2021 Cadillac CT4 Review

Name: 2021 Cadillac CT4 Review
Brand: Cadillac
Price: 24315 USD

Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury Sedan Exterior Shown

+120

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.

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Cadillac CT4 model years

Cadillac CT4 for Sale

2022
2021
2020

Cadillac CT4 types

Sedan
V

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2021 Cadillac CT4 Review

byBrent Romans^{Senior Manager, Written Content
Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at Edmunds and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.}

Pros

Sporty acceleration
Up-to-date technology features
Powerful engines still net good fuel economy

Cons

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

What's new

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

Overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac CT4 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$199/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

6.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

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.

Comfort

6.5/10

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.

Interior

6.5/10

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.

Technology

7.5/10

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.

Storage

7.0/10

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.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? 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.

Value

7.0/10

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

5.5/10

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.

2021 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:

Luxury
The base Luxury trim comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (237 horsepower, 258 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include:

17-inch wheels
Proximity keyless entry and ignition with remote start
LED headlights
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Simulated leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
Eight-speaker sound system
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Premium Luxury
The Premium Luxury trim is similar to the Luxury but with more of the CT4's available options detailed below. It has the 2.0-liter engine as standard. Optional is a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder (310 hp, 350 lb-ft) matched to a 10-speed automatic. Other features include:

Auto-dimming mirrors
18-inch wheels
Rain-sensing wipers
Leather upholstery

Sport
As the name implies, the Sport trim (only available with the 2.0-liter engine) gives the CT4 a more sporting and athletic look and feel with:

Brembo brakes
Body-colored exterior trim such as door handles and rear spoiler

V-Series
The top-tier CT4 V-Series basically combines the Premium Luxury and Sport trims. It also packs a more powerful version of the 2.7-liter engine (325 hp, 380 lb-ft) as well as:

Mechanical limited-slip differential for improved traction
Performance traction management, an improved traction and stability control system
Sport-tuned suspension
Adaptive suspension dampers (enhance ride comfort and handling; rear-wheel-drive CT4s only)

Notable option packages for the CT4 include:

Technology package

Air ionizer
Digital instrument cluster
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

Bose Premium Audio package

Bose audio system
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Integrated navigation system

Climate package

Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated steering wheel

Driver Assist package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CT4 and the car in front)
Enhanced forward collision mitigation system

Driver Awareness Plus package

Lane keeping assist (steers the CT4 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

Super Cruise (a semi-automated driving system that allows for hands-free driving on select highways; late availability)

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Cadillac CT4.

5 (72%)

4 (21%)

3 (0%)

2 (7%)

1 (0%)

4.6

14 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxury and Sport Combined

Jscheu, 12/06/2020

2020 Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

My All Wheel drive Premium Luxury CT4 surprised me by how well it handles on the road, both straight way and especially curves. In a 6 inch snow this past week, I actually felt safer the way it hugged the road and handled than my 4 wheel drive truck.Safety features galore.Even though there is not much room in back for passengers, by moving the front seats up.some provided enough leg …

Way better than expected!

CT4 to go go go, 12/31/2020

2020 Cadillac CT4 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I have a CT4 Luxury. Before this car I had a 2014 CTS Coupe (3.6L) which I also bought new. While this car is a little smaller, it is so much to drive. It really feels like a sports car. I don't bother with surveys, in this case it was worth my time. I first drove a CT5, I prefer the CT4. My only negative comment it my own fault. My last Cad had the BOSE system. I miss that, the …

Awesome CT4

SDS61, 11/28/2020

2020 Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Ct 4 is awesome, Great styling inside and out, smooth driving handles well at all speeds. Acceleration is great. Solid Fit and Finish. A great vehicle overall!

Fun on four wheels

W.S., 12/01/2020

2020 Cadillac CT4 Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I was an early adopter on the ATS. 2013, 15 and 17 versions. They were all great drives. Just traded for a 20 Sport finish. Nicer interior, but it does feel like a smaller car. I preferred the 2.0 L in the ATS than the CT4. I do notice a loss of power in acceleration. The motor sounds louder, almost as if it's laboring to respond. Reminds me of my 1990 Chev Cavalier. A little …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Cadillac CT4, so we've included reviews for other years of the CT4 since its last redesign.

See all 14 reviews of the Cadillac CT4

Write a vehicle review

2021 CT4 Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Luxury

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,395
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$199/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the CT4 models:

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.

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2021 Cadillac CT4 Review

2021 Cadillac CT4 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac CT4 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which CT4 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Cadillac CT4 models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Cadillac CT4.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxury and Sport Combined

Way better than expected!

Awesome CT4

Fun on four wheels

2021 CT4 Highlights

Safety

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2021 Cadillac CT4 Review

2021 Cadillac CT4 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac CT4 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which CT4 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Cadillac CT4 models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxury and Sport Combined

Way better than expected!

Awesome CT4

Fun on four wheels

2021 CT4 Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Cadillac CT4 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Cadillac

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac CT4 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}