2022 Cadillac CT4

2022 Cadillac CT4

The CT4 is Cadillac’s smallest sedan, with room for five and a range of engines from mild-mannered to spectacular. In 2022 the CT4 lineup grows with the addition of the CT4-V Blackwing. It’s a sport sedan to send shock and awe to the Europeans, with 472 horsepower that can propel it to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds on its way to 189 mph.

This year the CT4 also gains driver-assistance called Super Cruise, which allows limited hands-free driving on a network of meticulously mapped highways.

The CT4 lineup starts with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 making 237 horsepower, mated to an 8-speed automatic. Next up is a much more powerful 2.7-liter version of that turbo-4, making either 310 or 325 horsepower in the CT4-V model, mated to a responsive 10-speed. These powertrains come with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Blackwing, which is rear-wheel drive only, uses a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6, mated to the 10-speed automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox.

The CT4’s rigid structure helps make its handling nimble. Top versions get thorough upgrades: The CT4-V’s magnetic dampers, Brembo brakes, and attention to cooling and aerodynamics are impressive.

The 2.0-liter gets very good gas mileage with an EPA rating of 23 mpg city, 34 highway, 27 combined with rear-wheel drive, while AWD only drops it by 1 mpg. The 2.7-liter turbo-4 gets 22/31/26 mpg with RWD and 21/29/24 mpg with all-wheel drive, while the CT4-V, with 15 more horsepower, gets 20/29/23 mpg with RWD and 20/28/23 mpg with AWD. The Blackwing gets 16/24/19 mpg with the 10-speed automatic and 15/23/18 mpg with the 6-speed gearbox. Every CT4 needs premium unleaded gas.

The CT4 hasn’t been crash-tested yet, but standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, rear park assist, automatic high beams, and a rear-seat reminder. Upper models gain standard front parking sensors and reverse automatic braking. Optional safety equipment includes a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

Model Lineup

Made in Michigan, the CT4 comes as Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, CT4-V, and CT4-V Blackwing models.
Starting at $34,840, the CT4 Luxury comes with synthetic leather front seats with power adjustment, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, satellite radio, a wi-fi hotspot, wireless smartphone charging, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

For $39,740 the Premium Luxury adds real leather, ambient lighting, more adjustment for the seats, and 18-inch wheels. AWD adds about $3,000.

The Blackwing is about $60,000, which is cheap for that kind of performance. It has bigger Brembo brakes, magnetic dampers, sport seats, and 18-inch wheels performance tires.
The CT4 warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Exterior

The CT4 is lithe, even with its boxy rather than sleek fastback profile, which makes it different from the larger CT5 sedan. The headlights have both horizontal and vertical directions, giving a signature look that combines well with a trapezoid-shaped grille.

On the sides, a character line stretches slightly upward from the headlights all the way to the rear spoiler, and that really works well, giving the CT4 a rakish look and feeling that it’s moving while standing still. The vertical taillights match the headlights with a small horizontal touch, and the deck complements the grille. The dual or quad exhaust tips subtly say power.

The Blackwing has a mesh grille and larger front air intakes, but it really brings the attitude with its carbon-fiber aerodynamic packages. A rear diffuser looks like it means business.

Interior

The CT4’s interior has a subdued look, with a focus on the functional, with controls in good locations, and the 8.0-inch touchscreen centrally located.

The Blackwing has more style, with sport seats having contrast stitching, and trim that’s carbon fiber.

The power front seats, 12 ways for the driver and eight for the passenger, are supportive, and comfortable for all shapes.

The rear seats are small, with not quite enough leg room and marginal head room. The trunk is small as well, at 11 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

The 2.0-liter turbo-4 makes 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic. We haven’t been able to drive a CT4 with this engine, but we’ve felt its power in other GM cars, and it’s frisky enough.

The 2.7-liter turbo-4 makes 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque in the Premium Luxury, and 325 hp/380 lb-ft in the CT4-V. It’s strong at low revs, if a little coarse. The 10-speed transmission is programmed well to the engine’s powerband, at least, as the acceleration is responsive. The CT4-V can zip to 60 mph in a quick 5.1 seconds.

If it’s fun you’re after, there’s no beating the Blackwing, with its 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 delivering 472 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. That translates to 0-60 mph in a breathtaking 3.9 seconds. This engine is plenty refined and is a blast at any rpm level–and that optional 6-speed manual transmission makes it old-school special. It does rev matching on the downshift, and full throttle upshifts, high technology that sure isn’t old school. This car is such a beautiful brute that it’s the transmission we would choose, if our driving area in the Blackwing included lots of country roads. The 10-speed automatic would be more relaxing in the city or around town, of course.

The CT4 rides on the same rigid and balanced chassis as the Chevy Camaro (also the CT5). Its handling is agile, with excellent steering feel; the CT4-V has magnetic dampers that bring a ride to match the cornering, along with bigger brakes, more cooling, and available aerodynamic packages.

Final Word

The 2022 Cadillac CT4 runs the gamut from track star to daily driver. Base models have lots of equipment but milder road manners; the Blackwing is a top-notch sport sedan, with the performance numbers to back it up.

 

—by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection