Some auto manufacturers are streamlining their product lines — mainly sedans. Sure, SUVs and Crossovers are still in high demand, but sexy, sporty sedans continue to turn heads. The demand for those sleek rides is significant enough for companies to find ways to aptly fill their product lines.
Cadillac is a good case study. Their SUV/Crossovers sell well. The new 2026 CT5-V hits a nice sweet spot to battle a very competitive upscale entry-level sports sedan category.
The CT5-V has the looks, power and luxury appointments to draw interest into the showroom. It looks cool in the driveway, and the neighbors will beg to play with the tech-forward gadgets. Keep in mind it’s not the V Blackwing that delivers a V-8 and gobs of horsepower (at $40,000 more). Yet the V’s engaging V6 engine is still enough for most customers while improving fuel economy. It’s another signal Cadillac is firmly targeting a younger consumer without scaring away the AARP buyers. Bravo!
Skin
The 2026 CT5-V has crisp lines and a streamlined silhouette giving it a beautifully balanced sporty stance. Goodbye land yacht snickers. The tester’s gorgeous Black Raven paint (with a subtle gold flake) combines with contrasting 19” Satin Bronze rims inside sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. Add some flash with either blue or red painted brake calipers (my new favorite accessory).
The front includes Cadillac’s signature bold vertical bladed LED headlights. It exhibits a bold attitude with black mesh grilles mated with a glossy black diffuser. A substantial but tidy rear includes quad exhausts, attractive subtle spoiler and holds a decent trunk. Chrome accents are tastefully limited with most trim blacked out. Illuminated door handles and kickplates add to the appeal. It draws admiring smiles from any angle. And yes, the kids think it’s pretty darn cool.
Performance
The V model includes that peppy twin turbocharged 3.0 liter with 360hp and a robust 405lb-ft. torque (0-60 in a swift 4.6 seconds). As former GM exec Bob Lutz said, “Americans buy horsepower, but drive torque.” It’s thoroughly enjoyable in Sport Mode with enhanced steering, suspension and higher-rev shifts (you also can select Tour, Sport, Track, and Snow/Ice modes). The 10-speed transmission shifts effortlessly, and the usually annoying Auto Stop feature thankfully can be turned off. Choose the standard rear-wheel drive delivering grippy handling and cruising capability given its lighter aluminum frame. Excellent braking with robust high-performance Brembo brakes and Collision Warning systems are reassuring.
The handy V button on the steering wheel drops the gearing a notch, increases the exhaust note and tightens the steering and suspension. You can mix and match these via individual settings for your desired tastes. I like it a lot.
Cadillac’s excellent Super Cruise allows for hands-free driving on over 750,000 miles of mapped highways. It’s a cool perk to investigate.
The admirable Magnetic Ride suspension soaks up most asphalt irregularities. The thick leather-wrapped (and heated) steering wheel feels just right, and the paddle shifters are quite responsive. Gas mileage is decent for this category as I observed 23.5 mpg overall (rated 18/27) You’ll appreciate the gas plunger design requiring no gas cap too.
Cabin
The Jet Black interior is sumptuous, surrounding you in tasteful contrasting hand-stitched leather and lovely carbon-fiber trim (Sport). Fit and finish are outstanding. The dash instrumentation panel is well laid out and bright however it’s more old-school analog gauges versus newer programmable layouts. Standard heated and massaging leather 18-way power sport seats are comfortable, supportive and easy on the bones during long hauls. A generous double-panoramic Ultra-View roof ($1,450) gives the cabin an illuminating, airy feel. Racing red seat belts ($400) are a sporty touch.
I’d recommend the Tech Package (which includes Head Up Display, Rear Camera Mirror and Front/Side Pedestrian Alert) for $2,695.
The center console houses an improved and simpler infotainment cluster. The tester included backup and surround camera, dual-zone climate control, remote start and adaptive cornering high-intensity LED headlights. Safety measures include ample blind spot warnings, multiple camera views and handy full-color head-up display complete with speed limit signs, tachometer and navigation turn-by-turn directions in the windshield. It’s a welcome, addictive option to keep your eyes on the road. Interior storage is a bit tight, though.
Visibility is good as well for a low-slung sedan, aided by three-lane-wide rearview mirror. Back seat room is generous as that’s where the extra room is evident. Trunk space is an okay 11.9 cu.ft. but the rear seats do fold down for additional storage. A full golf bag with driver fits horizontally. There’s also a hidden storage area underneath the trunk floor.
Tech check
There’s no shortage of impressive technology. The colossal 33-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen is clear, easy to read, and manage. It mimics hand motions like an iPad, as you can move icons, shrink or enlarge the data, and display a bunch of preset radio/XM satellite stations and phone numbers. It includes 3-D navigation maps, Doppler radar, and natural-voice activated prompts, which work instantaneously with any voice. It also delivers 5G/LTE Wi-Fi service via an OnStar subscription.
You’ll appreciate the terrific Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, syncing up your smartphone to display your home-screen apps. There’s a handy slot to wirelessly charge your phone. Even the vent fan noise is lowered when receiving a call.
Thankfully, positioned under the screen are the most used climate control buttons. I appreciated the radio channel dial in the console, which allows you to swiftly change stations without continually hitting the screen. Redundancy is abundant, with no less than three volume controls.
The 15-speaker Bose Performance Series Sound System is excellent, with four programmable, distinct cabin sound settings. It’s crystal clear and delivers near-perfect audio acoustics.
The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V is a good ‘ol American package of eye-candy, comfort, and abundant technology (including Cadillac’s Premium Care Maintenance 3 years/36,000 miles). The base model at $57,000 and tested options in the mid $60s will pique your interest. The bottom line is the 2026 CT5-V is worthy of your time when contemplating a superb, engaging, luxurious, and tech-toy-laden sports sedan without killing your budget or requiring excessive trips to the gas pump.
SCORECARD
Golf Bags: Two
Curb Appeal: Attractive upscale sports sedan belies attractive starting price
0-60: 4.6 seconds
Gas Mileage: 18/27. Observed 22.5 overall
Must-Haves: Tech package
Warranty & Free Maintenance: 48 mo/50,000 miles warranty; 3/36K maintenance
Base Price: $57,600
Price as Tested: $66,484
Who Buys It?: Those looking for a price-competitive cool sports sedan
Finish Line: Patriotic package of style, performance, and luxury
Test-drive the 2026 Cadillac CT5-V at Crest Cars in Frisco.