2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Overview
Cadillac’s V-series high-performance lineup is led by the dynamically excellent and totally brutish 2023 CT5-V Blackwing, which is our current favorite among today’s sports sedans. A supercharged V-8 engine pumps out a stout 668 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. That combination is good enough for a 3.6-second rush to 60 mph in our testing; a 10-speed automatic is available, too, but we implore you to consider the stick. The car’s handling is just as entertaining as its explosive acceleration, and when pushed, the CT5-V Blackwing is a deft partner for experienced drivers. It faces off against heady competition such as the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-AMG E63, both of which offer more name recognition, but the CT5-V Blackwing ultimately comes out on top thanks to its relatively low price and its expertly tuned chassis.
What’s New for 2023?
To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the brand, Cadillac will add a 120thAnniversary Edition to the CT5-V Blackwing lineup. Only 120 will be produced, and the first one has already sold at charity auction for $250,000. The limited-edition model comes with special doorsill plates and other commemorative badges incorporated into the exterior and interior design.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
CT5-V Blackwing
$85,000 (est)
While a 10-speed automatic transmission is optional and technically makes the CT5-V Blackwing a little bit quicker, we’d stick with the standard six-speed manual for the more engaging driving demeanor. We’d go easy on options, but we’d splurge on the high-performance sport seats and sueded microfiber interior upholstery. If the CT5-V Blackwing’s price is too high for your budget, consider the smaller and cheaper Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, which we review separately.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Even though Cadillac is calling it the CT5-V Blackwing, it isn’t powered by the newly developed twin-turbo Blackwing V-8 from the now discontinued CT6-V. Instead, an updated version of the CTS-V’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 making a whopping 668 horsepower pairs to either a six-speed manual or an optional 10-speed automatic. The CT5-V Blackwing is a sharp-handling sedan that also can be set to ride quite comfortably despite its sporting intentions. Standard magnetorheological dampers sense the road surface and your driving intention and adjust accordingly. Acceleration is explosive, and in our testing the CT5-V Blackwing with the six-speed manual hit 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds; we estimate it will be capable of hitting 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds when equipped with the optional automatic transmission.
More on the CT5-V Blackwing Sedan
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With the optional automatic transmission, the CT5-V Blackwing earned EPA fuel-economy ratings of 13 mpg city and 22 mpg highway; going with the six-speed manual drops the car’s highway fuel-economy estimate to 21 mpg. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, our manual-transmission test vehicle managed an impressive 24 mpg. For more information about the CT5-V Blackwing’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The CT5-V Blackwing shares its cabin with the standard CT5, which gives the performance sedan a reasonably spacious interior with plenty of features and niceties. We’ve found the regular CT5’s cabin to be a mix of materials—some fine, some decidedly downmarket—but Cadillac dresses the CT5-V Blackwing to better match its much higher entry price. All models come with genuine leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats and 18-way power adjustments. High-performance sport seats with leather and microfiber upholstery are optional and come bundled with matching door panel inserts. The Blackwing’s trunk is the same size and shape as the regular CT5’s, into which we fit five carry-on cases during our testing. The gauge display includes a lap timer feature; a performance data recorder is an optional extra.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The CT5-V Blackwing comes with the same 10.0-inch touchscreen display and CUE infotainment interface as the standard CT5. This system also features a secondary rotary controller on the center console for drivers who prefer not to touch the screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard, as will a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone charging. While the standard CT5 gets a Bose stereo system as an option, the Blackwing comes with a 15-speaker AKG system as standard. All models also come with a 12.0-inch digital gauge display with unique V-series-specific startup animation and a head-up display.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features are available, both as standard and optional, but several are not available if you choose the desirable manual transmission. For information about the CT5-V Blackwing’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
When compared to rivals such as the M3 and the C63, the Cadillac’s standard powertrain warranty offers coverage for a longer period of time and mileage. But Cadillac only covers the first service visit, unlike BMW, which offers three years of complimentary maintenance.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: Base/As Tested: $87,090 /$114,645
Options: carbon-ceramic braking system with red calipers, $9000; tan and black semi-aniline leather seats with carbon-fiber seatbacks, $6090; carbon-fiber package 2, $5230; carbon-fiber package 1, $4100; performance data and video recorder, $1600; Electric Blue paint, $625; parking package, $610; faux-suede-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, $300
ENGINE
supercharged and intercooled V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 376 in3, 6162 cm3
Power: 668 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 659 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-inch vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc/14.6-inch vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) TPC
R: 305/30ZR-19 (102Y) TPC
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.0 in
Length: 194.9 in
Width: 74.1 in
Height: 56.6 in
Passenger Volume: 98 ft3
Trunk Volume: 12 ft3
Curb Weight: 4092 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.6 sec
100 mph: 7.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.6 sec @ 125 mph
130 mph: 12.4 sec
160 mph: 21.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 7.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 205 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 321 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.02 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 13 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 24 mpg
Highway Range: 410 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 15/13/21 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
