2021 Cadillac CT4
MSRP range: $33,395 - $44,895
- 2021
- 2020
2021 Cadillac CT4 Review
- Sporty acceleration
- Up-to-date technology features
- Powerful engines still net good fuel economy
- Many advanced driver safety aids don't come standard
- Small back seat, even for the class
- Overly firm ride quality
- Too much cheap-feeling plastic and too many hard surfaces given the CT4's price
- Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking now standard
- Available customizable digital instrument cluster
- Super Cruise (Cadillac's semi-automated driving system) is available
- Part of the first CT4 generation introduced for 2020
What's the CT4? This is probably something most people don't know the answer to. Cadillac has rejiggered the name of its sedans recently, and consequently there's not a whole lot of equity behind the 2021 CT4. Effectively, it's Cadillac's entry-level sedan that's priced below the larger CT5 and meant to rival the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Cadillac certainly has the basics right for the CT4. It boasts a decent collection of technology features, two available turbocharged engines, optional all-wheel drive, and a V-Series trim level that boosts the car's sport sedan credentials. But we've found the CT4 lacks the polish and refinement those rival sedans often deliver to make them more compelling picks. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth review of the 2021 CT4.
Our verdict | |
The Cadillac CT4 needs a lot of work before it can genuinely compete with other entry-level luxury sedans. Its promise of grandeur is spoiled by ergonomic errors, costly options and a downright uncomfortable ride. The CT4 pales in comparison to modern rivals that do a far better job of providing modern comfort at a similar — or often better — price point. | |
How does the CT4 drive? | |
The CT4 certainly has power, and it can get going in a hurry. Our all-wheel-drive test car with the upgraded 2.7-liter engine accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. Unfortunately, the driving experience is better on paper than in reality. The turbocharged engine wheezes when pushed, and it lacks responsiveness when you need it. The brake pedal on our test vehicle audibly clicked upon almost every touch, but worse was its wooden feel that made it difficult to consistently come to a smooth stop. Most aspects of the CT4 seem reluctant to do what you ask. Its steering is unceremoniously heavy, and its chassis struggles when asked to transition from one quick turn to another. The 10-speed automatic transmission issues thumpy shifts, and the automatic engine stop-start system is one of the loudest around. | |
How comfortable is the CT4? | |
The vehicle we tested came in the Premium Luxury trim, but we found little evidence to back up that lofty claim. The CT4 feels neither premium — the seats lack support — nor luxurious — the leather feels generic — and it gets worse from there. Drivers will notice that road noise is present inside the cabin at nearly all speeds on nearly all surfaces. That's disappointing in a vehicle at this price, wearing this badge. Worst of all, though, is the choppy suspension. You don't just hear every crack and bump in the road; you feel them. There are many affordable economy sedans that provide a much smoother ride. It's simply uncomfortable. | |
How’s the interior? | |
There are some head-scratching issues that mar an otherwise tolerable cabin. Getting in and out of the front seat is no problem, and there is ample room inside. The back seat, though, is tight even for the compact class. The roof is low, the sills require a high step-over, and the doors don't open very wide. Passengers 6 feet or taller will not be comfortable in the back for long, and they will likely find it need to contort themselves to get out. Elsewhere, buttons and controls for the driver seem to have been placed wherever there was space with little thought to making the experience pleasant or convenient. We often found ourselves searching for the desired button or dial, and the rotary controller to operate the main interface feels cheap. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Our test CT4 came with an integrated navigation system and 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system. Both are optional, and both stood out as highlights of our time with the car. Navigation is easy to read and follow on the 8-inch touchscreen, and the stereo has a wide range of adjustability and nice acoustic quality. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity comes standard, and connecting up with Bluetooth is quick and easy. The CT4's integrated voice recognition system also works quite well. While it can't recognize natural language, it's simple enough to issue the right command for directions and some in-car functions. Adaptive cruise control is optional and wasn't included with our test car, which is unjust considering it's a standard feature on many mainstream vehicles. | |
How’s the storage? | |
When it comes to utility, the CT4 is mostly usable for everyday tasks. But there are a lot of caveats. The trunk is wide and deep but only amounts to 10.7 cubic feet of total capacity, which is low for the class. It also lacks handles in the trunk to fold down the second row of seats that many rivals have. Inside the cabin, small-item storage seems fine at first glance. There's a decent-size center console, and our test vehicle came with a smartphone charging station. But that same console is only acceptable compared to other small luxury sedans, and the cupholders and door pockets are on the small side. Child seat attachment points are accessible, but the tight second row does not accommodate bulky child seats. | |
How economical is the CT4? | |
The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive CT4 with the 2.7-liter engine will get 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is underwhelming for a four-cylinder luxury sedan. But the good news is that our test car easily beat that number in our real-world driving, posting an impressive 29.5 mpg on our standardized 115-mile evaluation route. | |
Is the CT4 a good value? | |
We didn't notice any shakes or rattles coming from the inside of the cabin while driving, but there is little else worth praising. There's too much cheap-feeling plastic and too many hard surfaces given the CT4's price. Our test car came to $46,690, which simply isn't justifiable considering the quality of rivals for the same money. Cadillac provides a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage, slightly better than average for the class. Rust protection of four years/50,000 miles is shockingly low for a luxury brand. | |
Wildcard | |
It's difficult to point to any aspect of the CT4 that is unique, innovative or even distinctive. It feels like you made a Xerox of a Xerox of a modern luxury sedan. The driving experience is far from dynamic or rewarding, and that could be forgiven if the CT4 provided an excellent ride — but it doesn't. The CT4 tries to coast on the cachet of its Cadillac badge. Instead it risks cheapening it. | |
Which CT4 does Edmunds recommend?
Get the V-Series. It's the most expensive version of the CT4, but the payoff in additional power and sporty handling is worth it. We also recommend getting the optional Driver Assist and Driver Awareness Plus packages because they add desirable driver aids such as adaptive cruise control.
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Cadillac CT4 models
The 2021 Cadillac CT4 is available in four trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport and the top-flight V-Series. Each comes well equipped, but the higher-level trims open up the available options. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all trims, and all-wheel drive is offered as an option. Feature highlights include:
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2021 Cadillac CT4 pricing
in Ashburn, VALuxury
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
Edmunds Suggested Price$36,147
1 for sale in 20147
Premium Luxury
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
Edmunds Suggested Price$44,076
2 for sale in 20147
Sport
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
Edmunds Suggested Price$45,149
1 for sale in 20147
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $33,395
- MPG & Fuel
- 23 City / 34 Hwy / 27 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.0 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 237 hp @ 5000 rpm
- Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 187.2 in. / Height: 56.0 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 77.7 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 71.4 in.
- Curb Weight: 3422 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 10.7 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite CT4 safety features:
- Teen Driver
- Provides configurable vehicle settings and reports to help ensure safer driving habits of young drivers.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Warns you of a vehicle in the car's blind spot by illuminating lights in the car's mirrors.
- Buckle to Drive
- Ensures the driver's seat belt is fastened before he or she shifts out of park.
Cadillac CT4 vs. the competition
2021 Cadillac CT4
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Cadillac CT4 vs. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
The A-Class is one of our favorite small luxury sedans. Compared to the CT4, it boasts a classier interior and a more helpful infotainment system. The CT4 fitted with the available 2.7-liter engine is considerably quicker than the base A 220, though Mercedes does offer a sport-tuned AMG A 35 that has 302 horsepower. You might be able to get a better deal on the CT4, but the A-Class is the better car. Read Edmunds' long-term A-Class test for even more detail.
Cadillac CT4 vs. Genesis G70
The Genesis G70 is slightly larger than the CT4 but similarly priced. It's sportier and more fun to drive than the CT4, especially when optioned with its 365-horsepower V6 engine. Genesis' better warranty is another draw. Both the G70 and the CT4, however, suffer from small back seats and trunks.
Cadillac CT4 vs. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
BMW recently came out with the 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is priced lower than the 3 Series. Despite the name, it's actually a sedan, but with coupe-like styling. It has sharp handling and more standard advanced driver aids than the CT4. Neither car has a particularly smooth ride, but there's more of a sporting payoff with the 2 Series Gran Coupe.
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FAQ
Is the Cadillac CT4 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 CT4 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.6 out of 10. You probably care about Cadillac CT4 fuel economy, so it's important to know that the CT4 gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg to 27 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the CT4 has 10.7 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Cadillac CT4. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Cadillac CT4?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Cadillac CT4:
- Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking now standard
- Available customizable digital instrument cluster
- Super Cruise (Cadillac's semi-automated driving system) is available
- Part of the first CT4 generation introduced for 2020
Is the Cadillac CT4 reliable?
To determine whether the Cadillac CT4 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the CT4. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the CT4's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Cadillac CT4 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Cadillac CT4 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 CT4 and gave it a 6.6 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 CT4 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Cadillac CT4?
The least-expensive 2021 Cadillac CT4 is the 2021 Cadillac CT4 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,395.
Other versions include:
- Premium Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $37,595
- Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $33,395
- V 4dr Sedan (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 10A) which starts at $44,895
- Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,695
What are the different models of Cadillac CT4?
If you're interested in the Cadillac CT4, the next question is, which CT4 model is right for you? CT4 variants include Premium Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), V 4dr Sedan (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 10A), and Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of CT4 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more