The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a high-performance version of the company’s midsize sedan. It's the range-topping version of the current CT5 and slots above CT5-V in terms of power. Performance-wise, the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing is the first true successor to the CTS-V, as the CT5-V doesn’t fill the bill with its V-6 engine. On top of a powerful V-8 engine rated at 668 horsepower, the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing also features a more aggressive exterior and a revised interior with unique features and upgrades. Find out what to expect from this beefed-up sedan from our review below.

Exterior

The Blackwing model isn't significantly more aggressive than the CT5-V on the outside, but it comes with several key features that help it stand out while also improve its aerodynamics. Up front, the Blackwing features a unique mesh grille for the main and lower openings. They employ the usual honeycomb-style design, but the holes are bigger than on the CT5-V model. The main grille isn't just for looks, though. This design helps improve airflow into the engine, while secondary reeds that influence backdraft angles direct air toward the main radiators and the airflow ducts.

Cadillac redesigned the lower intake for the Blackwing too. It now incorporates trapezoidal vents onto the sides, while the center section features the same mesh grille as the main intake above. This layout directs airflow to the auxiliary charge coolers and reduces pressure. The side vents send air into the brake-cooling ducts. Moving further to the sides, the vertical vents are smaller on the Blackwing, but they're also functional, featuring horizontal louvers. Down below, a black splitter completes the aerodynamic package. A beefed-up engine hood is the only thing missing that would have made this sedan perfect up front.

The Blackwing's profile is largely similar to the regular CT5-V, but there are a couple of details setting it apart. First, Cadillac added small vents in the lower front fenders and remodeled the side skirts. The Blackwing also sits a tad closer to the ground, but it's hardly noticeable. Finally, it features unique wheels made from forged aluminum. They measure 19 inches front and rear and are available in either satin Graphite or polished with Dark Android pockets. Both designs feature laser-etched "V-Series" logos in the center. The multi-spoke rims give a clear view of the Brembo calipers, which can be had in bronze, red, blue, or grey.

Around back, the Blackwing sports a bigger black spoiler on the trunk lid, a black trim element atop the license plate recess, and dark-tinted taillights. The diffuser with vertical fins and the larger, black-painted exhaust pipes also contribute to the sedan's menacing look. While not overly aggressive, the CT5-V Blackwing looks just right, combining the elegance of a Cadillac sedan with the sportiness for a track-prepped car.

If you want to take things up a notch, Cadillac offers a carbon-fiber package that includes a splitter, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser made from the lightweight composite. Just like the smaller CT4-V Blackwing, the CT5-V Blackwing features underbody panels that reduce drag and improve capability at the race track.

Interior

Inside the cabin, the Blackwing is sportier and slightly fancier CT5-V. Cadillac offers three different trims. Go with the base model, and it comes with sports seats wrapped in leather and equipped with heating and ventilation functions, as well as lumbar massage and 18-way adjustability. The rear seats are also leather-appointed. There's a high-performance steering wheel with additional controls and carbon-fiber trim, carbon inserts on the dash, center console, and door panels, and a Taffeta headliner. The upholstery is Jet Black for this model.

Opt for the mid-level interior, and you get the performance front seats with heavier bolstering. They also feature leather and microfiber upholstery and a back panel. The bundle also adds a microfiber interior and enables you to go with a Sky Cool Grey color instead of black. The third interior package adds carbon-fiber back panels to the front seats, Opus leather, and microfiber to the door panels, and unlocks Natural Tan as a third upholstery color.

But you can take things further and turn the Blackwing into a full-fledged track-day car by selecting the optional carbon-fiber racing seats. These feature a bookmatched carbon-fiber pattern, a first for the auto industry, and a cool item that sets Cadillac apart from the competition. The steering wheel also features magnesium shift paddles if you go with the automatic gearbox and buttons for V-Mode and the Performance Traction Management system. The manual Blackwing also comes with a few unique goodies, including a center console with carbon-fiber accents and a shifter with a 3D-printed medallion cap.

When it comes to tech and premium features, the Blackwing model is fitted with the already familiar 12-inch instrument cluster. The all-digital unit is fully configurable and features unique Blackwing graphics. You can also customize performance settings and activate a Track screen that shows performance timers for 0 to 60 mph sprints, quarter-mile runs, and lap times. The CT5-V Blackwing comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Surround Vision with a recording function. The standard package also includes a head-up display and an AKG premium audio system with 15 speakers.

The 10-inch infotainment display is a bit smaller than what you can get from the competition, but it's loaded with Blackwing-specific features and apps, and it can be synced to Cadillac's latest Performance Data Recorder. Available on the options list, it enables you to record every aspect of your driving experience at the track or on the road. It comes with real-time audio and front camera video, enhanced resolution, and a new design for timing overlays.

Drivetrain and Performance

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing comes with a supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 engine under the hood. Does it sound familiar? Well, it should, because it's the same engine that Cadillac offered in the CTS-V. The unit has been updated, though, so it now packs a bit more punch. Specifically, it cranks out 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque.

The introduction of the CT5-V Blackwing also marks the midsize sedan's return to V-8 power. While the regular CT5 features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the CT5-V comes with a 3.0-liter V-6. The latter is rated at 335 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of twist, so the Blackwing badge comes with an extra 333 horses and 259 pound-feet of torque. Impressive!

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing more powerful than the CTS-V?

That's an important question because the CT5-V was rather disappointing when compared to the old CTS-V. As a proper successor to the might CTS-V, the Blackwing is indeed more powerful, but not by much. The old CTS-V came with 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, so the Blackwing packs an additional 28 horses and 29 pound-feet of twist.

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing more powerful than the competition?

The Blackwing competes in a difficult niche currently dominated by the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 in the United States. The Bimmer features a twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V_8 that packs 591 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That's far behind the Cadillac, but the Germans also offer an M5 Competition version with 617 horses and 553 pound-feet of twist. Finally, there's the M5 CS with 627 horsepower and the same torque rating.

The AMG E63 also features a twin-turbo V-8, but in the form of a 4.0-liter unit. Mercedes also offers two versions. here's a base model with 563 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque and an S variant with 603 horses and 627 pound-feet of twist. It's pretty obvious that the Blackwing wins the horsepower and torque wars, even though the Mercs also include an electric motor that packs 20 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

How fast is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing?

Cadillac says that the Blackwing sedan is powerful enough to hit 60 mph from a standing start in 3.7 seconds. This benchmark is with the automatic transmission. There's no figure for the manual model, but it's probably two tenths slower, so expect it to get to 60 mph in 3.9 clicks. The four-door has an estimated top speed of "over 200 mph," meaning that it's likely capable of around 202 mph.

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing faster than the CTS-V?

The CTS-V was launched with an official rating of 3.7 seconds, so no, the Blackwing isn't quicker. As far as official figures go, they're just as quick to this benchmark. When it comes to top speed, the old CTS-V is rated at 200 mph, so in theory, the Blackwing should be only marginally faster (like one or two mph above 200).

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing faster than the competition?

Although it packs more punch, the Blackwing is slower than the BMW M5. But that's because the German sedan features an all-wheel-drive system. Thanks to its four-wheel power, the M5 needs only 3.3 seconds to hit 60 mph, four-tenths quicker than the Cadillac. The M5 CS is even quicker at 2.9 seconds. However, the M5 won't go beyond 189 mph, so the Blackwing remains the fastest on the top speed front. Moving over to the Mercedes-AMG E63, it's also quicker with a 3.3-second benchmark, but it's not as fast with a top speed rating of 186 mph.

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing comes with a manual transmission

The CT5-V Blackwing is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. This makes it the only performance sedan in this niche offered with a three-pedal and shifter layout. Cadillac's transmission of choice is a six-speed Tremec with a twin-disc clutch, Active Rev Matching, and No-Lift Shift. The latter enables you to short gears without letting off the gas pedal. If you don't want to row your own, Cadillac also offers a 10-speed automatic gearbox. It features a Tap Shift/Manual Mode that activates the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and unique calibration.

The Blackwing is also fitted with a limited-slip rear differential that enhances grip by sending torque to the rear wheel with the most traction during hard cornering. Another highlight is the fourth-generation Magnetic Ride Control system and suspension upgrades such as stiffer spring rates, unique hollow stabilizer bars, and higher rate bushings. The layout remains traditional, with MacPherson struts in the front and a five-link independent configuration in the rear. Stopping power comes from a Brembo braking system with 15.6-inch rotors in the front and 14.7-inch rotors in the rear. These are paired to six-piston and four-piston calipers, respectively. These are also the largest rotors ever fitted on a Cadillac. Optionally, the company offers a carbon-ceramic brake package that improves heat management, reduces braking distance, and cuts unsprung and rotating mass.

How much does the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing cost?

The CT5-V Blackwing is on sale as we speak from $84,990. That's a pretty big premium over the CT5-V, priced from $47,695, but it's actually a bit more affordable than its predecessor, the CTS-V. The CT5-V Blackwing is also significantly more affordable than the BMW M5, priced from $103,500, and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, which retails from $107,500.

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing better than the BMW M5?

Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the BMW is now more advanced and more powerful than before. Featuring a revised twin-turbo V-8 under the hood, the M5 comes with a solid 591 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque on tap. BMW also offers an M5 Competition trim that packs an even more impressive 617 horses. While that’s still inferior to the Blackwing, the M5 is actually quicker to 60 mph, needing 3.3 seconds to hit the benchmark. That’s because it comes with an all-wheel-drive system. Its top speed is usually limited to 155 mph, but the M Driver’s Package unlocks a 190-mph top speed. But that’s still below what the CT5-V Blackwing delivers. BMW also offers a limited-edition CS model that packs 627 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. Pricing for the BMW M5 starts from $103,500, while the M5 Competition will set you back $111,100 before other options.

Read our full stories on the BMW M5 and BMW M5 CS.

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing better than the Mercedes-AMG E63?

The E-Class was redesigned in 2016, so it’s a bit older than the M5. But it was the most advanced midsize sedan when it first came up and it won’t have any problems keeping up with the Cadillac in terms of features and technology. Power-wise, it also features a twin-turbo V-8. The "base" AMG E63 model delivers 563 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of twist, while the E63 S version takes it up a notch at 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. The Merc also falls behind the Blackwing in the power department, but it’s the only sedan that offers almost similar torque at 627 pound-feet. The AMG is quicker with a 0-to-60 benchmark of 3.3 seconds. Pricing for the AMG E63 S starts from $107,500.

Read our full story on the Mercedes-AMG E63.

Conclusion

When Cadillac unveiled the CT5-V back in 2019, enthusiasts were rather disappointed. That’s because the sedan that was supposed to replace the 640-horsepower CTS-V arrived with only 360 horses at its disposal. Not to mention that it didn’t look very sporty either. Well, it turns out Cadillac was saving the big-power V-8 engine for the Blackwing badge. With 668 horsepower on tap, the Blackwing is the long-awaited successor to the CTS-V and Cadillac once again takes the lead in the horsepower war in the midsize market. It's also be notably more affordable, which is a big plus, but it remains to be seen if Cadillac will be able to steal some customers from BMW and Mercedes with its new beefed-up sedan.