Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Mechanically, the CT5-V Blackwing runs the LT4 — a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 making 668 hp and 659 lb-ft — driving the rear wheels through a standard Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual with no-lift-shift and active rev-matching; the 10-speed automatic is the option most enthusiasts skip. Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, an electronic limited-slip differential and staggered Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (Cup 2 R optional) do the containment, with six-piston Brembos standard and carbon-ceramics on the options sheet. At roughly 4,140 lb it is no lightweight, but the chassis tuning is unusually resolved for a full-size sedan.

Where it places in the lineage, this is the send-off. It succeeds the LT4-powered CTS-V and the compact ATS-V, and stands as the most powerful production Cadillac ever built. More to the point, it is among the last supercharged-V8 manual super-sedans anyone will build — Cadillac has been explicit that the electrified era follows. The smaller CT4-V Blackwing (3.6 twin-turbo V6, 472 hp) shares the ethos in a lighter package. Enthusiasts frame the CT5-V Blackwing as the Detroit answer to the M5 and E63: analog where the Germans went digital, and materially cheaper than both.

• MotorTrend

  2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Manual Final Test: One Last Go With the Super CT5

  ◆Buy

  The manual CT5-V Blackwing is a masterclass in internal combustion performance, offering a level of engagement that is increasingly rare in modern sport sedans.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts who prioritize tactile engagement and manual transmission purity.

  Watch out

  Heavy clutch actuation · Inconsistent brake pedal feel · High fuel consumption

  Jun 11, 20262,223 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“revel in its avalanche of power and torque, there’s plenty of both on offer here.”
  2. handling“That’s not to say whatsoever that the handling isn’t incredibly rewarding and confidence inspiring”
  3. fun to drive“the heavy clutch pedal and notchy shifter feel like magic during aggressive driving, allowing you to almost simply jab at the clutch in between shifts, resulting in smooth, quick gear changes that never cease to bring a smirk to your face.”
  4. daily drivability“Some of our drivers... initially found the experience mildly off-putting until they got used to it”
  5. value“That will go a long way toward keeping this nameplate easily in our good graces.”

• Top Gear

  Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing review: America’s answer to the M5 Reviews 2026 | Top Gear

  ◆Worth it

  The CT5-V Blackwing is a masterclass in American performance, offering a visceral, manual-transmission experience that outshines its German rivals in character and value.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts who want a raw, powerful, and engaging super-saloon with a manual gearbox.

  Watch out

  Heavy curb weight (1,900kg) · Not available in the UK market

  1,213 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“It’s packing a 6.2-litre supercharged V8... 668bhp, 659lb ft of torque, a 205mph top speed, 0-60mph in 3.7s and the type of filthy, dirty noise that would never, ever get old.”
  2. handling“The front-end grip is huge, body roll is well contained and of course you can bring the rear around with a toe poke whenever you feel the need.”
  3. fun to drive“The shift is notchy, so needs some proper force, but there’s zero slack in the gate and a couple of party pieces to play with: a no-lift function... and an auto blip mode.”
  4. daily drivability“MagneRide switchable dampers gives it a breadth of character, so it can do the slog home from the track in total comfort.”
  5. value“When you consider the BMW M5 Competition costs over £100k, and the full-fat CS costs more like £140k, that’s ridiculous value.”

• The Drive

  The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Doesn’t Make You Choose

  ◆Buy

  The CT5-V Blackwing is a masterclass in blending raw, analog performance with daily luxury, standing as one of the finest American performance sedans ever built.

  Best for

  driving enthusiasts who prioritize engagement and character over clinical precision

  Watch out

  Heavy clutch pedal · Interior materials feel less premium than German competitors · Infotainment screens are smaller and less sharp than rivals

  2,338 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“Dig into the gas and the Blackwing hits back with properly mighty acceleration and a menacingly wonderful noise.”
  2. handling“Pair that with a very well-engineered chassis and the big bad Caddy is actually quite manageable, handling-wise.”
  3. fun to drive“It feels meticulously crafted for true driving enthusiasts rather than outright lap times, although it’s still ridiculously quick.”
  4. daily drivability“Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrapped around reasonably sized, 19-inch wheels—as well as standard Magnetic Ride Control included—mean loads of grip and a perfectly comfortable ride.”
  5. value“Its loaded-up as-tested price, for example, is still a few grand less than where the Mercedes-AMG E63S and BMW M5 start.”

• The Drive

  2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Pros and Cons: Too Good to Last Forever

  ◆Worth it, with caveats

  The CT5-V Blackwing is an exceptional performance machine that offers a level of engagement unmatched by its rivals, though it suffers from dated interior tech and a heavy clutch.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts who prioritize driving engagement and manual transmissions over luxury interior appointments.

  Watch out

  Heavy clutch in traffic · Dated interior materials and tech · Squeaky carbon seatbacks · Confusing V-Mode menu system

  1,801 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“The result is incredible performance. Whether it be acceleration, outright speed, and most importantly, handling, the CT5-V Blackwing experience is about the sum of its parts.”
  2. handling“The Cadillac is more tactile, more fun, and frankly, is a car that requires much more skill to drive than anything BMW or Mercedes have produced in years.”
  3. fun to drive“The shifter is short and beefy and feels great through its tight and precise throws. Unlike other, lesser manuals, where you simply shift gears without any real connection to the car, GM’s unit keeps you in sync with the powertrain.”
  4. daily drivability“The clutch, however, is heavy and can be a bit much around town, especially if you’re constantly dealing with stop-and-go traffic.”
  5. value“If you’re in the market for a high-performace luxury sedan, the CT5-V Blackwing is a no-brainer, if you ask me.”

• The Drive

  2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing First Drive Review: Still the Best Car GM Makes by Far

  ◆Buy

  The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing remains the benchmark for the American performance sedan, offering an unmatched analog driving experience that outclasses its European rivals.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts who want a track-capable sedan that retains a manual transmission and genuine driver engagement.

  Watch out

  High cost of the Precision Package · Heavy curb weight · Requires carbon ceramic brakes for the full package

  2,553 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“The Caddy lurches forward with force and feels like it’ll never run out of power”
  2. handling“The body stays so flat through the corners that it simultaneously reveals there’s way more body roll in the regular Blackwing than I had originally processed.”
  3. fun to drive“The personality Cadillac engineers instilled in the engine and both transmissions (10-speed automatic and six-speed manual), is nothing short of magical.”
  4. daily drivability“It’s luxurious, it’s spacious, it’s got massaging seats, room for two adults in the back, a big trunk, and with SuperCruise, it even almost drives itself when you want it to.”
  5. value“The CT5-V Blackwing has defeated the Europeans at their own game.”

• The Drive910 words

  2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Precision Package Is Proof That GM Still Cares

• The Drive2,013 words

  Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing’s Lap Timer Turns Track Days Into Gran Turismo Time Trials

• The Drive1,019 words

  A Fully Loaded 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Will Set You Back $125,980

• The Drive1,365 words

  The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Compared to the BMW M5, Mercedes-AMG E63 and Audi RS7

• The Drive2,471 words

  The Drive Awards: The 2026 Car of the Year is the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing