Amidst the increasing demand for crossovers, the soaring prices of established compact sport sedans, and premium brands extending their entry-level offerings, it seems as though the once-thriving premium car segment is slowly vanishing. Nevertheless, Detroit seems undeterred by this trend — Cadillac recently introduced the new CT4, offering a glimmer of hope for the entry-level sport sedan segment. However, the question remains: can the 2023 Cadillac CT4 Sport stand its ground against the cutting-edge technology and allure of the latest German competitors?
On the outside, Cadillac offers a very conventional design. You won’t find a striking, sloping roofline or a floating C-pillar treatment. Instead, the CT4 boasts an appealing three-box silhouette, adhering to the timeless tradition of sport sedans with its long hood and short deck. Overall, while it’s not going to win any awards for cutting edge design, the CT4 probably won’t offend any potential buyers with quirky design language. BMW, I’m looking at you.
The CT4’s interior demonstrates Cadillac’s shift to a more user-friendly control setup, departing from the predominantly touch-sensitive interface in its predecessor, the ATS. Although the interior design looked attractive at first, material quality was lacking and for adult passengers, especially in the rear seats, cabin space was somewhat limited. However, Cadillac compensates for this with a good bit of standard equipment that’s optional on some competitors, like 12-way power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Every CT4 is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen featuring the brand’s latest Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment software. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces, as well as an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Additionally, Cadillac offers navigation on all models, which comes bundled with a premium 14-speaker Bose stereo system, replacing the standard eight-speaker setup. Our Sport tester came equipped with the Technology package as well, which for around $1,555, comes with a great 12-inch digital gauge cluster and decent heads-up display.
As you progress up the model range, more desirable features open up, such as leather seating, magnesium paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors. Our Sport trim tester brings bucket seats into the mix as well as some other available options, like the Brembo brakes.
Speaking of Brembo brakes, let’s talk performance. The Sport model should be sporty, right? In this case, the Sport badge might be more a placebo effect more than for anything else. The base CT4 comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-four, putting out a mediocre 237 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque starting at just 1,500 rpm. Don’t get me wrong, for the base CT4 Luxury model, it’s probably enough to putt around town, but the larger 2.7L turbo-four with the 10-speed automatic and an extra 70 hp — a $6,605 option reserved for the Premium Luxury trim — would be better suited for this “Sport” trim.
However, rear-wheel drive is standard, making it a rarity in this segment; rivals such as the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA are built on front-drive chassis. All-wheel-drive is available on the CT4, but the eight-speed automatic routing power to the wheels could benefit from further refinement. Despite its sporty nature, the CT4’s suspension manages to handle potholes without causing too much discomfort to passengers, and it delivers sharp and rewarding handling that any enthusiast would appreciate.
Our smaller-engined CT4 tester boasts an estimated 10.4 L/100 km city fuel economy rating, 7.4 highway, and 9.1L combined. With its 64 L tank and few lengthy 100-km round-trip commutes in our time with the car, we matched the official combined figure.
For 2023, the CT4 is available in nine different trim levels, all powered by gasoline engines. The entry-level Luxury model starts at $39,598, while the range-topping, high-performance Blackwing model rounds out the range at $68,698 before options. The CT4 Sport sits in the lower-mid range at $43,298; options on our tester include the Brembo brake package for $1,150, metallic paint for $900, 18-inch wheels for $695, and upgraded leather seating for $2,420, as well as the aforementioned Tech package and Bose sound system, bringing the total to $55,543 as-tested.
All things considered the CT4 is essentially an entry-level Cadillac, which does come with drawbacks such as limited rear-seat space and a small trunk, making it less ideal for carrying a foursome to the golf course. Moreover, the interior design and material quality might not be the most attractive or luxurious, but considering its starting price in the $40,000 range, it is acceptable.
However, it’s precisely this price point that makes the CT4 so appealing. Despite its entry-level status, it offers a delightful balance of fun and comfort when driving, making it an excellent choice as a daily-driven sedan that caters both to enthusiasts and those seeking a comfortable ride. If you’re willing to forgo some of the more frivolous bells and whistles, the 2023 Cadillac CT4 Sport maybe an excellent foray into sports sedans.
