Cadillac CT4
Cadillac CT4
Cadillac CT4

2021 Cadillac CT4

Pros: Fine handling with precision steering; strong performance of 2.7-liter engine

Cons: Cramped back seat; small trunk

CG Says: The 2021 Cadillac CT4 adds standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and safety alert seat to the base Luxury model. There is also new wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and an available high-definition 12-inch instrument cluster.

Magnetic Ride Control suspension and limited-slip differential were formerly exclusive to CT4-V, but are now optional for the Sport model. Newly available for CT4 is Cadillac’s Super Cruise, a hands-free, semi-autonomous driving aid that can control the car while traveling on freeways and now includes the ability to change lanes.

The Cadillac CT4 debuted for 2020 as a replacement for the brand’s recently departed ATS compact car. The CT4 is a four-door sedan that retains the basic rear-drive architecture of the ATS, but has revised suspension, new powertrains, and fresh styling.

The CT4’s base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 237 horsepower. The step-up engine is a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that develops 310 hp, or 325 in the sporty CT4-V model. (Note that Cadillac is also planning to introduce a super-performance CT4-V Blackwing model—with a twin-turbo V6 and an available manual transmission—for 2022.) The 2.0-liter engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic, while the 2.7 has a 10-speed auto. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available on all models.

Also included is a new generation of Cadillac’s CUE control interface that incudes over-the-air software updates. Available safety features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, reverse automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Cadillac’s re-imagined entry-level car suffers from some typical shortcomings for its class, such as a cramped back seat, and it doesn’t quite match the all-around finesse of its primary European rivals. However, it costs significantly less than those rivals, and it boasts athletic handling and a surprisingly gutsy 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine.

The Facts
Class Premium Compact car
Body Style(s) 4-door sedan
Passenger Count 5
Drive Wheels rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Cadillac
Nation of Manufacture USA
Base Prices Luxury: $34,390
AWD Luxury: $36,990
Premium Luxury: $38,590
AWD Premium Luxury: $41,790
Sport: $39,690
AWD Sport: $42,290
V-Series: $45,890
AWD V-Series: $46,990

Base Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport)
Horsepower
237
Std. Transmission
8-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
23
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
32-34

Optional Engine
turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (CT4-V, optional Premium Luxury)
Horsepower
310 (325 CT4-V)
Std. Transmission
10-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
20-21
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
28-31

Cadillac CT4-V
2021 Cadillac CT4-V
NHTSA Ratings
Overall - NA
0%

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Crash - NA
0%
Side Crash - NA
0%
Rollover - NA
0%

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