2020 Cadillac CT5 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The introduction of the 2020 Cadillac CT5 stems from the history of a previous model the company touted. Between 2003 and 2019, the company's luxury sport sedan was the ATS. It was created to draw consumers away from Cadillac's European competitors.

The ATS was unique. Touch-sensitive controls and the new Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system were part of the design. Unfortunately, it also featured numerous issues Cadillac's engineers couldn't resolve.

So, they came up with another idea. Rather than launching a next-generation design of the ATS, they scrapped it and built a new luxury sport sedan -- the 2020 Cadillac CT5.

The release of the model and its four trims -- Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series -- should wash away the stigma of the ATS. And with a brand new design, there's nowhere to go but up for the CT5.

This guide is presented to show the key differences between the CT5's trim levels. In turn, it should help buyers come to a decision on the right vehicle for their driving needs.

Compare the 2020 Cadillac CT5 Luxury vs Premium Luxury Trims. What is the difference?

Mechanics

The Premium and Premium Luxury work off the same powertrain. It's a two-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine. It reaches a maximum of 237 hp at 5500 rpm. In addition, it has a torque rate of 258 pound-feet.

The engine is connected to a ten-speed automatic transmission. It's run by the CT5's internal computer software to produce an Electronic Precision Shift. Together, they create a smooth shifting environment.

The Premium Luxury trim offers an optional powertrain choice in the form of a dual turbocharged V6 engine. This increases the CT5's horsepower to 335 and the torque to 400 pound-feet.

Performance

All trims, including the Premium and Premium Luxury, come in two drive styles. The standard is rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and the upgrade is all-wheel-drive (AWD).

Fuel Economy

With the standard engine, the CT5 trims have the same fuel efficiency. The combined city/highway estimate is 26 miles per gallon. Surprisingly, the mileage estimates don't change when the consumer chooses a trim with AWD. Overall, with a 17-gallon tank, the total travel time before fill-up is more than 400 miles.

Exterior

The reason the trims are named Luxury and Premium Luxury is because they offer standards and options that are well above average. For instance, the trims come with acoustic laminated glass that helps eliminate outside sounds within the passenger cabin. They also have heating elements built into the side-view mirrors to help melt snow and ice on winter days.

This is one place where the Premium Luxury differs. In addition to the heating element, the standard side-view mirror has an auto-dimming feature. If this isn't sufficient, buyers can upgrade to a side mirror with automatic folding and auto-dimming.

Another extra in the Premium Luxury is a hands-free decklid release. This permits those with full hands to open the truck cover with a gentle foot kick. This, and other optional exterior items are available in an all-encompassing Platinum package.

Interior

The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims of the 2020 Cadillac CT5 have comfortable and stylish standards. Each trim has a digital driver information display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual climate control for the driver and passenger.

The Premium Luxury takes a few steps ahead of the Luxury. It gives consumers leather-appointed seating with four-way power adjustments for the driver. On top of this, those who purchase the higher-end trim get an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and memory settings to maintain everything for the driver when they return to the car.

Audio and Infotainment

Many of the standards and options are the same between the trims. Both come with a nine-speaker sound system, touchscreen display, and trial subscription to Sirius XM radio. It is also compatible with hands-free Bluetooth while the entire vehicle is setup with a 4G LTE hotspot.

Upgrades include an eight-inch diagonal display and a 15-speaker setup. An option for the Premium Luxury is a package that provides three USB ports and a 10-inch touchscreen display.

Safety

Though both trims of the CT5 have numerous safety standards, they do lack a lot of driver aids for a sports luxury vehicle. Either they aren't available or, in the case of the Premium Luxury, come as upgrades.

What is standard on each trim is airbags, ABS, emergency braking, and GM's OnStar system to alert a central office should there be an accident. With these come driver aids that alert when another vehicle is in the CT5's blind zone or when the car is veering into another lane.

Standard items on the Premium Luxury relate to parking. Rear park assist and cross traffic alert are two examples. What comes as an option for this trim are HD surround vision cameras and a following distance indicator, among many more.

In a review of the two trims, the Premium Luxury is the best one to choose. Consumers receive more standard options than the Luxury trim for only $4,000 more. When it comes to Cadillac, this is a bargain.

Compare the 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

Mechanical

The Sport trim has the advantage here. It offers a set of four-wheel anti-lock performance brakes as standard equipment. These are resilient to heat and fade while minimizing the build-up of rust on the discs.

Exterior

Since it's the CT5's sportier trim, the Sport features standard design elements not available in the Premium Luxury. Black window surround moldings is one of these items. Also standard are taillamps coated with gray-tinted transparent outer lenses.

Interior

Again, differences are connected to the design of the Sports trim. Some, like alloy sport pedals, won't be seen by anyone other than the driver. Other items, like a suede-covered steering wheel and shift knob, are more noticeable as well as come as an upgrade.

Though there's only a $1,000 difference between the standard MSRPs of the Premium Luxury and Sport trims for the 2020 Cadillac CT5, the former is a better deal. There aren't enough differences in the Sport trim to merit a price increase. In addition, both trims share many of the same standards and upgrades.

Compare the 2020 Cadillac CT5 Sport vs V-Series Trims. What is the difference?

Mechanical

Instead of the two-liter four-cylinder engine that comes standard in the Sport, the V-Series comes with a three-liter V6 turbo. This powertrain delivers 360 horsepower and a torque of 405 pound-feet. In addition, it cuts down on the time it takes for the CT5 to accelerate between zero and 60.

The V-Series also comes with a tool that maintains control over steering in poor driving conditions. This Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD) directs power to the rear wheels to maintain stability. Particularly when taking on tight curves.

Three additional standards featured on the V-Series are solely for performance. Launch Control, Magnetic Ride Control, and Performance Traction Management keep the vehicle steady and ready for acceleration by making numerous adjustments in microseconds.

There's a $6,000 difference between the Sport and V-Series trims. Yet, consumers get a plethora of performance standards in the latter trim over the former. The only thing buyers get on the Sport is the same standards as the Premium Luxury with a few design enhancements.

In this situation, the V-Series is the better trim to go with than the Sport. Actually, some of the design standards and extras are available in the V-Series. In turn, buyers get a better deal.

2020 Cadillac CT5: Which Trim to Choose?

Between the four trims of the 2020 Cadillac CT5 there's a $10,000 difference between the "low-end" Luxury and top-line V-Series. While all are within an affordable price range for a sport luxury sedan, there's uncertainty on the value of each. Thus, deciding which trim to select may be difficult for some consumers.

It may come down to the type of driver. When this is factored in, the right trim is going to be different. Take the Luxury versus the Premium Luxury. The first trim has a lot going for it. In fact, many of its standards are the same in the Premium Luxury.

Yet, the latter inches its way into the lead with some special standards and unique upgrades. This is illustrated within the number of safety packages it has over the Luxury. Not only do several driving and parking aids comes standard but there are also several that can be added as upgrades. Though it will up the vehicle's price, it will help stretch out the lives of the CT5 and its occupants.

So, in that contest, the Premium Luxury would win. It's the same when that trim is pitted against the Sport. There isn't much difference between the two besides some minor exterior and interior enhancements. Hence, the reason there's only a $1,000 shift in price point.

Then there's the 2020 Cadillac CT5 V-Series, which is for an entirely different audience. In fact, it's the logical extension of the Sport as it comes with several powertrain and performance standards along with the design shifts.

The V-Series trim is not used by someone who utilizes their Cadillac to take the kids to basketball practice. It's meant to start and stop quick and make precision turns that require minimal braking. It's meant for the open road or the race course instead of city streets.

Thus, for those who require a stronger powertrain, sturdy and flexible suspension, and the ability to adjust energy to the tires, the V-Series is the trim to choose. Meanwhile, the Premium Luxury would be the one to select if the consumer on the lookout for a comfortable and stylish vehicle for classy travel.

Is there an overall trim to select between the Premium Luxury and V-Series? Overall, it would be the Premium Luxury. If one reviews the standards of each, minus the performance enhancements, they are almost identical along the interior, exterior, and safety items.

Granted, there are consumers who would like to have the four-wheel brakes and traction control the V-Series has. It could definitely help in both city and highway driving. However, the increased horsepower and torque aren't needed. Particularly if using the CT5 in stop-and-go traffic. As a result, the $6,000 difference in price isn't worth the investment.

In conclusion, while this guide is an excellent source of information to help select the right trim for the 2020 Cadillac CT5, it's not the end all. Consumers interested in purchasing this sporty luxury sedan must take a look at these trims in person. And by look, we mean closely examine.

Take this guide with you to get answers to your questions. Compare the trims to see if they are worth the extra cost. In addition, take a test drive in the Premium Luxury and V-Series trims to determine if the performance upgrades are truly worth the cost of the vehicle.

By seeing these vehicles first-hand, consumers will be able to decide if the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is worth their significant investment or if they should look elsewhere for a luxury sedan.