Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Auto

2020 Cadillac CT5-V

BY Benjamin Yong, 01 Dec, 2020
  • 2020 Cadillac CT5-V

A descendent of the first car to don the “V” badge back in 2004, a fire-breathing CTS with a V8, the V-Series is the brand’s own in-house performance tuner.

 

READ OUR ONLINE ISSUE!

 


Think modern day Cadillacs are still the same cars your grandfather drove around in? The 2020 CT5-V would like a word.


A descendent of the first car to don the “V” badge back in 2004, a fire-breathing CTS with a V8, the V-Series is the brand’s own in-house performance tuner akin to the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division or Lexus F. And its latest product might just be the prettiest one yet.

 

“I just love the design,” says Phillipe-André Bisson, product communications manager at General Motors during a virtual media tour of the vehicle in October.
“It’s unique: there are so many Bimmers, Audis and Mercedes [on the road], but you’re only going to see a handful of Cadillacs, especially one like the CT5-V. And why should you pay extra for something that offers you the same performance and less comfort?” he says, referring to the often harsh ride of competing models.
At first glance, immediately noticeable is the fastback-style sloping rear roofline to the Escala flagship concept debuted at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance show. The sporty profile is accentuated by a long stretched out wheelbase and oversized 19-inch wheels.


Walk around to the front and the car appears to be permanently scowling at onlookers, wearing slim, slanted full LED headlamps. Below, the LED daytime running lights are vertically oriented as a design signature and matched at the rear with vertical LED taillights.


Additional exterior hints indicate this is not another run-of-the-mill sedan. Unlike the regular CT5 variant, the V has blacked-out accents, mesh grill and air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and subtle yet functional trunk spoiler helping the rear tires stay glued to the pavement whether bombing down the Sea-To-Sky highway or lapping around the local racetrack.


Cadillacs have long been lauded for its plush interiors and the trend continues here, the vehicle possessing, “elegant, wide surface lines and simple interfaces, focusing on quality, attention to detail, authenticity of materials and impeccable craftsmanship,” according to an official product description.

 

Upscale and soft touch materials abound, such as 18-way power adjustable heated and ventilated front seating upholstered in available perforated leather, genuine carbon fibre trim and thick leather-covered sport steering wheel. Occupants might also be surprised at the amount of technology now offered, from a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to “Magnetic Ride Control 4.0.” The latter is a special type of suspension setup utilizing variable magnetic fields to adapt to changes in the road surface on the fly, providing an unmatched level of handling precision and comfort.


Next year, buyers will have the option of adding Super Cruise autonomous driving functionality. A combination of maps and sensors afford a truly hands-free experience, complete with automatic lane changes, on 300,000-plus kilometres of compatible freeways in Canada and the United States.


While going toe-to-toe against rivals like the BMW M340i and Audi S4 is no problem courtesy of a 360-horse twin-turbo V6 engine, the real beauty of the CT5-V is how customizable it is for whomever is behind the wheel. Accessible via the central display, V-Mode personalization allows users to independently change steering sensitivity, suspension stiffness and even the loudness of the exhaust — something the neighbours should appreciate.


Rear-wheel drive is standard, although the all-wheel drive model (+$2,200) is better suited to Vancouver’s wet climate thanks to the ability to send torque to any slipping wheel instantly increasing traction. Starting at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $49,798 the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V is sold in a wide assortment of metallic colours ($900) including Satin Steel, Evergreen, Shadow, Wave, Royal Spice as well as a non-metallic Velocity Red and Red Obsession Tintcoat ($1,395).


 

Highlights


MSRP: $65,523


Motor: Turbocharged 3.0-litre V6


Horsepower: 360 @ 5,600 rpm


Torque (lb-ft): 405 @ 2,350 rpm


Gearbox: 10-speed automatic


Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive


Fuel economy: 17.6 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

MORE Auto ARTICLES

2020 MAZDA MX5

2020 MAZDA MX5

It’s hard to believe four years have already passed since the fourth-generation Canadian release of everyone’s favourite affordable roadster, the “ND” (chassis code) Mazda MX-5.

MINI Cooper S : 60 years edition

MINI Cooper S : 60 years edition

MINI Cooper’s history however is one that really needs no elaboration nor embellishment being the forefather of the modern day hot hatch

2020 NISSAN TITAN

2020 NISSAN TITAN

Japanese pickups as we know them here in Canada are a unique breed —often designed and built in North America like the Nissan Titan. 

2020 Cadillac XT6

2020 Cadillac XT6

Boasting the brand’s latest design language, three rows of seating and upscale interior appointments, everything looks great on paper.

2020 Cadillac Escalade

2020 Cadillac Escalade

The redesigned vehicle is also making a splash in the digital department offering some segment and even industry first technological innovations

2020 AWD PRIUS

2020 AWD PRIUS

Car shoppers that are looking to get into greener motoring have another option that offers the extra benefit of traction in all weather conditions