The Cadillac brand has been around since 1902. In fact, not only has Cadillac been around longer than many other automotive manufacturers, but it has produced vehicles that are longer than the competition as well. The 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 holds the title of the longest production car in history, stretching a full 21 feet in length. In fact, for many decades, Cadillac was known for very large, very luxurious vehicles.
The 2025 Cadillac CT5 is not exceptionally large, with a total length of just over 16 feet, depending on the version selected. It is, however, just as luxurious as anything that wears a Cadillac badge should be. But in a day and age where we’ve seen so many changes and shifts in what people are driving and why, how is a sedan like the Cadillac CT5 surviving? What is this upscale car doing that sets it apart from the competition?
While we may want to point to one particular aspect of the CT5 as the “absolute” factor that other sedans aren’t doing, perhaps it’s more of the CT5’s overall package that best speaks to its success in the market.
Reintroducing Today’s Cadillac CT5
The Cadillac CT5 is not a brand-new automobile. However, it made its debut for the 2020 model year, so it’s not as if the American driving public has been suffering through long years of a luxury vehicle clearly past its prime. Further, Cadillac has been keeping close tabs on what drivers actually want and proactively reimagined the 2025 CT5 to serve as what it is dubbing a “reintroduction” of the model. This includes a full facelift, including a new wide and low stance, a bolder front grille, and stacked vertical lighting for an overall sharper, bolder appearance.
But even in the automotive world, good looks can only take you so far. The overall driving experience has to be top-shelf as well. According to Alex MacDonald, CT5 chief engineer, “CT5 continues to redefine American luxury, and the enhancements for 2025 take it even further. The new advanced technologies enhance the driver’s personal connection in a sedan already renowned for its driving spirit, comfort, and technology.”
To that end, Cadillac has provided the 2025 CT5 with a slew of new features, including innovative driver assistance technologies like Blind Zone Steering Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and available Traffic Sign Recognition. Even Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology has been updated to include a Driver Attention Assist function to ensure greater peace of mind on the road.
Convenience is also an important factor in a driver’s life. To this end, Cadillac has provided the CT5 with a new 33-inch, 9K resolution LED touchscreen display that artfully wraps around the driver’s line of sight. With Google built-in and an available 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, drivers can access Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, providing hands-free access to every aspect of their lives.
The 2025 CT5 manages to take the concept of a driver’s “personal connection” several steps further than other vehicles, with technology that serves as a personal bodyguard and assistant. But what is driving the CT5 like?
The Cadillac CT5 Driving Experience
Drivers expect a certain type of ride from a luxury sedan. It should be fast, smooth, and quiet, with almost predictive levels of responsive acceleration, steering, and braking. The 2025 Cadillac CT5 delivers on all of these requests and then some. The standard power plant is a 2.0L turbocharged engine that delivers 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with only a whisper of effort, thanks to a dual exhaust system that keeps things cool and performing in top shape.
Those looking for a peppier ride may select an available 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine. This brings overall power up to 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque without impacting the amount of effort the driver puts into the process. Ideal for touring and cruising, this is the type of engine that reminds us how fun driving can be when the car acts almost intuitively.
All-wheel drive is available on the 2025 Cadillac CT5. While certainly not a strange option for luxury sedans in general, the CT5 incorporates all-wheel drive with features that enhance its performance. This includes a Driver Mode Selector with options for Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and a customizable MyMode, all of which adjust driving responses to match the conditions.
Greater stopping power can be added with available front Brembo V-Performance brakes, offered with red or blue calipers to match your CT5’s color palette. Available paint options include three new 2025 exterior colors: Drift Metallic, Deep Space Metallic, and Typhoon Metallic.
Taking It Up a Few Notches With the V-Series
The CT5 and the CT5-V are two very different versions of the same vehicle. But it’s impossible to mention all of the impressive things Cadillac has contributed to the world of luxury sedans without mentioning the high-performance CT5-V, which debuted alongside the CT5 for the 2020 model year.
The CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing represent the epitome of a performance luxury sedan. Equipped with track-worthy components, these vehicles go beyond what we typically think of when we think of a Cadillac. In fact, the 2025 versions of these two vehicles made their official public debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2024 as a nod to their impressive performance credentials.
This starts with the engines offered in each of the 2025 V-Series models. The CT5-V includes the same 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine from the CT5 lineup, upgraded to deliver 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the CT5-V Blackwing is blessed with a 6.2L supercharged V8 that brings 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque to the track. Controlled by your choice of a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, the Blackwing also includes standard Brembo front and rear brakes with V-Series graphics that warn others of the amount of power present.
Like the CT5, the CT5-V is offered with available all-wheel drive. It also includes standard features like performance traction management, launch control, and Magnetic Ride Control to remind drivers that this is not your grandfather’s Caddy…unless your grandfather had track cred.
The V-Series shares many of the 2025 CT5’s updates, including a new wide, low stance and 33-inch LED display screen in the cabin. Quad trapezoid exhaust tips are onboard for aspirating these high-performance engines, and carbon fiber detail options are offered for those who want their Cadillac to look extraordinarily cool.
What Is the CT5’s Magic Formula?
Drivers like choices. Drivers appreciate versatility, too. They also like things that make sense. Very few drivers enjoy those first few months of fumbling around, attempting to unlock all of the new features on their brand-new vehicle. The 2025 Cadillac CT5 takes care of all of these wants and needs. Drivers have plenty of choices and options, from selecting the engine they’d most like to test at highway speeds to choosing features that make them feel safe and secure on the road.
Furthermore, with technology that helps drivers stay on task and organized when they’re on the road, the CT5 provides peace of mind to many facets of drivers’ lives. And when drivers are looking for a little less peace and a little more speed, the CT5-V is ready to deliver. What makes the CT5 so outstanding? Perhaps it’s the fact that it can be exactly the vehicle so many drivers desire without changing its fundamental luxurious state of being. After all, it is a Cadillac.
