don't think they care a lot about the current lineup and are pouring all their effort into the electrification of the brand. See how that goes.

 

Out with the fog lights and in with piano black mesh. When you take a close look at the CT5 black plastic it's weird in design. Take a close look where the large scoops are by the lights. What's with the shape of the intersecting plastic there? El'cheapo.

I don't see this as an issue to be honest. All the parts are well integrated in flow and design. Times change and so does design...think big chrome bumpers...I'll take the black mesh over that...guess it's a personal preference thing.

Here is a different and more knowledgeable reviewer imo of the CT5 V

 

It's funny to come into a new forum and see how current owners feel about their brand. I hear the same complaints on the BMW forum where I frequent a lot. I am a current BMW owner and have owned over 13 and currently own 3 now in my driveway.
I am considering switching brands now because of costs and can't decide on what BMW fits my needs. I actually like the CT5V and appreciate the style and lines of car. I don't care about 0 to 60 times and the fastest cars because I can't ever drive a car to its full potential in today's cars. Roads are horrible and traffic also. I do like sporty looks and good sound from exhaust though. I've driven cadillac before and am always impressed with how they drive.
I wonder if it's just our mentality getting stake and time for a change that makes us start finding fault more than it's the designers that need changing. Food for thought....

 

The only way to properly get a CT5 is with the V-6 and loaded. It is then a extremely nice car to drive.

 

U need to drive the 3.0 tt ct-5 0-60 in 4.2 sec

Had to do a dealer trade to get my CT5. Had to have the V6, Parking Package and Maple Sugar Interior
.

That 3.0tt is worth every penny