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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.0L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 19 / 28 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,700 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 404 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $34,297–$41,224 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Cadillac CT5 at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Reliability at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.8/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.3/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. The cabin tech earns 8.2/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $34,297–$41,224, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Cadillac CT5 sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The 7.4/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Cadillac CT5 is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is reliability — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Cadillac CT5 ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $34,297 starting price is about 24% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Across the CT5 model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $38,820 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $38,820 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $37,690 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $36,559 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $35,428 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $34,297 | |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $33,167 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Side/window / Curtain 05/08/2021 · 21V611000 | General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment during a crash. |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Srs malfunction warning lamp/light 10/06/2021 · 21V421000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of… |
| Exterior lighting / Lighting control module / Software 08/12/2022 · 22V903000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission 06/03/2025 · 25V148000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 Cadillac CT5's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Cadillac CT5 starts at $34,297 and ranges up to $41,224 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Cadillac models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.