With the 2020 CT5, Cadillac is looking to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. luxury sedan market. The new CT5 sedan replaces the 2019 CTS in the automaker’s lineup and will be available this fall. Cadillac’s newest sedan will offer two new powertrains, and the CT5 will be the second Cadillac to feature Super Cruise—a semi-autonomous, hands-free cruise control.
With a decent projected fuel economy, an array of safety and infotainment features, and a driver-intuitive design, the CT5 is looking to gain the attention of those who still want an elegant sedan in an SUV-saturated market. With several safety options and available all-wheel drive, the CT5 is Cadillac’s answer to the distracted-driver world for consumers who want the features of an SUV without the rugged design.
The 2020 Cadillac CT5’s profile is that of a fastback with the wheels drawn out to the corners, giving the car a sporty yet old-school boss persona. The CT5’s lower beltline and updated design also pairs better with the large wheels when compared to the outgoing CTS.
According to the automaker, designers wanted the CT5 to be instantly recognizable as a Cadillac, with a sleek, luxurious exterior. As part of the modernized 2020 design, vertical LED headlights and taillights will remain, but new horizontal lines are added to differentiate the CT5 in the rear.
The CT5 has a driver-focused interior that is balanced for comfort and control, Cadilla says. More foot room was added, and the automaker took an architectural approach to the interior’s design. More driver-intuitive features were added to make for a smoother operating experience, one of those being a 1080p, full-HD, 10.0-in. touch screen.
Luxury versions of the CT5 are available with an open-pore wooden trim. A Platinum equipment package offers seat bolstering with 18-way adjustment for the front seats, which can be both heated and ventilated with a massage function.
Available driver-assistance and collision-avoidance features on the new CT5 include lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a full 360-degree camera, along with Cadillac’s signature Super Cruise. A Bose audio system and wireless charging are infotainment options.
The base engine on the new CT5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a GM-estimated 237 horsepower. Also available is a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 engine with a projected 335 horsepower and a robust 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The CT5 is designed on Cadillac's Alpha platform that supports both the ATS and CTS, but the CT5 rides on a longer wheelbase. Rear-wheel drive is standard in the CT5; all-wheel drive will also be available.
The CT5 features a front multi-link strut and 5-link rear suspension; both were enhanced for 2020. Passive dampers come standard. The CT5 comes with 18-, 19-, or 20-in. wheels. Run-flat tires and the option of self-sealing tires are available.
The CT5 also features a snow/ice setting for the powertrain, as well as a customizable program called My Mode, which adjusts the transmission mapping, steering, braking, and the torque on the all-wheel-drive system depending on driver preferences and road conditions and allows drivers to choose their preferred ride mode.
Cadillac hasn’t released fuel-economy estimates for the 2020 CT5, but the automaker expects the car to achieve better mileage than the outgoing CTS thanks to the use of the 10-speed automatic transmission. For reference, the CTS with 4-cylinder engine achieves 22/30/25 mpg (city/highway/combined). Additionally, the V-6 engine in the 2020 CT5 is smaller than the one in the CTS, which is rated at 16/24/19 mpg.
Cadillac is taking safety to a new level with Super Cruise when it becomes available after the initial launch. The company states this feature is the only authentic hands-free driving program on the market. However, drivers still must pay attention. If an interior camera detects the driver is not paying attention, alerts will sound, and display messages tell the driver they must retake control of the vehicle.
If, for some reason, the driver is not responsive, Super Cruise can pull the vehicle onto the shoulder, bring it to a complete stop, and contact OnStar for immediate emergency assistance. This could be a life-saving feature for drivers with certain health conditions, as well as for those on the road around them.
Other standard safety features include forward-collision alert, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Optional safety elements such as run-flat or self-sealing tires, lane-keeping assist, a 360-degree camera system, full-speed automatic emergency braking, auto parking assist, and a rear camera mirror will be available.
Cadillac's CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system can be controlled by either a rotary wheel located near the gearshift or by interacting with the 10-in. touch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come standard on the 2020 CT5.
Available tech features include a head-up display, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless charging. An array of driver-assistance features will be available, such as adaptive cruise control as well as lane-keeping assist.
Super Cruise, GM's Level 2 autonomous-driving feature (one that can steer, accelerate, and brake without a driver needing to keep their hands on the wheel) will be available later, but as of now, not at the initial launch.
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