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| 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing |
Blackwing Review: Premium Sports Sedan with Manual Transmission and V8 Power
The 2025 Cadillac
CT5-V Blackwing stands out as a rare breed of car in today’s performance sedan
segment. It’s not just another luxury four-door. It’s one of the few remaining
high-power sedans with both rear-wheel drive and an available manual
transmission, traits increasingly hard to find. For enthusiasts who want the
past and future wrapped in one sleek package, the CT5-V Blackwing is pushing
boundaries.
Cadillac made subtle but meaningful updates for
2025, refining both aesthetics and tech so the CT5-V Blackwing remains
competitive in the premium sports sedan class. On the outside, its front bumper
has been slightly reshaped, split running lights have been removed, and the
headlights are slimmer and lower—small touches, but they help it look sharper.
Inside, the previous dual screens now give way to Cadillac’s single curved
display, following cues from its larger models. But what really excites people
is the new Precision
package (code V8V), which includes improvements to the chassis
and carbon-ceramic brakes. Yes, that option is pricey—nearly an $18,000
add-on—but it makes a big difference for handling without turning the Blackwing
into a sacrifice for street comfort.
Under the hood, nothing has changed in terms of raw
power: a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 still generates 668 horsepower. Most buyers
will experience that through its 10-speed automatic, which catapults the car
from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds, with the quarter-mile done in 11.4
seconds. If you opt for the stick shift, the manual CT5-V Blackwing gives up
just a tenth of a second in these metrics—while giving drivers something almost
never seen anymore: real shifting involvement.
For all its straight-line speed, Cadillac has
ensured the CT5-V Blackwing also handles corners with poise. The chassis
upgrades, especially when the Precision package is fitted, reduce body roll,
improve steering feel, and give better track stability. Yet it remains
surprisingly comfortable for daily driving. The suspension tuning isn’t
hard-edged, so over rough roads it retains a composed ride. That’s one of the
things many reviews praise: this car isn’t just built to attack back-roads or
hammer drag strips; it’s usable in everyday life.
Of course, with that level of performance and luxury
comes cost. Base pricing for the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing lands around $99,090,
putting it at the upper end of the premium sedan category. Add-ons like the
Precision package, wheels, and carbon-ceramics add rapidly to the final bill.
Fuel efficiency (EPA combined) isn’t its strong suit—15 mpg combined—but few
buyers in this class care more about experience than economy.
What makes the CT5-V Blackwing resonate so strongly
is the rarity of its features. So many performance sedans in recent years have
abandoned manuals and rear-wheel drive, leaning instead toward all-wheel drive
or automatics only. Cadillac’s insistence on keeping these alive gives this
model an almost cult status among gearheads. It captures both nostalgia for
driving past and promise for what a true premium sports sedan can still be.
Practical considerations haven’t been left behind
either. The interior materials are high quality: soft touches, bold Alcantara,
well-bolstered seats that grip without punishing. The cabin is quiet when
cruising, though when pushed the exhaust note does remind you this is no mild
luxury car. Tech is modern: driver aids, adaptive suspension (if equipped),
infotainment, driver-assistance features—Cadillac has packed in what buyers
expect in 2025, while still preserving the raw mechanical authenticity under
the hood.
The CT5-V Blackwing’s appeal widens in markets where
buyers are looking for luxury sports sedan with manual transmission and
rear-wheel drive, but also want high power, strong performance,
and premium comfort. For those who care about acceleration numbers, about
handling sharp corners, about being engaged in the drive—not just arriving
fast—it delivers.
There are trade-offs: running costs are high,
insurance and maintenance more expensive, fuel economy low, and visibility or
maneuverability in tight city settings less ideal. But for most people
attracted to this car, those are known compromises in exchange for what it
brings: visceral speed, responsive road manners, and mechanical character.
The 2025 version improves upon previous iterations
by updating styling cues, adding the Precision package, refining interior tech,
and preserving what made the Blackwing beloved in the first place. It’s a car
that guards its roots—muscular V-8, driver involvement, rear-wheel
dynamics—while bringing enough upgrades so it doesn’t feel stuck in the past.
Seeing the CT5-V Blackwing in motion, whether
accelerating hard, carving a curve, or simply roaring past on the highway,
reminds you why performance sedans remain compelling in the age of crossovers.
Cadillac’s gamble—staying true to driving purity while keeping up with
refinements—has paid off in this case.
If you’re in the market for a premium
high-performance sedan, and you care about real driver engagement—from the
seat, hands, feet—this car deserves strong consideration. It’s not just about
horsepower; it’s about the feeling when you throw a leg over the accelerator,
hearing the supercharger spool, the V-8 rumble, and feeling connected—not
mediated by too much tech. For a buyer who wants both luxury and old-school
performance, the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is one of the best you can buy.