The Underrated Cadillac V-Sport Sedan V8 Fans Now Grab Cheap

8 minutes reading

Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 11:00 0 8 autotech

Cadillac has long been known for V-power and sporty luxury prowess; it has turned out some of the best American sports sedans and coupes ever. However, in the past few years, there has been just one model on the lips of drivers looking for a Cadillac with some serious V8 grunt: the Blackwing.

Cadillac Performance Doesn’t Have To Mean Blackwing Money

Front action shot of 2020 Cadillac CT5-V driving on road

Cadillac

The V8 is arguably the best engine configuration, but we are seeing less and less of them in the sports car market today. Yes, you get smooth power and lots of low-end torque, but for the most part, V8s have all but been replaced by smaller turbocharged engines and hybrid powertrains.

The 3.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V6 Makes It A Serious Performance Sedan

Close-up shot of 2020 Cadillac CT5-V engine bay

The CT5-V is equipped with a high-output 3.0-liter bi-turbo LGY V6 paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to the rear wheels as standard, but you can get used examples with all-wheel drive included.

The dual turbos have electronic wastegates; SIDI provides precise fuel injection; variable displacement lubrication matches oil pressure to deliver the right amount of oil depending on engine speed; a DOHC and VVT are included; and thanks to the oversquare build (86 mm bore and 85.8 mm stroke), you get a very immediate throttle response across the rev range.

CT5-V Gives Buyers 360 HP And 405 LB-FT For Far Less

Front 3/4 action shot of 2020 Cadillac CT5-V driving on road

First released in 2020, this V6-equipped sports sedan offers much of what the Blackwing does, but for less money. There may not be a supercharged V8 under the hood like in the Blackwing, but the 2020–2026 Cadillac CT5-V is still good for 360 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and a very healthy 405 pound-feet of torque at between 2,350 and 4,000 rpm. This translates to 0–60 mph times of 4.6 to 4.8 seconds, and a limited top speed of 156 mph.

CT5-V Shares More With The Blackwing Than You’d Expect

Front 3/4 shot of 2020 Cadillac CT5-V parked

The Blackwing may well be the prized model of the CT5-V lineup, and it is the fastest, most powerful, and most capable on track, but the CT5-V still has a few tricks up its sleeve. There are currently (October 2026) 12 reviews on Kelley Blue Book, but all owners say they’d recommend buying one, and rate the CT5-V (not including the Blackwing) 4.9 out of 5 for performance, and 5 out of 5 for value, styling, reliability, and comfort.

Alpha 2, Magnetic Ride Control, And Brembo Brakes Give It The Right Hardware

Close-up shot of 2020 Cadillac CT5-V wheel

You could spend 2026 Blackwing money and get a six-speed manual transmission, an eLSD, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, Brembo brakes, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, and Performance Traction Management (PTM), but if you look at what the 2020–2025 CT5-V gets, you may question spending so much. The CT5-V is one of the most athletic “lower trims” and gets Magnetic Ride Control with Gen-4 adaptive dampers, four-piston Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and the GM Alpha 2 platform.

The Alpha 2 is the evolutionary step forward from the platform that underpins the sixth-generation Camaro and CTS, and it is the foundation that gives the CT5-V genuine handling prowess. You get a longitudinal front-engine layout, 50:50 weight distribution, a stiff chassis, a sport-tuned double-pivot MacPherson front strut, and a five-link independent rear setup. In short, it gets a lot of what you could want in a modern sports sedan that is built to be driven.

The Blackwing’s Supercharged V8 Is The Major Difference

Front 3/4 action shot of 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing in blue being driven

Shot of 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing engine bay

The most obvious distinction is the V8 that the Blackwing gets. The “real” Blackwing engine is a 4.2-liter bi-turbo V8 used in the CT6-V and CT6 Platinum, and is good for 550 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque.

When Cadillac brought back the Blackwing name in 2022, it equipped the CT5-V Blackwing with a hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged pushrod V8 that produces 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard, but a ten-speed automatic transmission is also available. The CT5-V cannot compete for outright speed; the Blackwing can reach 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds and top out at around 205 mph.

Used Prices Show The CT5-V Was Overlooked

Front 3/4 action shot of 2024 Cadillac CT5-V being driven

If you want that kind of speed and the supercharged V8, though, it is going to cost you. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average used price for a 2022 Blackwing is $72,800; for a 2023 model, $76,600; for a 2024 model, $85,200; and for a one-year-old model, between $88,000 and $120,000.

$33,000–$48,000 CT5-V Sits Far Below Used Blackwings

Profile shot of 2023 Cadillac CT5-V parked

Also according to Kelley Blue Book, a 2020 CT5-V will cost you $33,200 on the used market; a 2021 model will cost you $35,400; and the 2022 model will cost you $39,500. A three-year-old CT5-V will set you back $44,300, while a two-year-old model has an average used price of $44,000, and a one-year-old model, around $57,000.

The 2025 model is the first year of the refreshed CT5-V, hence the higher price. It comes with a high-res 33-inch touchscreen, new paint choices, more safety tech, and tweaked exterior features in the shape of a black mesh grille, black surrounds, a lower grille, and reshaped front air intakes. If you want a brand new one, it will cost you around $58,300. That is significantly less than the Blackwing, but the CT5-V still delivers considerable sporty capability.

CT4-V Blackwing Offers A V6 In A Smaller, Lighter Package

Front 3/4 action shot of 2026 Cadillac CT4-V parked

Close-up shot of 2026 Cadillac CT4-V Engine

The CT5 is classed as a mid-sized luxury sedan, measuring in at 193.8 inches by 80.3 inches (with mirrors). This relatively big footprint allows for up to 42.4 inches of front legroom, 37.9 inches of rear legroom, and a decent trunk size of 11.9 cubic feet. However, if you want something smaller, the CT4-V Blackwing still offers up to 10.7 cubic feet of storage space, up to 42.4 inches of front legroom, and 33.4 inches of rear legroom in a smaller package that measures in at 187.2 inches by 77.7 inches.

You also get a far more powerful engine in the form of a 3.6-liter bi-turbo LF4 V6 that produces 472 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 445 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. Thanks to the lighter weight, this translates to 0–60 mph times of between 3.9 and 4.1 seconds and a very direct feel, not to mention a more city-friendly size.

To benefit from the Blackwing badge and as a very worthwhile alternative to both the CT5-V and Blackwing, a 2022 CT4-V Blackwing will cost you $49,400, a 2023 model will cost you $54,100, a 2024 model will cost you $51,700, and a 2025 model will cost you around ~$61,000.

The CT5-V Is A Performance Sedan Worth Hunting For Used

Front 3/4 shot of 2025 Cadillac CT5-V parked

There is an obvious trade-off to not buying a Blackwing: you do not get a supercharged V8 under the hood. You also don’t get the true Cadillac halo sports sedan. The Blackwing has somewhat resurrected the idea in the modern market that you can still have a powerful V8 in a usable, everyday package.

The Blackwing is not the right choice if fuel economy is a priority; FuelEconomy.gov says it can achieve 15 combined mpg, and while the CT5-V is not much better at between 20 and 21 combined mpg, fuel economy is another factor to weigh against the much higher used prices of the Blackwing. The Blackwing is rightly the standout performer in the Cadillac lineup, but its new and used prices certainly reflect that. Its V8 niche, luxury interior standards, already-legendary nameplate, and genuine performance credentials have ensured prices will likely stay high for some time.

A V6-equipped CT5-V may have two fewer cylinders and is slower, which is in part why it has been overlooked, but you can still reach 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, and it is still well-equipped for back roads and track days. That is, after all, what a luxury sports sedan is made for. You still get a generous interior considering its performance capabilities, a lot of Blackwing-borrowed DNA, and, most importantly, an attractive used price for those who want performance without the premium.