Corvette Cousins: Cadillac’s CT4-V Blackwing is Brilliant

The CT4-V Blackwing is one of the best American sedans ever made and the very last of its kind. Don’t miss your chance to buy one.

When I was a kid, Cadillac made vehicles best described as leather couches on wheels. Once the very definition of American luxury, Cadillacs had slowly devolved into cheap, plastic barges for grandparents. But then something amazing happened. Cadillac decided to compete with the Ultimate Driving Machine, very much like how Corvette punches above its performance weight class. The CT4-V Blackwing arrives as one of the final two gasoline-powered descendants of this branding pivot.

That’s right, the CT4-V Blackwing and its bigger, badder brother, the CT5-V Blackwing, mark the end of Cadillac performance using gasoline. Everything after this generation will be all-electric. Will the same be true for the C9 Corvette? (Probably.)

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Cadillac, for their part, decided to end ICE performance on a high note. The CT4 variant, the smaller of the two Blackwings, is the precision scalpel, chasing down the BMW M3 which created and benchmarks the sports sedan segment. The CT5-V Blackwing, which we hope to review in the coming months, is a six-figure, LT4-powered sledgehammer with eyes on the BMW M5.

CT4-V Blackwing Key Specs

The CT4-V Blackwing starts at just under $60,000 (including delivery) but our loaner’s MSRP topped $76 grand thanks to two carbon fiber packages and several interior upgrades. Drop the carbon and you could easily be in the $70,000 range.

• Horsepower: 472
• Torque: 445 lb-ft
• Engine: twin-turbo 3.6L V6
• Transmission: Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual with a LuK Twin-Disc Clutch & No-Lift Shift
• Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
• Color: Electric Blue
• Leather, suede and steering wheel upgrade package
• Performance Data Recorder
• Exterior and interior carbon fiber packages
• Blue brake calipers
• Technology package
• Climate package

What We Love

It’s hard to find many faults with the CT4-V Blackwing. Crisp styling blends modern refinement and hey-now-THIS-is-a-flagship-sports-sedan aggression. The 472-pony engine absolutely hauls this four-door up to illegal speeds while screaming like a race car. And the manual transmission is sublime. I still haven’t mastered no-lift shifting — it seems like the car goes into a launch control mode between shifts — but powershifting at redline was easy with no missed gears or grinding. (Although make sure to warm up the car before getting into it.)

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I was also blown away by the Blackwing’s balance. It feels much lighter than 3,800 pounds and, with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, loves being tossed into corners. Speaking of which, Cadillac’s engineers tuned the handling perfectly. With the latest Magneride suspension, the CT4-V Blackwing never sacrifices comfort or capability. Honestly, as someone who owns a 2013 ATS, the current Alpha platform remains a wonderful chassis. The big Brembo brakes are also incredible, feeling almost as good as some of the carbon ceramics I’ve recently tested.

All of this in a car with four doors and a good-sized trunk. Performance, meet practicality.

What We’d Change

In my dreams, I wish Caddilace stuffed the C7’s LT1 under the hood. Imagine a four-door Camaro with all the wonderful sonics that come from its tailpipe. But, alas, those days are gone and I’ve learned to love the twin-turbo V6 despite the deceleration burble tune. I know many folks dig the pops and burbles, but it’s just not for me personally. And what’s great is that, if you prefer, you really can quiet the exhaust tone. Or open it up and let ‘er pop and bang! Up to you.

The only other major downside of this, or any other CT4, is rear-seat legroom. I know, I know, it’s a compact sedan. But it’s fairly uncomfortable for adults to spend much time in the back and I wish the engineers had found a couple of extra inches for passengers.

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In terms of other quibbles, the lane-keeping software is a little aggressive, and I turned it off after the car tried to steer me back toward a cyclist (it also wasn’t a fan of highway lanes merging). And lastly, given the overall excellent interior ergonomics, the steering wheel button layout feels cluttered compared to earlier generation wheels and other brands’ offerings.

Overall, most of my quibbles are small and not dealbreakers.

Who Should Buy a CT4-V Blackwing? 

This is it, enthusiasts. Your last chance to buy an incredible American sports sedan with a manual transmission. If you can’t swing six-plus figures for the CT5-V Blackwing — or don’t need the extra ponies and leg room — the CT4-V Blackwing is quite simply one of the best sports sedans ever made. American or not. And while I can’t personally vouch for it being better than the current generation M3, I’ve spoken to several people who opted for the Caddy over the Beemer.

Plus, the M3 is hideous.

Regardless, if you’re looking for a refind driver’s car with power, handling, braking, and a little four-door practicality, it’s hard to find anything else in the $60-70K range that ticks all of these same boxes.