14 Best American Cars for 2023 – Ranked – TrueCar

In an effort to better compete with its European rivals, Cadillac offers high-performance V Series versions of several of its models. They have more powerful engines, retuned suspensions, and subtle styling revisions that set them apart from the base models. To create the CT4-V, Cadillac equips its CT4 sedan with a standard 2.7-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 325 horsepower. It sends power to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. More aggressive suspension tuning and performance tires add to the heightened level of performance. Then again, if those upgrades don’t sound substantial enough, Cadillac offers an even higher rung on the performance ladder known as the CT4-V Blackwing. It swaps out the four-cylinder engine for a twin-turbocharged V6 with 472 hp. It also offers a six-speed manual transmission for those who like the visceral feel of rowing through a gearbox. More powerful brakes and larger wheels and tires are also part of the package. It turns the otherwise modest CT4 into a serious performance sedan that can hold its own against the top-performing cars in the segment.

For more mundane driving tasks, the CT4-V is comfortable but not overly spacious. There’s plenty of room up front, but the rear seats are tight for adults and the trunk space is average. Cadillac’s latest touchscreen interface is easy to use and can be upgraded to an extra-large screen. Cabin quality is solid if not quite as high-end as some European rivals. While the standard CT4 models compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA and BMW 2 Series, the more powerful CT4-V plays against the highly respected Audi S4, Mercedes-AMG C 43, and BMW M340i. The CT4-V Blackwing takes on more distinguished competition such as the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63.