The automotive world has witnessed another remarkable achievement as the 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing secures its fourth consecutive spot on Car and Driver’s prestigious 10Best Cars list. This extraordinary feat solidifies the CT4-V Blackwing’s position as the undisputed champion in the compact high-performance sports sedan segment, leaving formidable competitors like the BMW M3 and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio in its wake.
The Unprecedented Four-Year Winning Streak
Since its debut for the 2022 model year, the CT4-V Blackwing has defended its place as the compact high-performance sports sedan to beat, earning Car and Driver’s recognition four times in a row. This consistency speaks volumes about Cadillac’s engineering excellence and the vehicle’s ability to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive market. The recognition comes at a particularly poignant time, as this may be one of the final gasoline-powered performance sedans from the luxury brand before its transition to an all-electric future.
What Sets the CT4-V Blackwing Apart
Car and Driver describes the CT4-V Blackwing as “a pinnacle driver’s car and one of the world’s best high-performance sedans”, and this praise stems from the vehicle’s remarkable versatility. Unlike many high-performance vehicles that excel in limited scenarios, the CT4-V Blackwing demonstrates exceptional breadth in its capabilities.
The secret to its continued dominance lies in what experts call its “magic sauce” – the broad range of capability, as well as the finesse and nuance it brings to the everyday task of being exciting and rewarding to drive anytime, anywhere, on any road, at any speed. This isn’t just marketing rhetoric; it’s a testament to the engineering team’s ability to create a vehicle that seamlessly transitions between roles.
Performance Specifications That Impress
Heart of the Beast: The Powertrain
At the core of the CT4-V Blackwing’s success lies a twin-turbo V-6 promptly funneling 472 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. This powerplant can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission for purists or a 10-speed automatic for those seeking maximum performance efficiency.
The manual transmission deserves special recognition as it represents a dying breed in the automotive landscape. Critics particularly appreciate the engagement of the manual transmission, with many noting that it adds a level of driver involvement that’s increasingly rare in modern performance vehicles.
Track-Ready Performance Numbers
The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to raw performance. With the automatic transmission, the CT4-V Blackwing can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a top track speed of 189 mph. Even with the manual transmission, which some might assume would be slower, a six-speed manual-equipped model posted an impressive 4.0-second launch to 60 mph and crossed the quarter-mile mark in 12.4 seconds at 116 mph.
The Art of Versatility: Daily Driver to Track Star
Adaptive Excellence
What truly distinguishes the CT4-V Blackwing from its competitors is its chameleonic nature. You can tap the mode switch into Tour and discover its softer side: the talkative steering lightens, the 472-hp twin-turbo V-6 lowers its voice, and the MR dampers let it step deftly over rough pavement—all without losing the car’s inherent pinned-to-the-road feel.
This adaptability means owners aren’t forced to choose between comfort and performance. It’s a comfortable daily commuter that you can drive to the racetrack, flip into Track mode, and be thrilled by all day—and then use to ferry friends or family out to dinner in the evening.
Advanced Suspension Technology
The key to this versatility lies in the sophisticated Magnetic Ride Control suspension system. The CT4-V Blackwing’s adaptive dampers are expertly tuned to maximize agility but also manage to soak up road irregularities to deliver a smooth ride. This technology allows the vehicle to maintain its sports car credentials while providing the comfort expected from a luxury sedan.
Conquering the Competition
Outperforming Established Rivals
The CT4-V Blackwing’s achievement becomes even more impressive when considering the caliber of its competition. Neither of its most formidable antagonists, the BMW M3 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, have made the 10Best list during the CT4-V Blackwing’s four-year reign. This dominance in Car and Driver’s rigorous testing process demonstrates that the Cadillac doesn’t just compete—it leads.
Value Proposition in the Luxury Segment
Despite its premium performance credentials, the CT4-V Blackwing is still considerably less expensive than its rivals. The 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is available in one trim and starts at $62,195, positioning it competitively against other luxury performance sedans while offering superior value.
Interior and Technology Features
Performance-Focused Cabin Design
The 2025 CT4-V Blackwing has a racy interior to match its voracious personality, with touches like carbon-fiber trim pieces and options including red seat belts, high-performance front seats and multiple upholstery materials. The cabin reflects the vehicle’s dual nature, providing both luxury appointments and performance-oriented features.
Standard equipment includes 18-way power-adjustable and heated performance front seats, driver’s seat memory settings and a heated, leather-wrapped and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, ensuring that drivers can find their optimal driving position for both comfort and control.
Modern Infotainment Systems
Every CT4-V Blackwing features an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and multiple charging ports. Cadillac has significantly improved the user experience by moving away from touch-sensitive controls and incorporating physical buttons and rotary knobs for easier operation.
The End of an Era
A Swan Song for Internal Combustion
The CT4-V Blackwing won’t be around for long as Cadillac marches toward its all-electric future. This recognition from Car and Driver comes at a bittersweet time, as automotive enthusiasts are witnessing what may be the final chapter of high-performance, gasoline-powered Cadillacs.
The CT4-V Blackwing isn’t immortal; along with its CT5-V Blackwing big brother, it’s likely the final chapter of high-octane, gas-fed performance from Cadillac. This makes the current generation all the more significant for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the art of internal combustion engineering.
Legacy and Collector Appeal
Recognizing this transition, Cadillac has introduced special editions to commemorate the model’s legacy. For 2025, the CT4-V Blackwing is offered as a limited-run Blackwing Collector Series model based on the Petit Pataud, a 1950 Cadillac Series 61 driven in the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans, limited to only 50 copies.
The Final Chapter
As the automotive industry pivots toward electrification, the 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing stands as a monument to what internal combustion engines can achieve when engineering excellence meets passionate design. Its fourth consecutive Car and Driver 10Best award isn’t just recognition of current excellence—it’s acknowledgment of a masterpiece that will be remembered long after the last gasoline engine falls silent.
The CT4-V Blackwing will be remembered as a hero, one of the best driver’s cars of all time, and this latest recognition from Car and Driver only reinforces that legacy. For automotive enthusiasts, the CT4-V Blackwing represents the pinnacle of what a sports sedan can be: fast, comfortable, engaging, and accessible enough to be enjoyed every day.
The 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing’s continued success proves that excellence in automotive engineering transcends trends and technology shifts. As we prepare to bid farewell to this era of performance, the CT4-V Blackwing serves as the perfect send-off—a reminder that when engineering meets passion, the results can be truly extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many years has the CT4-V Blackwing won Car and Driver’s 10Best award? A: The CT4-V Blackwing has won Car and Driver’s 10Best Cars award for four consecutive years (2022-2025).
Q: What makes the CT4-V Blackwing special compared to competitors like the BMW M3? A: The CT4-V Blackwing offers superior versatility, seamlessly transitioning from comfortable daily driver to track-ready performance car, while being more affordable than rivals.
Q: Is the 2025 CT4-V Blackwing the last of its kind? A: Yes, as Cadillac transitions to an all-electric future, the CT4-V Blackwing represents one of the final high-performance gasoline-powered sedans from the brand.