[cp-the-nerd]

I've driven multiple LSY equipped CT5s since the model was introduced five years ago. The engine wouldn't be appropriate for a Chevy Malibu, let alone any Cadillac.

Exactly. When you buy a luxury car in this class and price range, you aren't paying for a merely adequate engine. You just spend your money elsewhere. I keep pointing to the Koreans because the amount of effort that is going into the Genesis brand makes it look like Cadillac isn't even trying to win over customers in the bread and butter $40-60k range.

And to the people saying it's only a 20-30 horsepower difference from the BMW or whatever, it's not. The German power ratings are essentially what those cars put down at the wheels. Everyone knows this. There's a reason the BMW 530i Xdrive with the "255 hp" 2.0T weighing 4100 lbs runs a low 14 quarter mile.

 

[Envoy4Life]

The “new” 2.0T in the XT4/CT4/CT5 is awful. It sounds terrible, is inefficient, and is gutless. It’s a step back from the “old” 2.0T it replaced in the ATS/CTS.

It has no business being in a Cadillac costing $60,000, no matter what excuses the typical GMI crowd makes for it.

 

[tripowergto Jan2003]

My ATS has a 272 hp 2.0T. I wonder why they detuned it to put in these cars as an additional 35 hp makes a difference. Fuel economy?

I wondered the same thing. My Caddy dealer told me dealers were complaining that the base engine "required" premium so the "detuned" 2.0T runs OK on regular although GM still "recommends" premium. I drive my wife's CT5 with it a few times a week. If I take my enthusiast hat off it's more than adequate for a daily driver but could/should be better for a proper Cadillac even as the base engine. IMO the 10 speed auto is what saves it. First gear must be a very low ratio. Like others have already stated it should not cost so much for the entry level engine, hence why I returned to buying certified used. The wife adores her '21 CT5 and it hauls our first granddaughter around in style.

 

[AMcA]

237 hp for a luxury sedan that weights 3,685 lbs (awd) simply is not enough. This is practically the same as a Camry (232 hp). Luxury vehicles cannot have adequate power; they must have an abundance of power. This engine fails to deliver.

With a smaller engine, you work it harder. With a big engine, if you work it very hard, you've going to wind up with a lot of tickets and no insurance. It's as much or more fun pounding a smaller engine as it to have a big one loafing along.

I had a '96 530i with a V8, and 282 hp. It was awesome, and it weighed 4000 lbs. 237 is a good number for a 3600 pound car.

 

[supraracer]

One of the reasons for the high price is that Cadillac eliminated the base model. That being said, there is a simple solution. Spend an extra 4K and get the CT5-V. The CT5-V has a msrp of $52, 890 vs $48,890 for the now base Premium Luxury/Sport.

 

[1958carnut]

Exactly. When you buy a luxury car in this class and price range, you aren't paying for a merely adequate engine. You just spend your money elsewhere. I keep pointing to the Koreans because the amount of effort that is going into the Genesis brand makes it look like Cadillac isn't even trying to win over customers in the bread and butter $40-60k range.

And to the people saying it's only a 20-30 horsepower difference from the BMW or whatever, it's not. The German power ratings are essentially what those cars put down at the wheels. Everyone knows this. There's a reason the BMW 530i Xdrive with the "255 hp" 2.0T weighing 4100 lbs runs a low 14 quarter mile.

The “new” 2.0T in the XT4/CT4/CT5 is awful. It sounds terrible, is inefficient, and is gutless. It’s a step back from the “old” 2.0T it replaced in the ATS/CTS.

It has no business being in a Cadillac costing $60,000, no matter what excuses the typical GMI crowd makes for it.

And it therefore makes me really have to wonder about the designers and ?engineers? at gm/Cadillac that think something this raucous really belongs there. Shame on them...

 

[gkr778]

there is a simple solution. Spend an extra 4K and get the CT5-V. The CT5-V has a msrp of $52, 890 vs $48,890 for the now base Premium Luxury/Sport.

Excellent solution! Just a heads up, the $52,890 MSRP for CT5-V is for Model Year 2024. Model Year 2025 CT5-V MSRP increases to $58,390, but includes additional standard equipment versus 2024 Model Year.

For comparison, an equivalent 2025 CT5 Sport with 19" Satin Graphite wheels and Brembo brakes (both of which are standard on CT5-V) has an MSRP of $51,590. The extra $6,800 for the CT5-V is absolutely worth it.

 

[gkr778]

It's as much or more fun pounding a smaller engine as it to have a big one loafing along.

Good point AMcA; that's one characteristic of the 180 hp N20 engine in my BMW F30 that I very much appreciate. It's smooth, seamless power delivery is such that even though fuel cutoff is just above 7,000 rpm, the engine feels like it's aiming for 8,000 rpm.

Unfortunately, the GM LSY engine doesn't facilitate that kind of fun. There's a noticeable softening beyond the power peak of 5,000 rpm, and the engine starts sounding stressed well before that. It sounds so unpleasant at mid to high revs that I doubt anyone driving an LSY equipped car will wish to pound the engine.

 

[Envoy4Life]

If I take my enthusiast hat off it's more than adequate for a daily driver but could/should be better for a proper Cadillac even as the base engine. IMO the 10 speed auto is what saves it.

Not to pick on you, but this quote right here is what’s wrong with the mentality on GMI and with GM/Cadillac fans in general. Stop settling for mediocrity from the flagship brand!!

“Good enough” isn’t, especially when base engines from BMercAudi all are more powerful, smoother, and more efficient. A transmission shouldn’t “save” an engine in a freaking Cadillac, it should compliment it.

Until the loser/content with mediocrity mentality goes away, junk like the 2.0T will continue to make Cadillac a second rate luxury car. Enough with the excuses!

 

[tripowergto Jan2003]

Not to pick on you, but this quote right here is what’s wrong with the mentality on GMI and with GM/Cadillac fans in general. Stop settling for mediocrity from the flagship brand!!

“Good enough” isn’t, especially when base engines from BMercAudi all are more powerful, smoother, and more efficient. A transmission shouldn’t “save” an engine in a freaking Cadillac, it should compliment it.

Until the loser/content with mediocrity mentality goes away, junk like the 2.0T will continue to make Cadillac a second rate luxury car. Enough with the excuses!

Fair enough. If the CT5 didn't offer the outstanding Blackwing V8 or the mid level TTV6 it would concern me much more. I'd much prefer the existing NA 3.6 as the base engine, but GM no longer offers it and I needed/wanted a somewhat affordable late model used American ICE sedan. It's our initial entry into the brand. I've never purchased a base engine car before so perhaps I'm too accepting but this sweet sedan fits our current needs very well. Happy wife = happy life applies in this scenario and we're not stuck in a clunky crossover.

 

[BlackGTP]

Exactly. When you buy a luxury car in this class and price range, you aren't paying for a merely adequate engine. You just spend your money elsewhere. I keep pointing to the Koreans because the amount of effort that is going into the Genesis brand makes it look like Cadillac isn't even trying to win over customers in the bread and butter $40-60k range.

And to the people saying it's only a 20-30 horsepower difference from the BMW or whatever, it's not. The German power ratings are essentially what those cars put down at the wheels. Everyone knows this. There's a reason the BMW 530i Xdrive with the "255 hp" 2.0T weighing 4100 lbs runs a low 14 quarter mile.

Not directed at you cp-the-nerd, did anyone watch the entire video? His review to me is pretty much saying the Cadillac IS what everyone is saying it should be.

For example, the reviewer said he felt like the 2.0T was more powerful than the ratings, just like the Germans.

He specifically called out the suspension for being well calibrated - bumps don't make it through but handles nicely, etc..

He liked it. Perfect? No, but overall he liked it.

 

[Envoy4Life]

Fair enough. If the CT5 didn't offer the outstanding Blackwing V8 or the mid level TTV6 it would concern me much more. I'd much prefer the existing NA 3.6 as the base engine, but GM no longer offers it and I needed/wanted a somewhat affordable late model used American ICE sedan. It's our initial entry into the brand. I've never purchased a base engine car before so perhaps I'm too accepting but this sweet sedan fits our current needs very well. Happy wife = happy life applies in this scenario and we're not stuck in a clunky crossover.

I drove a CTS with the “base” 2.0T for 3 years. Solid little engine that felt like it belonged in a Cadillac. It was smooth, powerful, and efficient.

They had a solid motor that they managed to **** up with this “new” 2.0T that’s just terrible. It’s downright awful in the XT4, and not good in the CT5. It has no business being in a Cadillac it’s that bad. It’s gutless, laggy, sounds awful, and gets poor fuel economy. Essentially they “fixed” what wasn’t broken, and in the process of doing so actually broke what was fixed. Makes no sense. It’s a step back in every single way from the engine it replaced.

 

[tripowergto Jan2003]

I drove a CTS with the “base” 2.0T for 3 years. Solid little engine that felt like it belonged in a Cadillac. It was smooth, powerful, and efficient.

They had a solid motor that they managed to **** up with this “new” 2.0T that’s just terrible. It’s downright awful in the XT4, and not good in the CT5. It has no business being in a Cadillac it’s that bad. It’s gutless, laggy, sounds awful, and gets poor fuel economy. Essentially they “fixed” what wasn’t broken, and in the process of doing so actually broke what was fixed. Makes no sense. It’s a step back in every single way from the engine it replaced.

It always cheaper and easier to do nothing, so why do you think GM made those negative changes to the 2.0T?

My conspiracy theory is Caddy was going all EV so they saddled the base CT4/5 with the detuned 2.0 so it wouldn't sell as well, making it easier to eliminate. Yet now their all EV mantra is delayed so... what happens next?

 

[cp-the-nerd]

Not directed at you cp-the-nerd, did anyone watch the entire video? His review to me is pretty much saying the Cadillac IS what you are all saying it should be.

For example, the reviewer said he felt like the 2.0T was more powerful than the ratings, just like the Germans.

He specifically called out the suspension for being well calibrated - bumps don't make it through but handles nicely, etc..

He liked it. Perfect? No, but overall he liked it.

I watched it, the reviewer is giving vague seat-of-the-pants impressions. He's basically reviewing it like my wife would. There isn't a shred of actual evidence the engine is underrated, one of the only tests I can find puts the CT5 2.0T AWD at a 7.1 second 0-60. This is about a second slower than my Blazer V6 and the significantly older Malibu V6 I used to own, so it wouldn't impress me whatsoever.

This isn't a $30,000 camry or accord, it's a $60,000 luxury car and there are competitive standards it should reach, even with the base engine. It's 2-4 mpg behind the competition and gets walked in a straight line, that's unacceptable. We didn't have to make any excuses for the old CTS.

 

[Envoy4Life]

Brand new 2025 CT5 2.0T with a 10 speed 0-60: 7.1 seconds.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-cadillac-ct5-20t-pros-and-cons-review/

11 year old 2014 CTS 2.0T with a 6 speed 0-60: 5.9 seconds.

Review: 2014 Cadillac CTS 2.0T (With Video)

It’s been decades since Cadillac produced the “Cadillac” of anything. However, when car buffs dismiss the only American luxury brand left, they fail to see Cadillac’s march forward. 2002 brought the first RWD Cadillac since the Fleetwoood. A year later the XLR roadster hit, followed in 2004 by...

www.thetruthaboutcars.com

That’s embarrassing.

 

[BlackGTP]

I watched it, the reviewer is giving vague seat-of-the-pants impressions. He's basically reviewing it like my wife would. There isn't a shred of actual evidence the engine is underrated, one of the only tests I can find puts the CT5 2.0T AWD at a 7.1 second 0-60. This is about a second slower than my Blazer V6 and the significantly older Malibu V6 I used to own, so it wouldn't impress me whatsoever.

This isn't a $30,000 camry or accord, it's a $60,000 luxury car and there are competitive standards it should reach, even with the base engine. It's 2-4 mpg behind the competition and gets walked in a straight line, that's unacceptable. We didn't have to make any excuses for the old CTS.

But that brings me back to one of my earlier posts in this thread - this car isn't meant for us GMI types, we all want the V or V Blackwing. Several people I know would be perfectly happy with the 2.0T - they might want the sporty look and the satisfaction of having a Cadillac, but that 0-60 time is unimportant. We are all busy trying to make this vehicle something we want, but I am not sold that it is what the average Joe wants.

How else do you review a car? You give your impressions and that is it.

With that said, I do agree that it should be the best in the segment. The engine sound should be nice and it should feel peppy, like my wife's Volvo (with a similarly powered 2.0T - I've not driven the CT5 with the 2.0T.). GM should spend that extra $500 to upgrade those little things to make the CT5 lower trims be better.

 

[1958carnut]

It always cheaper and easier to do nothing, so why do you think GM made those negative changes to the 2.0T?

My conspiracy theory is Caddy was going all EV so they saddled the base CT4/5 with the detuned 2.0 so it wouldn't sell as well, making it easier to eliminate. Yet now their all EV mantra is delayed so... what happens next?

I watched it, the reviewer is giving vague seat-of-the-pants impressions. He's basically reviewing it like my wife would. There isn't a shred of actual evidence the engine is underrated, one of the only tests I can find puts the CT5 2.0T AWD at a 7.1 second 0-60. This is about a second slower than my Blazer V6 and the significantly older Malibu V6 I used to own, so it wouldn't impress me whatsoever.

This isn't a $30,000 camry or accord, it's a $60,000 luxury car and there are competitive standards it should reach, even with the base engine. It's 2-4 mpg behind the competition and gets walked in a straight line, that's unacceptable. We didn't have to make any excuses for the old CTS.

But that brings me back to one of my earlier posts in this thread - this car isn't meant for us GMI types, we all want the V or V Blackwing. Several people I know would be perfectly happy with the 2.0T - they might want the sporty look and the satisfaction of having a Cadillac, but that 0-60 time is unimportant. We are all busy trying to make this vehicle something we want, but I am not sold that it is what the average Joe wants.

How else do you review a car? You give your impressions and that is it.

With that said, I do agree that it should be the best in the segment. The engine sound should be nice and it should feel peppy, like my wife's Volvo (with a similarly powered 2.0T - I've not driven the CT5 with the 2.0T.). GM should spend that extra $500 to upgrade those little things to make the CT5 lower trims be better.

The common thing here... "even with the base engine". Yup. Fer cryin' out loud Cadillac, you are after-all CADILLAC... and this SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE... even if maybe, the going all EV thing is hanging out there. You don't see the import competition pulling this 💩 .

 

[09W]

'25 BMW 530 has exactly 18 more horsepower. Dey be pullin' dat , too.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

But that brings me back to one of my earlier posts in this thread - this car isn't meant for us GMI types, we all want the V or V Blackwing. Several people I know would be perfectly happy with the 2.0T - they might want the sporty look and the satisfaction of having a Cadillac, but that 0-60 time is unimportant. We are all busy trying to make this vehicle something we want, but I am not sold that it is what the average Joe wants.

How else do you review a car? You give your impressions and that is it.

With that said, I do agree that it should be the best in the segment. The engine sound should be nice and it should feel peppy, like my wife's Volvo (with a similarly powered 2.0T - I've not driven the CT5 with the 2.0T.). GM should spend that extra $500 to upgrade those little things to make the CT5 lower trims be better.

You're mostly talking in circles now. There are still standards for a base engine in a $45-60k luxury car. This 2.0T doesn't meet those standards. The fact that enthusiasts like us would opt for higher tier engines is irrelevant. The holy grail of normal people are buying a BMW or Mercedes instead.

The reviewer saying the 2.0T feels so powerful is meaningless because we know the acceleration isn't class competitive. His opinion is in opposition to every other review so he either sounds amateurish or just shilling for Cadillac. Put him in an A4 or A5 and see if the perspective shifts.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

'25 BMW 530 has exactly 18 more horsepower. Dey be pullin' dat , too.

I already pointed this out: German luxury engines are all underrated and basically make their stated power at the wheels, this has been widely known for years. The BMW 530 2.0T runs low 14s.