The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Still Kicks Ass: Review

I won’t further lament the slow death of the V-8. I won’t bemoan the fact that there are fewer than 30 manual cars left on the US market. Hell, I won’t even bring up the fact that Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge have all but given up on the four-door muscle car genre entirely.

Instead, I’ll simply say this: The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing fuckin’ rocks.

As the last vestige of V-8-powered, four-door, rear-wheel-drive American goodness, the already excellent CT5-V Blackwing earns a few upgrades for 2025. Those upgrades improve the styling and technology while adding an optional new Precision package that makes it even more potent on the track. As if there wasn’t already so much to love about this car.

One thing that doesn’t change for 2025: The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is still a cruise missile on wheels. The supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 makes 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque; shoutout to Mike Ward who built this V-8 by hand, as etched forever in time on the engine cover. It’s paired to a six-speed manual transmission that sends power exclusively to the rear wheels, just like the good Lord intended.

This car rips off the line, racing to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds with the manual (or 3.4 seconds with the automatic) and on to a top speed of over 200 miles per hour. The standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires give the Blackwing plenty of grip, but still allow you to turn the rear rubbers into a cloud of smoke if you’re so inclined. Opting for the new Precision package gives you the option of ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires designed specifically for on-track use. But, our tester did without that option.

The MagneRide 4.0 dampers are as good as ever. The CT5-V Blackwing’s ride strikes a perfect balance between comfort and agility, never once shattering your back on broken pavement or feeling uncouth in corners. This car will absolutely carve up your nearest mountain road with ease and keep you coddled the entire way home.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Pros: Amazing Engine (Obviously), Still Has A Manual, Comfortable Enough To Drive Daily, Excellent Tech

The CT5 is a big sedan, so there is still some body roll and a good amount of movement in really tight corners, more than a comparable Audi RS7 Performance or BMW M5. But the Blackwing never feels out of control. Even with the tires squealing it remains within the realm of sanity—and certainly fun.

The steering is one of the few areas that could use improvement—at least on the base car. It’s heavy and vague at times, especially on tighter, narrower roads, which means you might have a harder time pointing the Cadillac’s big nose exactly where you want it. But with upgrades to the suspension and tire setup on the Precision package, the steering supposedly feels lighter, quicker, and easier to manage.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

As a daily driver, though, the CT5-V Blackwing does its job arguably better than any other car in its dwindling class. This Caddy is supremely comfortable, easy to drive, and surprisingly quiet at low speeds—as any Cadillac should be. The only sound you really hear from inside the cabin is the howling of the supercharged V-8 when you get on it hard. Not a complaint.

The standard high-performance bucket seats were definitely designed to keep you in place. The bolstering is aggressive and the seating position puts you low and deep into the leather. But similar to the suspension, they’re not so aggressive that you won’t be comfortable in them daily. The same can’t be said of BMW’s performance seating option.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: Questionable Facelift, Too Many Expensive Options

One of the biggest upgrades for 2025 is the arrival of a lovely new 33.0-inch interface that combines the digital instrument cluster with the central touchscreen. Everything looks crisp and clean, and it’s all easy to use. Of course, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Cadillac even kept a few necessary hard buttons for things like the volume, tuning, and HVAC controls.

Baked into that new infotainment system is a Performance Data Recorder that comes optional on the CT5. If you plan on tracking this car regularly, it’s worth it. The Cosworth-developed system allows you to record video and data of your track sessions—simply pop a memory card into a slot to the left of the steering wheel. It also projects a lap timer on the touchscreen and allows you to compare lap times.

Not that the Blackwing’s exterior really needed updating, but designers gave the CT5 a facelift nonetheless. The entire model range gets new vertically oriented headlights that combine with black vents on each corner of the bumper. A larger daytime running light now trickles down from the hood—and it looks sleek—while the grille and lower bumper get shapely changes.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Is the new CT5-V Blackwing better looking than its predecessor? Not to my eye—but your opinion may differ. One thing that’s indisputable is that the new Typhoon metallic green paint rules. It joins Cyber Yellow metallic for 2025, and they’re both definitely worth the extra $625.

Even without the optional Performance Package or, in this case, access to a track, the CT5-V Blackwing is still an absolute riot on the road. If you want a more in-depth track review of the upgraded Blackwing, you can read our first drive right here.

Otherwise, the Blackwing is still an excellent on-road companion that allows you to have lots of (measured) fun. The supercharged V-8 is powerful, smooth, and refined. And paired to a six-speed manual, it’s some of the most fun you can have with your clothes on. The suspension finds that perfect medium between performance and comfort, as does the interior with its wonderfully shaped and wonderfully comfy bucket seats.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

At $96,990, a new CT5-V Blackwing is on the cheaper side of expensive. A base Porsche Panamera is $104,795, the new BMW M5 is $120,675, and the outgoing Audi RS7 Performance is $131,195. And none of them have a manual. Really, the only option on this tester was the $625 paint job—and it was well worth it. That brought the as-tested price to an estimated $99,090, which feels like a steal.

There are plenty of upgrades you can add to the CT5-V Blackwing for 2025, including that aforementioned $18,000 Precision package, that hike the price pretty significantly. But unless you plan on tracking it every weekend, even a bare-bones CT5-V Blackwing is still an absolute hoot. How could it not be with a supercharged V-8 and a manual?

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Jeff Perez / Motor1