CADILLAC CT5-V Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Cadillac wanted to keep the momentum of its CT5-V’s high sales numbers and, in late 2023, refreshed the mid-size sedan for the 2025 model year.

Cadillac was the epitome of American luxury cars for decades. When it turned its attention toward the sports sedan segment, it created some very attractive vehicles. One of them was the CT5-V, which the automaker introduced in 2019 for the 2020 model year. In 2023, this mid-size luxury car was Cadillac’s best-selling vehicle worldwide. As a result, the 2025 model year appeared on a rock-solid base that could help it continue its high-volume sales, even though the CT5-V was powered exclusively by internal combustion engines, not by electrons, in an era where EVs were running the sales charts.

One of the areas that GM improved on the CT5 was the car’s front fascia, which sported an even more aggressive look. On the sides, the tall and slim daytime running lights were no longer interrupted by the bumper but were a continuous line. The black upper grille was adorned by a black mesh where the brand’s crest took center stage. Lower, in the apron, the automaker created a second air intake underlined by a splitter in body color.

From its profile, the cab-rearward design of the CT5-V had the same shape with an extended roof sloped down towards the back of the vehicle. The black B-pillars made the car look more like a coupe than a four-door sedan. It wasn’t even a hatchback. At the back, the 2025 CT5-V’s design was not significantly changed compared to its predecessor. It still featured the same corner-mounted LED taillights that flanked the trunk lid. Lower, under the bumper, Cadillac installed quad exhaust tips.

But customers could feel the upgrade when they stepped into the vehicle, where they were greeted by a 33-inch curved display that sat atop the dashboard. Even though there were actually two screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment system, they looked like a single unit due to the common glass panel that covered them. The high-bolstered bucket seats covered in leather were supportive and comfortable at the same time, and the front passengers were separated by a tall center console that housed the gear selector and a few storage compartments, including the armrest. GM installed Android Automotive on the 2025 CT5-V, which was a big upgrade for the American brand. Still, Apple CarPlay users could link their phones to the vehicle, but they had to rely on Google Maps for navigation. In the back, the profiled-for-two bench seat was fitted with three headrests. However, the tall transmission tunnel that crossed the vehicle from front to back left little legroom for the middle-seated passenger.

Under the hood, the CT5-V was available with a choice of two bi-turbocharged engines. A two-liter powered the base model, while the other option was a three-liter V6. The CT5-V was available with either rear- or all-wheel drive and a ten-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard.

Blackwing was for Cadillac what the AMG or the M was for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, respectively, and when it was applied to the CT5-V, it became a beast with an ace up its sleeves against its two main rivals.

The CT5-V was Cadillac’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, and that result pushed the American luxury car maker to create a refreshed version of the lineup. But, besides the regular CT5-V powered by twin-turbocharged inline-fours or V6s, the mighty Blackwind brought a 6.2-liter V8 supercharged to the table. In addition, Cadillac offered the high-performance CT5-V version with a three-pedal setup, something neither this mid-size luxury sedan’s competitors could provide. Fortunately for Cadillac’s fans, the CT5-V Blackwing facelift didn’t have just some mild aesthetic touches here and there and a new color. It was more than that.

From the outside, the front fascia was the one that got the most attention from the exterior design team. The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing featured new daytime running lights that ran continuously from the upper side of the front fenders to the side scoops that flanked the upper grille. Lower, on the apron, the automaker added an aggressive-looking rectangular air intake flanked by triangular scoops that channeled air to the front disc brakes. As an option, Cadillac offered a carbon fiber splitter, part of the Carbon Fiber Package.

From its profile, the lowered ground clearance and the cab rearward design of the vehicle emphasized the CT5-V Blackwing’s aggressive stance. The black trim surrounding the window lines and the aerodynamically profiled side sills emphasized the car’s sporty appearance. Thanks to the sloped-down roofline towards the tall deck of the vehicle, the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing looked more like a coupe than a four-door sedan. Finally, at the back, the automaker added the option for a massive carbon-fiber spoiler mounted on the short deck. Lower, underneath the bumper, the top-performer version of the CT5-V lineup revealed two sets of twin rectangular exhausts mounted on the sides, flanking the rear diffuser.

But one of the most significant upgrades of the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing happened on the inside. At the front, the automaker installed a pair of high-bolstered sports seats with integrated headrests as an option. Besides the carbon fiber trims mixed with Alcantara and contrast stitching on the door panels and other parts of the cabin, Cadillac introduced a new 33-inch curved display mounted on top of the dashboard. There were, in fact, two units: an LCD fronting the driver for the instrument panel and a touchscreen above the center stack for the infotainment system. The system was based on Android Automotive OS and offered a few attractive features for those who wished to take their cars to race tracks. The car used telemetry data, analyzed the driver’s input, suggested race lines, braking, and accelerating points, and assisted them with videos.

Under the hood stood the same 6.2-liter supercharged from the non-facelifted version. The 668 hp (677 PS) powerplant sent its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic. Unlike its CT5-V brothers, the Blackwing version was an RWD affair only.

Cadillac took a luxury sedan and turned it into a hot-rod when it dropped the Corvette engine under its hood, but it did more than that.

For a long time, the American luxury sedans were just comfortable. Apart from their fuel-injection system, they had the same technology as a WWII car. It was no wonder that the Germans were all over them on the streets and in the sales charts. Then, Cadillac said, "that's it!" and forgot its regular customers from the AARP and turned its attention towards the younger generations. Then, the GM management realized that a powerful Cadillac is a better Cadillac. So, the performance Caddies were born.

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but the CT5-Blackwing says a lot about itself. Its headlights looked like it was from the Marvel world. Its broad mesh-grille was complemented by a lower one in the apron while the two vertical LED strips resembled two daggers from a silent killer. The design team added more spice in the back, including a carbon-fiber trunk-spoiler and, under the bumper, a multi-slat diffuser that hid four squared exhausts.

Inside, the carmaker tried to offer a sportier look for its customers. In a way, it did it by installing carbon-fiber trims on the door panels and the center console, but not on the dashboard. The instrument cluster featured a TFT display where the tachometer took center stage.

The CT5-Blackwing was the most potent street vehicle ever built by the American carmaker. Unlike its main rivals, its 6.2-liter supercharged engine was paired as standard to a 6-speed manual gearbox while a 10-speed automatic was on the options list.

The 2020 names for the Cadillac made a lot of people braking their tongues and brains figuring out what's about the new names and numbers. To get here simple, this is the CT5-V 2020 model.

The CT5 replaced the older CTS. The CT5-V didn't replace the CTS-V. The CTS-V had a 6.2-liter V8 engine (ZL1) while the CT5-V had half of that. Under the hood, there was a twin-turbo V6 engine.

The look of the CT5-V was slightly different than that of a CT5. For starters, the -V version had angrier LED headlights and air-scoops design inspired by performance vehicles. Like any other V series, the grille was completely black, with a black mesh and the big, Cadillac badge in the middle. Its entire presence was sporty. A set of Brembo brakes was fitted to the front of the car, and the red calipers could have been seen through the 19” light-alloy wheel fitted as standard.

Inside the CT5-V there was a big infotainment unit mounted on top of the center console. It supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The bucket-seats upfront provided good lateral support. The CT5-V was designed and built to compete against the European premium vehicles such as the BMW 3-Series, the Audi A4, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Some interior details were special. For instance, there was a special pocket for a mobile phone. It was installed in the center storage space, but poking out near the center armrest. It had a split line on one side that allowed a charging cable to be attached to the phone.

For the platform, the CT5-V received new amenities from the latest Chevrolet Corvette. The Magnetic ride control 4.0 version from the supercar was installed in the CT5-V.