CADILLAC CT5 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Cadillac refreshed the CT5's range for the 2025 model year. While it slightly improved the car's exterior look and installed a technologically advanced infotainment system, GM didn't modify the engine lineup.

The luxurious American brand had to replace the former CTS lineup in 2019 since it became obsolete and uninteresting for its customers. Fortunately, with that model, it managed to attract younger buyers to the brand. They were more focused on technology and performance than on luxury features and amenities offered by the former DeVille and Eldorado models. As a result, the CT5 competed against premium European vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Furthermore, with the available all-wheel-drive systems, it successfully faced the Audi A4 quattro versions. Fast forward to 2023, and the CT5 become more attractive to the brand's buyers thanks to the new technologies that GM installed in the vehicle.

There was no need for significant upgrades for the car's exterior since customers liked it. Still, GM considered refreshing the front fascia by adding a new lower and wider grille. It was complemented by a new bumper fitted with a light-gray slim lip spoiler at the bottom. To create an even stronger sport sedan look, the automaker introduced new LED headlights with a new stack-up signature lighting for the daytime running lights that flanked the front fascia. From its profile, the fastback shape remained the same, but its wheels got a new design that made the car look sportier. Depending on the version, customers could get the car with a rear deck spoiler and four rectangular exhausts that peaked underneath the bumper, flanking the rear diffuser.

Customers found the most significant upgrade for the vehicle in the cabin. GM installed a wide 33" display on the dashboard. It arranged the instrument cluster and the touchscreen for the infotainment system under the same curved piece of glass on top of the dashboard. The new infotainment unit featured 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability, running on Google technology. Between the front seat occupants, Cadillac installed a center console that housed the gear selector, the rotary knob for driving modes, and the one for the infotainment unit. In addition, a center armrest concealed a storage compartment. Behind, on the split-folding bench, the automaker made room for up to three passengers. However, the middle-seated one had to deal with the tall center tunnel that limited their legroom.

Under the hood, GM used the same engine lineup as on the 2020 CT5. Customers had to choose between a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo powerplant. Both versions were paired to a ten-speed automatic gearbox that sent the power in all corners. To improve safety, the automaker added a full array of technologies, including a blind-spot monitor, automatic emergency braking, and available traffic sign recognition and driver attention assist.

Revealed in 2019 as the 2020 year model, the Cadillac CT5 was designed to replace the ageing CTS.

Based on the same GM’s Alpha platform as its predecessor, the CT5 offered more rear cabin room thanks to the longer wheelbase and the more streamlined silhouette.

Aesthetically, the Cadillac CT5 drew inspiration from the Cadillac Escala released in 2016. While the Escala was longer and wider than the CT5, it looks like the impressive styling was perfectly adapted to the mid-size premium sedan. The Escala’s frameless side glass and the 22-inch wheels were not adopted with the CT5.

At the front, the CT5 featured dominant vertical running lamps and a black shield grille, with an overall aggressive and stylish look. As Andrew Smith the executive director of Global Cadillac stated, the lower beltline was designed to make the car look more spacious, and it did.

Available in three trim levels, the Luxury, the Premium Luxury and the Sport, it was pretty easy to differentiate the Sport from the Luxury just by looking at the exterior design.

The Sport trim level added unique exterior design features such as black carbon fiber trims, a rear spoiler, sport seats and standard 19-inch alloys.

Inside, the CT5 was fitted with premium, soft-to-touch materials. The controls have been simplified compared to the CTS and intuitively positioned, within easy reach.

Worth mentioning, the Cadillac CT5 was more affordable than the old CTS.

The Cadillac CT5 came with a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter and a more powerful 3.0-liter V6 unit that developed 335 hp. Both units were mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission.