Driven: The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 2023 Is The Ultimate Performance Sedan
We don’t say this lightly; the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the perfect sports sedan. We wouldn’t change anything… except maybe make it a wagon. We could probably end the review there, but you might be wondering why we’re so taken with a performance car from a luxury brand focused on electrification and pioneering the next leap in autonomous driving technology.
The base CT5 is a competent luxury sedan. We loved the evolution of GM’s heralded Alpha platform and the smooth V6 powertrain when we first drove it. The interior had a few odd choices, but it was still a fun experience. But we knew it was the ideal starting point for a more sporty model.
When the CT5-V was first revealed, the car enthusiast community was completely underwhelmed, especially when comparing the 360-horsepower V6 to the 640-hp supercharged V8 in the outgoing CTS-V. Then Cadillac unleashed the Blackwing, and everything was forgiven. This could be the best sports sedan America has ever produced, but it could also go down in history as the best sports sedan of all time.
Sizes in Between
The CT5’s tweener size is part of what makes it such a great driver’s sedan. It is 194.9 inches long, which is nearly six inches longer than a BMW M3 (189.1 in), but an inch and a half shorter than an M5. Cadillac chose to prioritize interior space over trunk space, so the back seat is larger than most compact sedans.
Cadillac sedans have always been quite attractive, but the American luxury brand refined its design with each iteration until it arrived at the CT5-V Blackwing. Sharp angles and bold available colors, such as our tester’s Blaze Orange Metallic, contribute to an aggressive appearance. Customers can go as bold as they want with colors like Electric Blue and optional bronze wheels, or they can go as stealthy as they want with various silvers and whites that will help this supercharged beast fly under the radar.
Z06 Power
This is most likely the final supercharged V8 sedan with rear-wheel drive. Cadillac’s competitors have all already switched to turbocharging and all-wheel drive, and Caddy is hoping for an electric future. The engine is a familiar 6.2-liter LT4 V8 found in the Escalade-V and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (and previously in the C7 Corvette Z06). It has 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, which is more than an Audi RS7, BMW M5, or Mercedes-AMG E63. It is also more audible than the three Germans.
The Blackwing is even more unique because it comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A 10-speed automatic is available for $3,175 (including adaptive cruise control), but we can’t imagine going that route when the manual is so much more fun. The clutch pedal is quite heavy, but we quickly got used to it. There’s so much torque available that it’s nearly impossible to stall, and first gear is so long that crawling along in stop-and-go traffic never feels jerky. The gear lever slides easily into each gate, almost as if the car anticipates your shifts in a giddy plea to keep accelerating up to the claimed top speed of 200+
Alpha Platform For Alpha Drivers
Starting the Blackwing is difficult because it lacks the impressive AWD grip of its German competitors. Having said that, the launch control acts like a strict teacher, directing all 668 screaming children into a coordinated effort. Cadillac claims 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds for the manual and 3.4 seconds for the automatic; we’d gladly trade those two-tenths for the pleasure of rowing our own gears.
Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and Track modes are available, with unique settings for the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, and brakes. After customizing and selecting their ideal settings, the profile can be saved into a My Mode or a V Mode, which can be accessed via a steering wheel button. A dial on the steering wheel switches between various traction control modes, including Race 1, Race 2, Sport, Dry, and Wet. We didn’t mess around with the traction control much because 668 hp was tough enough to handle on its own with a little help from the computers. The 305 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rear tires do an admirable job of maintaining traction, but the engine has a tendency to slip on demand.
Every aspect of the Blackwing begs to be pushed to its limits. The exhaust note is ferocious, and the acceleration can pin passengers to their seats. In terms of steering, all GM Alpha platform vehicles have always been known for responsiveness and communication with the driver, and this car is no exception. Unlike many Germans, the Blackwing communicates with the driver through the steering wheel, as one would expect from a hydraulic steering rack (even though it uses an electric unit).
Magnetic Ride Control is standard and keeps the car planted through corners without degrading the ride. With the exception of Track Mode, the dampers provide a smooth, Cadillac-like ride. This is not only a fantastic driver’s car, but it also works well as a comfortable cruiser.
A Focused Interior
When compared to an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, the Blackwing’s interior will not impress. Having said that, it’s filled with premium materials and a driver-centric, complication-free layout. A standard 10-inch touchscreen is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a nice-sounding AKG Premium Audio system with 16 speakers. Cadillac’s relic rotating knob control for the infotainment system is missing on the manual-equipped Blackwing to make room for the shifter, and we didn’t miss it. The touchscreen is easily accessible, and physical buttons for climate control and other vehicle functions are plentiful below it.
Leather-clad performance bucket seats are standard, but our tester included the $2,800 High-Performance seats, which feature more substantial bolstering and carbon fiber trim. These seats are extremely comfortable and grippy, with heating, ventilation, and massage features. Semi-Aniline seats cost $8,080, but we thought the mid-level leather was sufficient.
A Family Muscle Sedan
As previously stated, the CT5-V Blackwing has a fairly spacious backseat, though headroom is slightly less impressive due to the car’s sloping roofline. The rear seat has 37 inches of legroom, nearly an inch and a half more than the M3. The trunk is a little small for a sedan of this size, measuring only 11.9 cubic feet. In comparison, the smaller M3 has a trunk volume of 13 cubic feet. We’d love to see Cadillac release a wagon variant to replace the CTS-V Wagon, but it appears unlikely.
Verdict: The Perfect Performance Bargain
The 2023 CT5-V Blackwing is far from an affordable performance sedan, costing $91,995 ($95,170 with the automatic). However, when compared to a similarly powered German model such as the Audi RS7 ($120,900), BMW M5 ($109,900), or Mercedes-AMG E63 ($112,800), it is a steal. Our car had a lot of options, but it was still under $100,000 before destination. The last xDrive M4 we tested cost more, and the aforementioned mid-size options can easily approach $150,000 with options.
There may never be another car quite like the CT5-V Blackwing, so if you can afford it, get one now before they’re gone. Our only reservation is with the smaller CT4-V Blackwing. Its twin-turbo V6 won’t sound as good, but at $60,495 to begin with, it’s roughly two-thirds the price of its bigger brother. It may have “only” 472 hp, but 0-60 takes only a half-second longer. If the larger Blackwing’s price is too high to justify, consider the CT4.
If money were no object, we’d choose the CT5-V Blackwing over any other sports sedan in history. It’s the ideal combination of performance, driver connectivity, and comfort. Cadillac has created the ideal luxury muscle car… just in time for the electric revolution.
