If you’re looking for a mid-size sedan that can tear up the track as well as it can cruise along the highway, then it’s likely that the BMW M5 is already on your radar. However, what if we told you that there was an even more impressive sedan, and it was actually built by an American automaker?

The M5 set the standard for mid-size performance sedans when it first hit the roads. However, since then it has been softened and leans more in the direction of luxury than its hard-edged predecessors. The American sedan we focus on in this article brings a bonkers level of entertainment that we feel the M5 lacks.

We take a look at this fantastic performance sedan and how it stacks up against its competition. Outlining its features, we take a look at what makes it such a special car in such a crowded segment. We decipher how much a new model will cost you and what kind of luxury elements you can expect as well.

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Cadillac’s CT5-V Blackwing Is a Near-Perfect Sports Sedan

Long ago, BMW’s M5 set a standard for mid-size sports sedans that every other automaker has had to strive for. While it has sat at the top for a long time, there is currently another model on the market that may actually be better, despite not being as popular. Cadillac’s 2025 CT5-V Blackwing is a raucous yet refined machine that will thrill you as much as it will keep you comfortable.

Performance Specifications

One of the biggest criticisms that people have of the M5 is that it has become far too subdued. While its performance is still exceptional, it is so ridiculously over-engineered that there is little space for the driver to find a lot of fun in it. While those looking for the best spec sheet may still opt for the M5, we think that the Cadillac delivers a more visceral driving experience.

The CT5-V Blackwing is quintessentially American. It comes standard with a massive, supercharged V-8, something that has become quite rare in the automotive world today. It is also surprisingly reliable. While the lack of all-wheel drive may be seen as a negative to some, rear-wheel drive adds to the level of driver engagement. Finally, the fact that Cadillac still offers this massive sports sedan with a manual transmission is worthy of applause.

Beyond the mechanics of the engine and the transmission, the American brand has gone through a lot of effort to make the CT5-V Blackwing the perfect track weapon. It comes fitted with a limited-slip differential and Performance Traction Management, allowing the driver to keep on the throttle all the way through a corner. The second you move off the track, though, the magnetorheological dampers sense how you want to drive and the conditions of the road to give you exceptional ride quality.

Fuel Economy

It may seem odd to talk about fuel economy when it comes to a track-ready sports sedan, but it is one area that is becoming increasingly competitive, even in this segment. The BMW M5, for instance, is now a plug-in hybrid, and while its gas-only efficiency is worse than the Cadillac’s, it can travel on electric power only for short distances, meaning you can daily it without getting a massive fuel bill.

The CT5-V Blackwing is designed to be a performance machine, though, meaning that it does guzzle fuel regardless of whether you commute on the highway or in the city. At least you can find solace in the fact that the automatic and manual models return the same fuel economy figures, meaning you aren’t penalized further for opting for the six-speed.

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The CT5-V Blackwing Is Tens Of Thousands Less Expensive Than The M5

Even when you’re spending six figures on a sports sedan, value is still something that should get your attention. While a fully-kitted M5 can cost you well over $130,000, the Cadillac can be had for just under $100,000. Thirty thousand dollars is nothing to scoff at. On top of this, the Cadillac comes exceptionally well-kitted, definitely giving you plenty of machine for your money.

2026 Trims and Pricing

For the 2025 model year, the CT5-V Blackwing underwent a refresh, alongside the regular CT5 sedan. It got a wider grille and reworked lighting elements to give it a more modern and refined look. It also better set itself apart from the regular sedan with more aggressive-looking sheetmetal. On the inside, the 10-inch touchscreen was ditched for a massive 33-inch unit instead. For 2026, all Cadillac has done is add Blind Zone Steering as standard equipment and gotten rid of some interior color options.

The CT5-V Blackwing exists in a segment where almost every one of its competitors is more expensive to start with. On top of this, you see costs start to stack up on many of its rivals as you make your way through the configurator. The Cadillac comes well-equipped and it doesn’t exactly feel like you’re getting ripped off every time you select an optional extra.

Optional Packages

There are a number of ways to customize your CT5-V Blackwing to make it personal to you, from an array of exterior paint colors to finely crafted interior upholstery options. Basic black leather upholstery is standard, but you can opt for full semi-aniline seating instead. Chosing between the more comfortable performance bucket seats and the more focused high-performance bucket seats won’t cost you anything.

A number of other packages are available, with the Red, Blue, and Bronze accent packages changing the color of a number of elements. Carbon fiber packages can also be had. The most important package by far, though, is the Precision Package, which improves performance. This $18,000 package adds a number of features, including carbon ceramic breaks, a more performance-focused suspension tune, and a complete rework of a ton of other mechanical pieces resulting in a more responsive and tighter machine. Finally, it comes with a set of 19-inch high-performance summer tires.

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Cadillac Delivers An Exceptional Interior In The CT5-V Blackwing

When you’re buying a larger sports sedan like the CT5-V Blackwing, you expect a level of opulence on the inside. While performance is definitely the focus with this impressive machine, you can quite comfortably drive it on a day-to-day basis thanks to the level of refinement offered on the inside for you and whatever passengers you may have.

Interior Design and Comfort

The one area that needed slight improvement in the CT5-V Blackwing, before it got facelifted, was the interior. Cadillac isn’t quite where it once was in terms of interior comfort and it showed. However, the facelifted model features a much improved dashboard that looks sleeker and more impressive than a lot of high-performance luxury cars.

Comfort is clearly a priority in this brilliant Cadillac, with the leather-upholstered front seats coming with 18-way power adjustability. These seats are also ventilated and heated, and you get heating in the back seats as well. A sunroof lets in plenty of natural light during the day and customizable ambient lighting allows you to set the vibe otherwise. Dual-zone automatic climate control is also standard.

Infotainment and Technology

As mentioned before, one of the biggest upgrades that Cadillac made was to the screen in the CT5. Now a large 33-inch screen displays both the digital gauges and the infotainment system. This massive screen boasts an impressive 9K resolution, and it responds quickly and smoothly. If you aren’t the biggest fan of touch controls, you can also use the rotary knob on the center console to control the system instead. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.

Tech is used for both comfort and performance in the CT5-V Blackwing, and this extends to the interior. A Performance Data Recorder can display key information for your track days, such as lap timings, ideal racing lines, and your speed as compared to total distance on track. On the practicality side of things, a wireless charging pad is standard, as is a 16-speaker AKG sound system with active noise cancellation to keep the cabin quiet.

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