2022 Cadillac CT4-V Series Impressions

By: James Wilder

2022 Cadillac CT4 V-Series. Ricoh GR3 18mm, f/5, 1/400 sec. ISO 200. Photo by James Wilder.

I don't do reviews. But I will do impressions.

You experience a new car based on what you have driven in the past. My last car was a Hemi powered 2021 Dodge Challenger RT. The Challenger is big, cool, photogenic, and I love it. But I was ready for a new experience, and a new American brand.

The standard Cadillac CT4 has a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. The CT4-V comes with a 2.7 liter turbocharged 4. Also, there is a CT4-V Blackwing, which has a twin-turbo v6.

Now, I'll share my impressions of my current vehicle, the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Series.

In my first week of driving, it felt more like an upscale Chevy or maybe a sporty Pontiac. Turns out, since Pontiac is long gone, that's the market they were aiming for.

Light

The car feels light. Acceleration, cornering, stopping, feel easy.

Rails

The car has no sway on corners giving you the sense that you are perfectly planted and in control. City driving is fun. Every corner is an opportunity for fun.

2.7 Litre Turbo 4

From a dead stop it doesn't accelerate strong. But at about 3000 RPM, the turbo kicks and the fun begins. According to Cadillac, the 2.7 Liter Turbo 4 has 325 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. That's quite adequate for the small CT4.

Stop

The brakes (Brembo™ on front) are fantastic. No noises. Smooth and effective.

V Mode

Push the button and you're in V mode. You can configure the intensity of brakes, engine sound, steering wheel damping, shifting, and who knows what else. I haven't played with this much, yet. I'll fill in the blanks later.

Fun

All of these things added together equal fun. And that's what it's about.

Road Trip Worthy

Absolutely. With up to 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, plus a 10 speed transmission, you don't have to spend a lot on gas to explore the back roads. And with the tight suspension of the CT4-V, the back roads driving can be spirited.

And, rear wheel drive.

Design

I love the blacked out dash (sorry. photo coming).
I love the big Cadillac badge in the grill.
The red calipers are a nice visual touch.

What I Miss

The CT4 is not as photogenic as the Dodge Challenger.

Bottom Line

One Jalopnik writer said "CT4-V just feels like a compromise."

One person's compromise is another person's just right. I'm not taking my car to the track and don't care to pour Big Gulps of fuel into the engine for an HEB run. On the other hand, I wouldn't even buy this car in stock CT4 form.

So I say, the CT4-V is spot on. Nailed it. I love it. And, it's a road trip worthy vehicle.

Long live Cadillac.

These are my thoughts on the Cadillac CT4-V so far.

More to come.

2022 Cadillac CT4 V-Series. Ricoh GR3 18mm, f/3.2, 1/2000 sec. ISO 200. Photo by James Wilder.