Your daily driver deserves a weekend gig. 2022 Cadillac CT4 houses a 2.7L dual-volute turbocharged I4 engine with 325 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, while CT4-V Blackwing offers a Cadillac-exclusive 3.6L Twin-Turbo V6 with 472 horsepower and 445 lb.-ft. of torque. Under the hood is either a 237-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a turbo 2.7-liter that makes up to 325-hp in the top-spec V-Series trim. That model, by the way, shouldn’t be confused with the speedier CT4-V Blackwing model, which we review separately. Our biggest criticism of the CT4 is one we have made of other Cadillac models: the interior materials and ambiance don’t match luxury-branded competitors, which offer a more premium look and feel.
ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION
Buyers can choose between two turbocharged four-cylinder engines: A 237-hp 2.0-liter powers the base Luxury and mid-range Premium Luxury and Sport models, while a 2.7-liter is optional in the Premium Luxury and standard in the 2022 Cadillac CT4. It makes 309 horsepower in the former and 325 horses in the latter. The smaller of the two engines is paired to an eight-speed automatic while the larger four gets a 10-speed. Rear-wheel drive is the standard arrangement and rare in this segment.
Rivals such as the Audi A3, BMW 2-series Gran Coupe, and Mercedes A-class are all based on front-drive chassis. The CT4 offers an all-wheel-drive on all models as an option. We’ve driven the CT4-V and found it to be athletic, eager, and quick, although we would have preferred more refinement from the 10-speed gearbox. Even in this sportiest guise, the Caddy’s suspension handles potholes without punishing occupants and delivers sharp, rewarding handling that any car enthusiast can appreciate.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND REAL-WORLD MPG
Both of the 2022 Cadillac CT4‘s turbocharged four-cylinder engines provide decent fuel economy. Rear-wheel-drive models with the 2.0-liter are rated as high at 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Opting for all-wheel drive drops the highway number by 2 mpg and the combined number by 1.
The more powerful 2.7-liter engine is less efficient but not by much, with the rear-drive model coming in at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CT4’s key rivals—the Audi A3, the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz A-class—all boast similar fuel-economy ratings. For more information about the CT4’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS
Inside the 2022 Cadillac CT4, Cadillac has wisely switched to a more user-friendly control setup versus the largely touch-sensitive interface found on the ATS. Although the interior design and the quality of the materials at first appear attractive, they are ultimately unremarkable. Cabin space is tight for adults, especially in the rear seats, but Cadillac makes several luxuries features standard even on the base trim, including 12-way power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Moving up through the range provides more desirable features, such as leather upholstery, magnesium paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors.
PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS
All CT4s comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest CUE software. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces come standard, as does an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Cadillac offers navigation on all models. It comes bundled with a 14-speaker Bose stereo system that replaces the car’s standard eight-speaker arrangement.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE
$45,490–$46,590
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
166 in3, 2727 cm3
Power
325 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
380 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 187.2 in
Width: 71.5 in
Height: 56.0 in
Curb weight: 3650–3800 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.9–5.1 sec
100 mph: 11.6–11.8 sec
¼-mile: 13.4–13.6 sec
Top speed: 165 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 23/20/28–29 mpg
