Whereas Miami, FL could thrive as a land of extra, notably following a post-pandemic migration of nouveau riche residents, it’s not a perfect residence for automotive fanatics. Certain, the surroundings is beautiful, and there’s no scarcity of exotics or ultra-luxury machines round, however except a highway community designed within the spirit of a spreadsheet is your concept of enjoyable, you’ll need to search for thrills elsewhere.
But it’s on this very setting the place I discover myself behind the wheel of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, a 668-horsepower tremendous sedan whose output finds its rear wheels through a six-speed guide transmission. It’s a recipe that guarantees to prioritize driver engagement. And given this automobile’s $124,005 as-tested determine, you’ll quickly be taught why that’s each a blessing and a curse. Nonetheless, can what reads like Cadillac’s most fun four-door thus far shine the place the roads really feel just like the work of a toddler with an etch-a-sketch?
The brief reply is sure, so long as you purchase the correct CT5-V. For the 2025 mannequin yr, Cadillac will promote you two variations that, at first look, look practically an identical. The primary is the plain jane CT5-V, which makes use of an uprated model of the identical 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 you’ll discover in the usual CT5. Though the American carmaker markets it as an official member of its V-Collection household, it’s far nearer in spirit to the bottom automobile than it’s to the range-topping Blackwing.
Given the model cache and diehard fanbase established by the discontinued CTS-V lineup, Cadillac slaps that further letter on the CT5-V’s identify with hopes of making attraction for what in any other case reads like solely a mildly sporty sedan. It’s a web page out of the BMW M playbook and a surefire strategy to dilute a subbrand that’s taken over 20 years to determine. Briefly, this isn’t the one you need.
For the full-fat sports activities sedan expertise, you’ll wish to step as much as the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. From a value perspective, it’s extra of a leap than a step, contemplating the $38,600 premium the Blackwing instructions. Add in some non-compulsory extras, and that’s the way you get to my tester’s $124,005 out-the-door value. Extra on that later.
The 2025 mannequin yr marks the arrival of the Blackwing’s mid-cycle refresh. Aesthetically, Cadillac has targeted most of its work on this automobile’s entrance finish. It sports activities a redesigned entrance bumper accented by new vertical LED headlights. The latter will placed on a short gentle present as you stroll as much as or away from the automobile. Is that this a gimmick? Certain, nevertheless it creates a way of event, and that’s all the time welcomed in a automobile targeted on delivering a memorable expertise.
The remainder of the outside carries over largely untouched. A set of 19-inch wheels is normal gear, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S rubber measuring 275/35 up entrance and 305/30 within the rear. Three new colours be a part of its out there palette for 2025, with this tester carrying the very best shade: Storm Metallic. And will the Blackwing’s look not be fairly aggressive sufficient in inventory kind, you possibly can possibility a $5,600 Carbon Fiber 1 Bundle like my tester to introduce new aero parts, or take it even additional with the $6,730 Carbon Fiber 2 Bundle it lacks.
From a visible perspective, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will get it proper. It has a large and low stance that pairs with attention-grabbing however not overdone styling. That is, in any case, nonetheless a full-size luxurious sedan. And regardless of what it hides beneath its hood, the Blackwing will get away by being considerably understated. It’s a correct IYKYK automobile. Whereas its extensively circulated German rivals are sometimes ignored, Cadillac’s flagship pulls within the fanatic’s eye like few vehicles I’ve examined through the years.
That stated, there’s no denying how eerily related the Blackwing seems to its lesser CT5-V sibling. The non-Blackwing V sports activities an identical styling cues, equally broad bodywork, and a trapezoidal quad-exhaust setup. I can solely think about that pulling as much as one at a stoplight in your six-figure rendition of the identical automobile can’t be an awesome feeling.
Nonetheless, as shut as they could be from a visible standpoint, they’re worlds aside relating to efficiency. Like all the sport sedan greats that got here earlier than it, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing facilities its driving expertise round an engine that’s as thrilling as it’s spectacular on paper. It’s a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 growing 668 hp and 659 pound-feet of torque.
As you’d anticipate from a GM small block with a 1.74-liter blower on prime, it sounds unbelievable. Its quad suggestions crackle on a chilly begin whereas its throaty notice crescendos as you’re employed up the revs. It’s not simply loud however musical. There’s nonetheless some digital engine noise via its audio system. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound overly artificial like what you’ll discover in some current AMG or BMW M merchandise. Whilst you don’t get a flood of supercharger wine a lá Hellcat, the Blackwing produces simply sufficient to maintain issues attention-grabbing.
In a world the place the newest hybridized BMW M5 develops 717 hp, it’d be simple to underestimate the Blackwing’s 668-hp output. That’s till you issue that as a result of it weighs 4,123 kilos geared up with a guide transmission, the Cadillac is 1,267 lb lighter than its closest German rival. That’s because of its lack of electrification or an all-wheel drive system. Possibility a clutch pedal, and the Blackwing sprints to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds or 3.4 seconds when you go for the automated.
No matter your transmission alternative, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing delivers straight-line efficiency you may get drunk on. With what seems like an infinite energy reserve out there through your proper foot, the Blackwing is speedy from a dig or when you’re already cruising at freeway speeds.
My tester’s guide transmission sweetens the cope with a exact shifter whose brief throws and properly weighted clutch make fast shifting a pleasure. Nonetheless, if you need extra velocity, you possibly can lean on its No Carry Shift function, which, as its identify suggests, permits you to preserve your proper foot on the ground whilst you row via the gears. On the opposite finish, whereas Miami isn’t a perfect place to check this automobile’s $9,000 carbon ceramic brakes, they show to me greater than highly effective sufficient for these moments when the automobile on the shoulder seems suspiciously like a Dodge Charger with a light-weight bar on prime.
Halfway via my week with the Blackwing, Florida’s skies predictably flip grey and pour over town for just a few hours. It presents a superb alternative to dial again the Cadillac’s traction management settings, which you’ll be able to regulate independently from its drive modes, and see the way it behaves on a slick floor with 668 hp going purely to its rear tires. The outcomes are predictably hilarious, thanks partly to this automobile’s normal limited-slip differential. The Blackwing swings its tail on the lightest throttle enter, however due to its lengthy wheelbase, it’s by no means a handful to reign in.
In distinction to BMW M’s insistence on becoming all its merchandise with ultra-quick steering racks that really feel as genuine as going for a Sunday drive in Forza Horizon, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing employs a much more relaxed ratio. Whereas it’ll decide up weight as you dial as much as this automobile’s extra aggressive drive modes, it does so on a regular basis reasonably than primarily underneath load the place the data is most helpful. Concurrently, it stays comparatively gentle on suggestions.
The Blackwing’s get together piece is its suspension. If a rear-wheel drive sedan geared up with a supercharged V8 and a guide transmission isn’t convincing sufficient, studying that it’s additionally luxurious automobile plush would possibly do the trick. This range-topping CT5-V sports activities GM’s newest Magnetic Journey Management system, now in its fourth iteration. Briefly, this setup permits this automobile’s dampers to react instantaneously to highway imperfections, broadening their versatility. They will thus be plush within the chillest Tour mode and genuinely agency within the prime Monitor setting.
Whereas my tester lacks it, the Cadillac permits you to track-prep your Blackwing through its $18,000 Precision Bundle. Except for equipping this sedan with carbon ceramic brakes, this selection provides even firmer dampers and entrance suspension arms, offering better alignment flexibility and the power to dial in additional unfavorable camber. And whereas it’s nice for these in search of the utmost efficiency, it’s pointless if the day by day commute is extra of your property turf.
Step inside, and also you’ll discover the second largest replace launched for the Blackwing’s mid-cycle refresh: its huge curved 33-inch LED show. This setup will really feel acquainted when you’ve ever been in an Escalade. Crucially, it’s a major step up from the outgoing Blackwing’s dual-screen setup that appeared dated from when Cadillac unveiled it. But regardless of integrating a brand new contact display to the correct of the steering wheel, your entire very important controls stay mapped to bodily buttons and switches.
On condition that the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a full-size luxurious sedan, its cabin is spacious, with loads of room within the entrance and second rows. On the similar time, it additionally sports activities a large trunk. My tester sports activities an $8,090 set of carbon-backed seats, an possibility that additionally wraps the cabin in semi-aniline leather-based. Whereas expensive, these buckets are essential possibility. They’re supportive whereas remaining comfy on longer drives and look far sportier than the tasteless chairs Cadillac provides as normal.
Bear in mind how I stated this automobile’s option to middle itself across the driving expertise is each a blessing and a curse? Effectively, that’s evident the second you begin poking round and really feel simply how flimsy most of the plastic trim and buttons really feel all through this cabin. Price-cutting isn’t inherently a foul factor, primarily when it’s hidden nicely. Nonetheless, you received’t really feel nice about spending six figures for the privilege while you’re left to work together with low-cost switchgear and have a look at a dashboard wrapped in a soft-touch materials masquerading as stitched leather-based.
With a $95,595 beginning value, the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing I’m in prices $124,005 when you’ve tallied up all of its non-compulsory extras and a $1,395 vacation spot payment. For context, a 2025 BMW M5 begins a lot larger at $119,500, whereas a 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant Efficiency asks for much more with its $126,600 base value.
As I close to the top of my time with the Blackwing in a metropolis whose roads are as inspiring as AI-generated artwork, it’s clear that Cadillac’s flagship will shine no matter the place it’s. Due to its visible updates, it seems higher than ever, even when the lesser CT5-V dilutes its feeling of exclusivity. In the meantime, tech enhancements to its cabin make the consumer expertise really feel extra cutting-edge than what you bought in its predecessor.
Nonetheless, this sedan’s supercharged V8 stays the star of the present. It’s endlessly highly effective, produces an intoxicating noise, and because of its guide transmission possibility, it’s as partaking as it’s thrilling. Throw in a flexible suspension setup and a playful demeanor while you need it to be and planted while you don’t, and also you get a correct driver’s automobile.
The Blackwing asks you to make a trade-off. Certain, you possibly can spend up for a BMW M5 or an Audi RS 6 and get cabins with nicer supplies. Nonetheless, if there’s something these over-isolated machines educate us via every new era, this method results in a driving expertise that’s usually disconnected and forgettable. Whereas Cadillac’s flagship received’t win you over with its supplies, its give attention to delivering thrills over every thing cements it as one of many all-time greats.
