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2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadillac Br

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#1 ·
2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadillac Br

 
#6 · (Edited)
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Not a professional review, but I didn't even realize these were being shipped to dealers. Can't wait to get mine!

I don't think this was a dealer delivery. I think these are floaters that are making the rounds of dealerships for reviews and demonstrations. In fact, I would not be surprised if it was the same car as in this review:


Both gray Luxuries, light interior, with the cold weather package, no moon roof.
 
#4 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Looks like it has poor visibility especially to the rear as opposed to a BMW 3 which has always had good visibility.
The wheels look really cheap, not digging them.
The interior is OK but once again doesn't look like it belongs in a luxury car.
 
#9 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Looks like it has poor visibility especially to the rear as opposed to a BMW 3 which has always had good visibility.
The wheels look really cheap, not digging them.
The interior is OK but once again doesn't look like it belongs in a luxury car.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions even the obvious GM haters.
 
#5 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

What in the entire eff is that? They couldn't hide the reverse camera above the licence plate like everyone else. Like I said, IMO, this car just doesnt look good. Good luck to those who buy it, hope you enjoy it but damn GM, do better than this.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

What in the entire eff is that? They couldn't hide the reverse camera above the licence plate like everyone else. Like I said, IMO, this car just doesnt look good. Good luck to those who buy it, hope you enjoy it but damn GM, do better than this.
Your complaining about where the reverse camera is on an entry level luxury compact??

You do realize this trim will sell for the low 30's right?
 
#29 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I saw this and CT5 at the MN Autoshow recently. The CT4 was tiny in the back. The CT5 was OK. The CT4 had a very odd trunk design.

You cannot tell them apart much. I left wondering why GM bothered with the CT4. No one will buy it.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I watched a couple of these videos last night. For an entry level product, Cadillac has definitely delivered. For what is basically a very heavily revised ATS, what they came up with to the casual observer is an all new (even though we know it isn’t) product.

I watched these videos on a big screen, rather than on an iPad, computer, or smart phone, and seeing it in a large format really gives a great idea of what it will look like in person. The two reviewers didn’t bitch and moan about the engine, but thought the transmission could be better. Basically for the average buyer the drivetrain is going to more than adequate.

The overall look of the car inside and out is really extremely handsome. Although the interior is fantastic and fully competitive with the competition, it’s only the beginning, as Cadillac has some stunning (gorgeous is better) stuff in the pipeline. It’s only going to get better, from here on in.

I’m dying to see a review of the CT4-V. If it is as impressive as the CT5-V, Cadillac could have two big hits on their hands. I wonder what CT4/CT5 will get in the way of improvements for 2021? Does anyone know if the CT4-V’s are at the dealers or are in transit?

In regards to that back up camera, I assume it’s been placed in the optimum position, and as the license plate is in the bumper it wasn’t going to go there. As far as hiding it behind a motorized Cadillac badge, I agree that would’ve been the best solution, but as this is Cadillac’s value proposition I understand them not going that route. Btw. no one is going to accidentally put a key in it, as CT4 doesn’t have a key beyond the emergency one inside the key fob.
 
#31 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I watched a couple of these videos last night. For an entry level product, Cadillac has definitely delivered. For what is basically a very heavily revised ATS, what they came up with to the casual observer is an all new (even though we know it isn’t) product.
The back seat in particular is a huge improvement from what I can see.

Having sat in the back seat of a friend's ATS I can tell you - it was ridiculously cramped.
 
#47 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Here's a quick video showing a Sport CT4 in that same grey color:


I gotta say these are my favorite wheels although truthfully I don't mind the smaller 17s on the base Luxury! Overall looks excellent. Tough to pass up a sunroof on a car like this.

In this grey color I might prefer the black Sport trim, but in other colors the Prem Lux!
 
#48 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I gotta say these are my favorite wheels although truthfully I don't mind the smaller 17s on the base Luxury! Overall looks excellent. Tough to pass up a sunroof on a car like this.
That's good to hear. I was wondering what people thought of the 17's. Some of the reviews mention how smooth the ride is in the Luxury, as expected with the smaller wheels. Smoothness is one of my primary requirements along with quietness.
 
#56 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Red sport with 19" black wheels:

Thanks for sharing this video! autohome.com.cn videos are always nicely presented.

The wheels on this CT4 Sport 28T (China domestic market) are actually the 18" satin graphite design:

Image
 
#59 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I have to say Caddy did a nice job with the colors on the CT4/CT5, a tough choice to pick one! My only real dig on the car (as I’ve mentioned before) is the lack of safety tech on the base CT4 versus the base CT5 or base XT4. IMO they should correct that in the next model year. But if you have the $$ for a Prem Lux or Sport you’re all set.

OK I’d also make Adaptive Cruise cheaper, on the CT5 you have to multiple packages to get it which pushes the price to $50K. On the XT4 you can add an Adaptive package standalone to any Prem Lux or Sport.

The red even looks good on a base model:

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https://inventory-dmg.assets-cdk.com/0/6/7/22656820760x640.jpg

https://www.srgmcny.com/VehicleDetails/new-2020-Cadillac-CT4-4dr_Sdn_Luxury-Elmira-NY/4212051973
 
#60 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Question on the red color, obviously GM charges a premium for the color in all its divisions (though a lot more on Cadillac). Does the paint actually cost GM more to purchase than the other metallic colors or are they simply charging more based on it being desirable? Or a mix of both, charging more because it costs more plus it is popular... I'm assuming a lot is the popularity, but I'm interested on the cost side.
 
#62 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Question on the red color, obviously GM charges a premium for the color in all its divisions (though a lot more on Cadillac). Does the paint actually cost GM more to purchase than the other metallic colors or are they simply charging more based on it being desirable? Or a mix of both, charging more because it costs more plus it is popular... I'm assuming a lot is the popularity, but I'm interested on the cost side.
Ultimately, GM charges $1,225 for the Red Obsession Tintcoat color on Cadillac CT4 because... it can. Profiteering at its finest. ;)

This particular red paint uses a standard 2-layer process like other metallic colors, but adds a tinted clearcoat for extra depth. Crystal white, which is also a $1,225 option on CT4, uses a 3-layer process with a translucent middle layer.
 
#61 · (Edited)
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Here's an interesting "primer", so to speak, on auto paint.

https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/understanding-the-colorful-world-of-automotive-paint/

Reds are more expensive because the materials to make them are more expensive. Other paints require a more involved process (labor hours) to apply and cure. Other paints are developed by outside suppliers and that's just what they charge for them.
 
#63 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Here's an interesting "primer", so to speak, on auto paint.

https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/understanding-the-colorful-world-of-automotive-paint/

Reds are more expensive because the materials to make them are more expensive. Other paints require a more involved process (labor hours) to apply and cure. Other paints are developed by outside suppliers and that's just what they charge for them.
Interesting read! Thanks!

I knew those matte finishes were hard to take care of, but wow - what a pain. And to me, they don't even look good in the real world. They look neat at auto shows but on the road the cars look like colored primer.
 
#65 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

With the recent (understandable) announcement that GM is deferring various updates, MCEs, etc., I guess this means there won't be any tweaks to the CT4/CT5 for 2021! Oh well. I was thinking they could offer the detuned 2.7T as a $2500 option on the Sport trim (same price as adding it to Prem Lux). Keep the full power 2.7T on the V of course. That would give you about a $40K Sport 2.0T, $42.5K Sport 2.7T, and $45K V.

You could do the same for CT5, offer the detuned 3.0TT as an option on the CT5 Sport.

(Plus my usual harangue to offer the same safety tech on the base CT4 as on the base CT5.)
 
#66 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

to the people complaining about the "NVH" of "Chevy" 4 cylinder engines vs their german competition, do you really think there is some deep secret to balancing 4 cylinder inline engines that GM has not thought of? They all need a balance shaft, they are all inherently "bouncy", and they are used for weight, cost, and packaging reasons in the germans too, just like GM. There is nothing inherently "smoother" about an inline 4 cylinder engine just because it is in a BMW car. Unless an engineer can chime in and give specific examples of where a german made 2.0L inline 4 in a base car has superior balance and why, I call BS on that argument.
 
#67 · (Edited)
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

There is nothing inherently "smoother" about an inline 4 cylinder engine just because it is in a BMW car. Unless an engineer can chime in and give specific examples of where a german made 2.0L inline 4 in a base car has superior balance and why, I call BS on that argument.
Beyond the use of balance shaft, techniques used by BMW to reduce NVH in its newer generation 4-cylinder engines include offset positioning of the crankshaft and wrist pin, precisely designed engine mounts, acoustically tuned intake and exhaust, and a "vibration damper/harmonic balancer" device for the crankshaft pulley (see diagram below).

Image


But really, there's no need to enlist the assistance of an engineer in this context. Simply drive a BMW equipped with an N20 or B48 engine back to back with any GM car equipped with an LTG or LSY engine. If you can't tell the difference in NVH between the two automakers' powertrains, your senses are dull, you lack objectivity, or both.
 
#68 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I was very disappointed to learn there is no V6 CT4 except for the ATS-V replacement, which I can't afford. It's all the more disappointing because the LGX V6 is such a wonderful V6. An LGX CT4 with a manual transmission would have been perfect.

In my experience there is not one GM I4 engine that has acceptable NVH levels. It's ridiculous when a Cadillac sedan has more engine vibrations coming through the driver's seat than a Ford Focus, but that's what felt when test driving a CT4. GM just won't invest the R&D needed to refine them, and then they wonder why nobody buys their sedans.
 
#69 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

In my experience there is not one GM I4 engine that has acceptable NVH levels. It's ridiculous when a Cadillac sedan has more engine vibrations coming through the driver's seat than a Ford Focus, but that's what felt when test driving a CT4. GM just won't invest the R&D needed to refine them, and then they wonder why nobody buys their sedans.
+1
What makes this even more disappointing, as sdotjeezy mentioned to me in another thread, is that GM possesses the engineering talent to develop powertrains with NVH levels appropriate for a premium brand like Cadillac. Unfortunately, they apply that talent only to engines with more cylinders than my right hand has fingers.

I sincerely hope that the 2.7L 4-cylinder engine in CT4 will be the exception to this rule. Hopefully, driving impression reviews of CT4-V and CT4 Premium Luxury 450T will be available soon.
 
#70 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Dealer video (about 4min) of CT4-V, yay, but no driving or engine noise, darn. Hoping for a driving video soon. Black on black, nice wheels, looks great. IMO.

 
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#71 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Dealer video (about 4min) of CT4-V, yay, but no driving or engine noise, darn. Hoping for a driving video soon. Black on black, nice wheels, looks great. IMO.

Nice video!

In Canada, CT4-V base price is $47,598 CAD including destination and air conditioning charge. At current exchange rates, that's about $34,100 USD.
 
#73 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Raiti Loves the CT4-V. His review is on Youtube. :)

I could not post link due to post count.
While I am still unimpressed with CT4 (just like with the whole small-sedan segment including A4 and CLA) I am positively astonished there's so little hate regarding CT4 in the YT comment section. People seem to like CT4 a lot and that's a good thing!
 
#77 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

The most minor nit I have to pick with Markus' summary is that there is a red leather available - Sangria, at least with the Evergreen exterior. I haven't compared the rest of the outside color palette to see the available interiors with each exterior. Otherwise, this and the MT article I found on MSN Autos this morning, filled in a lot of background information for me and solidified this as my next ride.
 
#78 ·
#79 · (Edited)
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Consumer Reports purchased a 2020 Cadillac CT4 AWD 350T Premium Luxury and recently wrote an article with its initial assessment:

First Drive: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Both Thrills and Disappoints - This small, agile sport sedan invigorates the luxury lineup

Much of the article is limited subscribers only, so here are a few excerpts:

Consumer Reports said:
  • Options: All-wheel drive ($2,000); navigation and Bose audio ($1,700); Crystal White paint ($1,225); driver assist package with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and reverse automatic emergency braking ($1,200); climate package ($1,200); technology package ($1,150); sunroof ($1,050); Driver Awareness Plus with blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and lane departure warning ($800); and front lighting and assist package ($400).
  • Total options: $10,725
  • Destination fee: $995
  • Total cost: $49,215

What We Like
  • Dynamics: The handling, steering, and braking are all impressive, making the car feel responsive and agile.
  • Comfortable front seats: The seats are firm with supportive cushions, flanked by mild torso bolsters.
  • Controls: Controls have been a notable shortcoming with modern Cadillacs, but those in the CT4 are pretty good. We love the volume and tuning knobs that are skewed to the left, making them easy for the driver to reach. The infotainment screen is responsive.
  • Transmission: The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive. It shifts smoother and in a more timely manner than the 10-speed unit in the CT5.

What We Don’t Like
  • Rear access: It is unusually difficult to enter the back seat of the CT4 due to the small door opening, limited space between the seat base and the ceiling, and narrow floor space for stepping into.
  • Back seat: Once inside, passengers will find there is tight toe space, restricted headroom, and their knees need to bend too much.
  • Engine noise: The CT4 has a wheezy-sounding turbo engine. Its soundtrack is not pleasant, even during mild acceleration, and it becomes loud under hard throttle. This is a clear weakness cited by each tester. Plus, there doesn’t seem to be much oomph in reserve, giving the impression that the engine makes more noise than power.
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#80 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

Consumer Reports purchased a 2020 Cadillac CT4 AWD 350T Premium Luxury and recently wrote an article with its initial assessment:

First Drive: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Both Thrills and Disappoints - This small, agile sport sedan invigorates the luxury lineup

Much of the article is limited subscribers to only, so here are a few excerpts:
Thanks. I saw the tweet that CR was ready with some preliminary results and I was hoping that someone here would summarize their findings. I have been getting the magazine for decades and I know they give you a slight discount for the online information, but I still don't want to pay double for the same information. Almost had me getting just a one month subscription, but couldn't pull the trigger.
 
#89 ·
Re: 2020 Cadillac CT4 Test Drive & Full Review (The Small Sedan Worthy of the Cadilla

I like this Youtube reviewer, subscribed when I lived in Vancouver Canada. All the cars they drove in 2020 and what was the top pick? It just may be a Cadillac!
Wow, it's hard not to be impressed when You hear such praises. Why the hell GM does not offer this engine on their most important market?! They would sell tons of more CT5s with it. Not only the Vs but regular 4 bangers drawn by people attracted by V-series. One must take heavy drugs to understand this corporation.