Buckle Up, Buttercup: The 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Review

Hop in, folks! We’re diving headfirst (well, so to speak) into the bad-to-the-bone 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.  This luxury sedan is tearing up the rulebook on what a Cadillac can be. Boasting more muscle than a gym on New Year’s Day and enough refinement to impress your in-laws, this car is a bona fide showstopper. Let’s find out what it’s all about.

Our First Impression: Love at First Rev

The 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the automotive equivalent of the kid who gets straight A’s but also parties harder than anyone else at the weekend kegger. It’s got the brains, the brawn, and just enough edge to make you swoon. With its aggressive-yet-classy design characteristics, the Blackwing looks like it’s ready to eat a German autobahn for breakfast and still make it to dinner at a fancy Michelin starred restaurant.

Quick Specs (because numbers don’t lie):

• Engine: Supercharged 6.2L V8
• Horsepower: A chest-thumping 668 hp
• Torque: 659 lb-ft (enough to tow your heartstrings)
• Transmission: 6-speed manual (yes, really) or a 10-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 200 mph (not that you’ll need it, but nice to know)

The Inside Scoop: Cabin Comfort & Tech Galore

Sliding into the CT5-V Blackwing’s cabin feels like stepping into a luxury lounge that moonlights as a spaceship. Cadillac has gone all-in on the details:

• Seats: Bolstered and leather-clad, with optional carbon-fiber back panels for that track-ready vibe.
• Infotainment: A 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, the optional Performance Data Recorder lets you analyze your track days or just show off to friends.
• Sound System: A 15-speaker AKG audio setup that’s so crisp you might hear instruments you didn’t know existed in your favorite songs.
• Unique Options:
  • Carbon Fiber Track Package: Because nothing says “serious driver” like extra lightweight materials.
  • Sueded microfiber accents: For those who like their interiors as soft as their horsepower is hard.

Driving Dynamics: Beast Mode, Activated

Here’s the deal: the CT5-V Blackwing is a driver’s car through and through. Cadillac didn’t just slap a big engine in it and call it a day, but rather they thoughtfully crafted a machine that’s as precise as it is powerful.

• Steering & Handling: Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 ensures the car feels as planted in corners as it does comfortable on the highway.
• Braking: Standard Brembo brakes mean you’ll stop just as quickly as you go.
• Transmission: The manual gearbox is a delight.  Notchy, engaging, and a rare find these days. The automatic is no slouch either, delivering lightning-fast shifts.

Driving the Blackwing is an something to behold. It growls, it purrs, and if you’re not careful, it might scare your passengers into next Tuesday. In a good way.

Let’s Talk Money

As you’d expect, all this power and luxury doesn’t come cheap. The CT5-V Blackwing starts at around $92,000, but with options, you could easily tickle six figures. Worth it? Absolutely. Is it a bargain compared to some of its rivals? Let’s see take a look…

Blackwing Competitors:

1. BMW M5 Competition

   • Specs: 617 hp, 4.4L twin-turbo V8
   • Price: Starts around $113,000
   • The Vibe: The all-rounder that’s been to finishing school. Sophisticated but less visceral.

2. Mercedes-AMG E63 S

   • Specs: 603 hp, 4.0L twin-turbo V8
   • Price: Starts around $122,000
   • The Vibe: Think luxury rocket ship with a focus on tech and comfort.

3. Porsche Panamera GTS

   • Specs: 473 hp, 4.0L twin-turbo V8
   • Price: Starts around $136,000
   • The Vibe: A sporty, sleek grand tourer with Porsche’s signature handling.

4. Audi RS7

   • Specs: 591 hp, 4.0L twin-turbo V8
   • Price: Starts around $126,000
   • The Vibe: Futuristic, fast, and dripping in tech.

Compared to the competition, the CT5-V Blackwing brings incredible bang-for-your-buck horsepower and a driving experience that’s decidedly analog in an increasingly more digital world.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy One?

If you’re someone who enjoys driving for the sake of driving and you want a car that can do 200 mph but also take the kids to soccer practice, then the 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing deserves a spot on your shortlist. It’s a love letter to American muscle car enthusiasts and a reminder that big engines and bigger personalities still have a place in the world.

So, should you buy it? Hellz yeah! That is, if you’ve got the budget and a burning need for speed. Just make sure you’re ready to answer the question, “Is that a Cadillac?” about a million times, because this ain’t your grandpa’s Caddy.

What do you think? If you’ve driven the CT5-V Blackwing (or any of its competitors), share your thoughts below. Let’s keep the conversation going…and maybe plan a few track days while we’re at it!