On Wednesday at the Detroit Auto Show, Cadillac unveiled a refreshed CT5 sedan. With single-piece headlamps that stretch from the fender to the lower bumper, a few new standard safety features, and a sizable 33-inch gauge cluster/infotainment screen, Cadillac’s mid-sizer receives a new look.
It features a new Google-powered infotainment system that combines the tech company’s Maps product and voice assistant to the dashboard.
The screen configuration is comparable to that of the current Escalade and Lyriq EV. Additionally, it gives the CT5 a far more upscale appearance and feel than the CT4, which has a modest central infotainment screen. The CT5 doesn’t deviate too much from the sedan we’ve grown accustomed to in other respects.
Exterior
The majority of the changes to the new Cadillac CT5 sedan are exterior updates that see the front end redesigned. The front fascia has been brought more in line with the sport fastback profile, and this includes the use of stacked LED headlights with signature vertical lighting.
The grille these lights flank is also larger than before, creating a distinctive look. On the CT5 Sport, the grille is a performance black mesh item with black surrounds, while other trims get bright chrome accents.
At the rear, only the most eagle-eyed will spot the difference – it’s not a major overhaul, and things look very similar for 2025. The dual exhaust outlets have a different configuration, but that’s about all you can observe.
Press images include the Sport model, which has a rear spoiler as standard, and it’s likely buyers will still be able to add this to other trims at a fee. Other available extras should carry over, too, with items such as a power sunroof, monochrome emblems, gloss black accents, and black or bright chrome grille surrounds on the options list.
The Sport model is seen in press photos, and it’s likely that customers will still be able to add a rear spoiler to other trims for a charge. Other optional additions like a power sunroof, monochrome logos, gloss black highlights, and black or bright chrome grille surrounds should be available as well.
The exterior color options for the 2025 Cadillac CT5 have also changed, with the inclusion of two new shades, Deep Space Metallic and Typhoon Metallic, to complete the palette.
The most striking colors to paint your CT5 in will probably continue to be Midnight Steel, Black Raven, Radiant Red, and Wave.
We’re not sure if the Red Accent Package, which was added for 2024 to add a little flair to the lineup, will continue for 2025.
All Caddy CT5 trims, with the exception of the Sport, have 18-inch alloy wheels like with 2023 versions. Buyers who desire the Sport specification can pick between blue or red brake calipers, and all models can be upgraded to larger 20-inch alloy wheels.
The 2025 Cadillac CT5’s proportions aren’t expected to alter much, but the revamped styling and new equipment might have an impact on the curb weight and length specifications.
The Caddy CT5 features the following fundamental measurements for 2025: 194 inches in overall length, a 116-inch wheelbase, and a width that ranges from 74.1 inches without mirrors to 80.3 inches with them. The measured height is 57.2 inches.
Curb weight estimates for 2025 begin at 3,671 pounds, which is a little heavier than the preceding model. The Sport variants are probably going to weigh more than 3,830 pounds when fully loaded.
Interior
A brand-new screen in front of the driver is enormous, measuring 33 inches diagonally. This digital dashboard combines the instrument panel, central infotainment touchscreen, and a tiny secondary touchscreen to the left of the steering wheel in a single, curved pane of glass.
It is the same digital dashboard seen in the 2024 Cadillac XT4 compact SUV and the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV. Powered by the Android Automotive operating system, which includes Google Maps, Google Assistant, the Google Play store, and Amazon Alexa integrated in, the screen has a stunning 9K display.
The 2025 CT5 still supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, even though GM eventually intends to phase out support for both wireless phone-mirroring programs on future EVs.
The available WIFI hotspot has been upgraded from 4G LTE technology to faster 5G LTE cellular bands, making it one of the better ones for the 2025 model year.
Notably, Cadillac hasn’t given up on the traditional climate controls or the rotary dial that can be used instead of the touchscreen. Drivers who value the tactile feedback of knobs and switches and the ability to change settings without taking their eyes off the road will be quite happy with this.
Given that the average age of CT5 buyers is 62, we infer that a sizeable portion of the present CT5 owner population has no interest in hunting and pecking at those goddamn screens to adjust the fan speed. They won’t need to in the revised CT5.
Performance
The CT5’s base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 237 horsepower, but you can upgrade to a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 for 335 horsepower. The high-performance CT5-V features adaptive dampers, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and a 360-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine.
An automatic transmission with 10 speeds is used with both engines. All-wheel drive is an option; rear-wheel drive is the default. A rear-drive CT5 with a turbocharged four-cylinder sped to 60 mph in our testing in 6.6 seconds.
In 4.8 seconds, a rear-drive CT5-V reached 60 mph. Comparatively, the CT5’s main competitors, the BMW 330i and Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti finished the same test in 5.1 and 4.6 seconds, respectively.
The regular CT5 is less sporty and more gently sprung than those two competitors in terms of ride and handling. The V model changes that; its body control and ride-and-handling balance are on par with—if not better than—those of the Alfa and Bimmer.