You don't have to give up fun
in entry-level luxury segment

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 24, 2023) Debuting as a 2020 model, the CT4 sedan serves as an entry level vehicle to Cadillac’s luxury fleet, a role formerly played by the ATS sedan from 2012 through 2019. But don’t make the mistake of conflating “entry level” with “humdrum driving experience.”

Even the base trims — Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport — have received praise for their athletic performance, but to expand its limits, Cadillac also offers a V-Series version that takes horsepower and torque to further heights.

The base 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine puts out 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and there is a 2.7-liter turbo-4 available as an option that ups those figures to 310/360, respectively.

But the 2.7L turbo-4 in the 2024 Cadillac CT4 V-Series is tuned to 325 hp and 380 lb.-ft., which gets zero-to-60 mph times down into the 4-second bracket.

A Blackwing trim for the 2024 Cadillac CT4-V takes that performance to the extreme with a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 with horsepower at 472 and torque 445 pound-feet, but this review is based on the standard CT4 V-Series.

The turbo-4 in the 2024 Cadillac CT4-V earns mileage ratings of 20 miles-per-gallon city, 28 highway with all-wheel drive and 20/28 with standard rear-wheel, which are competitive numbers in the luxury small car segment.

The 2024 Cadillac CT4-V comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available as an option.

Brembo Brakes are standard (got to harness all that power), and Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is available.

Standard equipment in the 2024 Cadillac CT4-V include a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped V-Series steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, heated outside mirrors, alloy driver pedals, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and 16-way adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar support and side bolsters.

Standard safety features include forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, front and rear parking assist, enhanced emergency braking, lane-change alert, blind-spot alert, and a buckle-to-drive system that requires the driver to buckle the seatbelt before you can shift from Park to Drive/Reverse.



My test vehicle included the Super Cruise 2 Package that in addition to the hands-free driving capability also gives you HD Surround Vision, Lighting and Technology Packages, navigation, and Bose Premium Sound.

Other options on my test Cadillac CT4-V were a jet-black interior with leather seating surfaces, sunroof, 18-inch silver metallic alloy wheels, and the all-wheel-drivetrain.
The 2024 Cadillac CT4-V carries a starting MSRP of $47,095. Adding the options and $1,395 destination charge ran the total on my test model to $60,865.

That’s stretching an entry-level designation, but the base CT4 starts at under $34,000, which is very competitive with its competition in the compact luxury class.

What I liked about the 2024 Cadillac CT4 V-Series: The exterior has an impressive profile. Tech features are plentiful and user-friendly. Seats are comfortable, and the interior is quiet. The 2.7L 4-banger is a winner in the way of performance.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Cadillac CT4 V-Series: The backseat could use a little more room (only 33.4 inches for your legs). The trunk, too, is on the small side (10.7 cubic feet of cargo space). The interior could use a little more work and less in the way of hard plastics to keep up with its competitors in the luxury segment.

Would I buy the the 2024 Cadillac CT4 V-Series? With a starting price point under $50,000 the CT4 V-Series offers an appealing entry to the luxury class. It delivers more in the way of driving fun than the base CT4 but at a higher price.