When many hear the name “Cadillac,” they instantly think of “luxury prices.” However, Cadillac has made a concerted effort in recent years to make more affordable offerings for their drivers who are still building their wealth but do need (or just want) a sophisticated vehicle that’s in line with their goals. If you’re someone who wants an upscale vehicle to take clients to lunch in or pull up to important meetings, you can absolutely drive that highly respected Cadillac name for a moderate price point. As Mankato’s dedicated Cadillac dealer, we strive to ensure our customers understand just how diverse the Cadillac lineup is and to show them models that fit their lifestyle and budget.
We get a lot of questions about the CT4 (Cadillac’s compact sedan) and the CT5 (the manufacturer’s midsize sedan). People specifically want to know which one is correct for them. At first glance, they look rather similar, and their price points are a mere few grand apart, so it’s understandable that many drivers find themselves choosing between the two. Both of these sedans have eye-catching body lines and curvatures that embody the world-class elegance of Cadillac. They both feature starting MSRPs at less than $40,000 too. They even have the same trim options: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. While their differences might seem subtle, depending on what you want out of a vehicle, they might matter a lot to you. So, should you get the Cadillac CT4 or CT5? Let’s take a look at what each has to offer to their respective driver.

Cargo and Passenger Space
One of the clear differences between these two vehicles is going to be just how much space you have. Ask yourself if you plan on transporting passengers often, how many you think you’ll have on a regular basis, and how tall they are.
For some drivers, the CT4’s compact dimensions are more than enough. In fact, they consider them a perk if they have to park in tight spots on a regular basis. On the other hand, some people need the space of the midsize CT5. Below is a look at some of the key measurements for each.
The CT4 has a trunk volume of 10.7 cu.ft., whereas the CT5’s trunk boasts 11.9 cu.ft. of space for your stuff. That 1.2 cu.ft. of extra space might not seem major. However, if you’re wondering how large a cubic foot is, imagine something with the exact width, length, and depth of the length of your forearm (give or take). That’s roughly the size of one small carry-on bag. If you need that room, then you simply need it.
As for passenger volume, the difference is surprisingly substantial between these two models. The CT4 gets 90 cu.ft. of passenger volume, while the CT5 gets a total of 99 cu.ft. of passenger volume. That’s a whole nine cu.ft. more of space, and it’s a difference that adult passengers are going to notice. If you transport mostly small children, you might not need this extra space. However, if you travel with adults in the rear seat, they’ll like the extra room. Plus, the CT5 is even three inches wider than the CT4, for a little extra elbow room, too. It’s also three inches taller for your vertically accomplished passengers.
Engine Power/Performance
There is an interesting tradeoff that happens between these two vehicles when you begin to look at power and performance.
Let’s first review their respective engine options. The CT4 has a 2.0L Turbo I-4 and 2.7L Turbo I-4 available. The 2.7L engine offers a maximum horsepower rating of 310, and the 2.0L engine will net you 237 hp. These are certainly both peppy engine options. Meanwhile, the CT5 engine lineup starts with the 2.7L Turbo I-4 and progresses to a 3.0L Turbo V6. So, consider how much power you want under the hood of your sedan. If you want to feel a kick when you hit the gas, you’ll find that in the V6 of the CT4.
As for the transmission, the CT4 gives drivers the option of an eight or 10-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, on the CT5, you’re just looking at the 10-speed automatic transmission. That isn’t technically a knock against the model since many drivers like the added step in the transmission. And, the larger sedan sort of needs it because it does see a little dip in fuel economy compared to the CT4. It is minimal, but if you do a lot of driving on a regular basis, you will find yourself pulling over for gas more in the CT5.
Now, while the CT5 is more powerful, the CT4 speeds up faster. In fact, Cadillac reports that it can go from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds, which we think is pretty impressive. Finally, rear-wheel drive is standard on both vehicles, but all-wheel drive is optional on both, too. Drivers who need to be able to send more torque to all four wheels in certain climates can get what they need in both vehicles.
Infotainment
The biggest difference in infotainment between these two vehicles is the size of the touch screen, which sits at eight inches for the CT4 and 10 inches for the CT5. Drivers who like really large graphics for things like navigation route, current song information, weather updates, and more will see the difference in the CT5.
Besides the touchscreen differences, the vehicles offer similar infotainment like standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Wi-Fit hotspot compatibility. Drivers can even choose a Bose speaker system in both models for those who only accept the finest in sound systems.

The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 Are Elegant, Affordable, and Just a Bit Different
As you can see, the differences between these two models are subtle, but it’s certainly there. It is important to note them because there is a bit of a price difference. We never encourage our customers to pay more for features that they don’t need. So, if you believe that the dimensions and the power of the CT4 will meet your needs, then we say it’s a really excellent compact sedan that’s fun to drive, comfortable and beautiful. It’s a great vehicle for a young professional looking for style and fuel economy, all wrapped in a vehicle from a highly respected manufacturer.
Drivers who know they will have adult passengers in their rear seats frequently or who plan on taking lots of overnight trips and need trunk space for luggage should consider the CT5. It is taller and wider than the CT4 and has nine more cubic feet of passenger volume. If you have tall passengers, they’ll thank you for the extra head space in the CT5. If you’re after a more powerful engine, you’ll likewise want to consider the CT5.
We love taking our customers for test drives in both of these vehicles so they can compare how they feel behind the wheel. We’re getting new models in constantly and are ready to show our Mankato neighbors why we love these sedans so much. If you want a Cadillac at an affordable price that doesn’t skip on style or function, visit us and test drive the CT4 or CT5 today.


