Used American luxury sedan with reliability comparable to Lexus models
If you’re looking for a reliable luxury car but don’t want to stretch your budget, the used market offers a surprising competitor. For the price of a new mainstream sedan, you can get into an American luxury model that has quietly earned a reputation for reliability on par with Japan’s best. It offers the comfort, refinement and all the premium features you expect.
What sets this sedan apart is how consistently it performs in long-term reliability studies and real-world ownership reports. Its smooth ride, upscale interior, and solid safety ratings make it feel just as refined as rivals from Lexus and Acura, but depreciation has made it much more affordable. This combination of quality and value is rare, especially in a segment where reliability often varies widely between brands.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes this luxury sedan so remarkable, from its long-term durability to its low maintenance needs and comfortable driving experience. If you want Lexus-quality reliability without the Lexus-size price tag, this American-made sedan is worth a closer look.
To provide you with the most current and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article comes from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and CarEdge.
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You Can Get a Little-Used 2023 Cadillac CT4 for Under $30,000
If you’re on a budget and considering a new compact sedan, you’ve probably already looked at a new Honda Civc, Toyota Corolla, or their rivals. However, for the same amount of money you can get a lightly used Cadillac CT4. It offers the same level of practicality, but is more comfortable, better equipped and overall more stylish. It’s also one of the most reliable sedans in America.
Versions and prices of the 2023 Cadillac CT4
|
Model |
Average used price |
|---|---|
|
Luxury |
$27,387 |
|
High-end luxury |
$28,473 |
|
Sport |
$31,945 |
The Cadillac CT4 is already one of the most economical luxury cars you can buy. We’ve excluded the V-Series and V-Series Blackwing because they’re not as budget-oriented, but if you’re looking for a bargain in terms of performance, they’re definitely worth exploring. When new, the 2023 CT4 would have cost between $35,790 and $41,890. Cadillacs don’t depreciate sharply enough in their first few years, which is why used 2023 models are now such a good deal.
It’s hard to deny the value for money offered by any of the trim levels, but our suggestion would be to go for a Premium Luxury model. Not only do they offer the best balance of features and price, but they’re also the most popular versions, meaning you can shop around a little easier to find the best price.
Reliability and maintenance costs
- Average maintenance costs over ten years: $9,639 (CarEdge)
- Reliability score: 86/100
- Reminders: 1
Cadillac may not have the best reputation, but the CT4 proves that it’s capable of building truly rugged vehicles. The CT4 may be a relatively new model, but it shares the same underpinnings and components as many Cadillacs that came before it. It also shares many proven parts with a number of vehicles from the large GM group.
CarEdge estimates that a CT4’s long-term maintenance costs are no higher than those of an average luxury sedan. You can also have some peace of mind knowing that you will always have a balance of manufacturer warranties. CT4s come standard with four-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper plans and a powertrain warranty that lasts six years or 70,000 miles.
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Forget the compact, get this midsize SUV for the same price.
The Caddy’s entry-level sedan is more powerful and agile than you might expect
Luxury subcompact cars typically compete to be both comfortable and sporty, with sedans like the Acura Integra, BMW 2 Series and Audi A3 giving buyers a taste of performance. While the CT4 may not be as sharp or advanced as some of its rivals, it’s still quite peppy, with a powertrain duo that’s sure to put a smile on your face.
2023 Cadillac CT4 Performance Specs
|
Engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four |
2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four |
|---|---|---|
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
10-speed automatic |
|
Power |
237 hp |
310 hp |
|
Couple |
258 LB-FT |
350 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
RWD or all-wheel drive |
RWD or all-wheel drive |
|
0-60 mph |
5.8 seconds |
4.7 seconds |
|
Maximum speed |
138 mph |
156 mph |
Most 2023 CT4 sedans come with a two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, paired with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, although all-wheel drive is optional. You can find some Premium Luxury models equipped with a 2.7-liter turbo-four, which was an optional extra. It’s also rear-wheel drive, but it comes with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Both provide pretty fantastic amounts of power for this price point.
We like that Cadillac has opted for a rear-wheel-drive layout in the CT4, which results in a more fun, smiley driving experience than much more expensive sedans in this segment. Its handling is precise and the steering feels well balanced, making it an incredibly engaging sports sedan.
When you ease off the throttle and cruise around town, you’ll find that the Caddy remains composed and the power delivery is smooth. The ten-speed is a little less refined than the eight-speed, but it’s still pretty good. Even in its sportiest form, the Cadillac offers a very comfortable ride.
Fuel economy
|
Model |
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2.0 liter front-wheel drive |
23 mpg |
34 mpg |
27 mpg |
|
2.0-liter all-wheel drive |
22 mpg |
31 mpg |
26 mpg |
|
2.7 liters front-wheel drive |
21 mpg |
31 mpg |
25 mpg |
|
2.7-liter all-wheel drive |
21 mpg |
29 mpg |
24 mpg |
The CT4 isn’t the most efficient sedan in its segment, but we think it does a good job of balancing performance and fuel economy. The two-liter models are obviously a little more efficient than the 2.7-liter models, and all-wheel drive still takes a slight toll on efficiency.
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Not as luxurious as its direct rivals, but more comfortable than a mainstream sedan
It’s fair to say that the CT4 lags behind its luxury rivals when it comes to interior quality. Cadillac kept the starting price low by skimping on some materials. There was also a pretty obvious trip to the GM parts bin. However, if you compare a gently used 2023 CT4 to a brand-new mainstream sedan, there’s no competition in the Caddy’s favor.
Interior dimensions and comfort
|
Headroom in the first row |
38.3 inches |
|---|---|
|
Front row legroom |
42.4 inches |
|
Second row headroom |
36.5 inches |
|
Second row legroom |
33.4 inches |
|
Loading capacity |
10.7 cubic feet |
One of the CT4’s weak points is interior space. While those up front will be more than happy with the space they have, anyone relegated to the rear seats will feel incredibly squashed, with headroom and legroom being low. Cargo capacity isn’t great either.
However, if you’re someone who doesn’t often carry more than one passenger, then the CT4 probably still seems pretty appealing to you. The cabin is also well appointed and has a luxury vibe. We like that Caddy also kept things like the HVAC controls as physical buttons. Items such as leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, heated power front seats and ambient interior lighting are all standard equipment.
Infotainment and technology
Every 2023 CT4 comes with an eight-inch infotainment screen that extends out of the dashboard. It is surrounded by numerous switchgears that serve as shortcuts for main functions. This system comes standard with wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are a number of USB-C ports in the cabin, but we’d also look for a model that comes with the optional wireless smartphone charger. Built-in navigation and a head-up display are other desirable optional features. The standard eight-speaker sound system is pretty good, but audiophiles will want to find a model with the 14-speaker Bose system instead.
