Athletic handling and potent engines - 2022 Cadillac CT4 Review
2Serving as the entry point to the Cadillac brand, the 2022 CT4 sedan provides a taste of the playfulness that you'll find in its more expensive and higher-performance siblings. Its sharp handling and handsome curb appeal also mean it's got what it takes to compete with European compact-sedan rivals such as the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz A-class. Under the hood is either a 237-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a turbo 2.7-liter that makes up to 325-hp in the top-spec V-Series trim. That model, by the way, shouldn't be confused with the speedier CT4-V Blackwing model, which we review separately. Our biggest criticism of the CT4 is one we have made of other Cadillac models: the interior materials and ambiance don't match luxury-branded competitors, which offer a more premium look and feel.
What's New for 2022?
Two separate packages bundle Cadillac's Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system with luxury and convenience items on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims for 2022. The Super Cruise 1 package includes a 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 360-degree camera while the Super Cruise 2 package adds niceties such as a Bose premium stereo system, in-dash navigation, and more. The base Luxury model now comes with more standard driver-assistance features, including automatic high-beam headlamps, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. CT4's equipped with the optional turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine no longer have volume and tuning knobs on the dashboard. All models now come with a wireless smartphone charging pad as standard.
The mid-range Premium Luxury trim marks the high-value spot in the CT4 lineup. Moving up from the base Luxury model to the Premium Luxury brings niceties such as genuine leather upholstery and 18-inch wheels. We'd splurge and add the Bose premium audio system, which includes navigation and a 14-speaker stereo system. No matter which option packages you choose, do yourself a favor and spec the more powerful turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Buyers can choose between two turbocharged four-cylinder engines: A 237-hp 2.0-liter powers the base Luxury and mid-range Premium Luxury and Sport models, while a 2.7-liter is optional in the Premium Luxury and standard in the CT4-V. It makes 309 horsepower in the former and 325 horses in the latter. The smaller of the two engines is paired to an eight-speed automatic while the larger four gets a 10-speed. Rear-wheel drive is the standard arrangement and rare in this segment. Rivals such as the Audi A3, BMW 2-series Gran Coupe, and Mercedes A-class are all based on front-drive chassis. The CT4 offers all-wheel drive on all models as an option. We've driven the CT4-V and found it to be athletic, eager, and quick, although we would have preferred more refinement from the 10-speed gearbox. Even in this sportiest guise, the Caddy's suspension handles potholes without punishing occupants and delivers sharp, rewarding handling that any car enthusiast can appreciate.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Both of the CT4's turbocharged four-cylinder engines provide decent fuel economy. Rear-wheel-drive models with the 2.0-liter are rated as high at 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Opting for all-wheel drive drops the highway number by 2 mpg and the combined number by 1. The more powerful 2.7-liter engine is less efficient but not by much, with the rear-drive model coming in at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CT4's key rivals—the Audi A3, the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz A-class—all boast similar fuel-economy ratings. For more information about the CT4's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside the CT4, Cadillac has wisely switched to a more user-friendly control setup versus the largely touch-sensitive interface found on the ATS. Although the interior design and the quality of the materials at first appear attractive, they are ultimately unremarkable. Cabin space is tight for adults, especially in the rear seats, but Cadillac makes several luxury features standard even on the base trim, including 12-way power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Moving up through the range provides more desirable features, such as leather upholstery, magnesium paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, and memory settings for the driver's seat and exterior mirrors.