History/Overview
This is the second year for Cadillac’s compact CT4 sedan, one of two upscale sport sedans the brand offers in a lineup otherwise dominated by SUVs and crossovers. The CT4 is a successor to the ATS, which proved Cadillac could make a sporty compact, but couldn’t quite overcome the brand’s reputation for old-school luxury.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2021, the Cadillac CT4 gains GM’s SuperCruise highway driving assist system as an option. You can also get a new digital gauge cluster, and all trims are standard with a Buckle to Drive feature that prevents you from shifting into drive until you’ve fastened your seatbelt.
Available Trims
CT4 trim levels are Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport and V-Series. The first three are standard with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 2.7L turbo four is optional in Premium Luxury and standard in V-Series, and comes with a 10-speed transmission. You get a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive with both engines.
Standard Features
CT4 Luxury models come dressed with 17-inch alloy wheels and tires, heated/power-adjustable/body-coloured side mirrors, bright body trim, LED headlights and taillights, and passive keyless entry.
Inside, CT4 Luxury comes with an eight-speaker stereo, 12-volt power outlets, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone auto A/C, leatherette seating, satellite radio, and Apple/Android smartphone integration.
Safety kit includes forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, rear seat reminder, and tire pressure monitoring.
Premium Luxury adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, four-way front seat lumbar, leather upholstery, rear park assist, 18-inch wheels and tires, auto on/off headlights, a driver’s side auto-dimming mirror, rain-sensing wipers, and aerodynamic grille shutters.
Sport also builds on Luxury trim, adding 18-inch wheels/tires, auto on/off headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, body-colour rear spoiler and rocker extensions, grey-tinted taillights, four-way front seat lumbar, alloy sport pedals, ambient cabin lighting, a leather-trimmed thick-rim steering wheel, front-seat adjustable cushion length, power front-seat side bolsters, rear park assist, magnesium steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and an integrated garage door remote.
V-Series’ additions are Brembo brakes, launch control, a limited slip rear differential, performance suspension, run-flat summer tires, a Bose 14-speaker sound system, a rotary infotainment controller, and wireless smartphone charging.
Key Options
A sun and sound package bundles a sunroof, navigation, wireless phone charging and the Bose stereo. You can also get this group without the sunroof.
An exterior accent package adds 19-inch wheels and a rear spoiler to Luxury trim.
In Premium Luxury trim, a tech package brings a digital gauge cluster and a head-up display.
If you want a full suite of driver assists, option Premium Luxury with the driver assist package and driver awareness package to get adaptive cruise, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, blind spot monitoring with lane change alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic high beams.
A front lighting and assist package adds front and rear park assist and LED front cornering lights.
Fuel Economy
Cadillac’s fuel consumption estimates for the CT4 are 10.1/6.8 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 2.0L engine and RWD, and 10.4/7.4 with AWD.
Premium Luxury models with the 2.7L motor are rated 11.0/7.6 L/100 km (city/highway) with RWD, and 11.4/8.2 with AWD.
Finally, the V-Series’ version of the 2.7L engine is ranked 11.5/8.2 L/100 (city/highway) with RWD, and 11.7/8.4 with AWD.
Competition
The Cadillac CT4 competes for buyers against a relatively fresh crop of small sport sedans that includes the Audi A3, BMW’s 2 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Another surprising contender in the 2021 Mazda3 with its new turbocharged engine option, which combines surprising luxury and performance in what is ostensibly an economy car.
