If you’re shopping for a dependable luxury car but don’t want to stretch your budget, the used market offers a surprising contender. For the price of a mainstream new sedan, you can step into an American luxury model that has quietly earned a reputation for reliability on par with the best from Japan. It delivers the comfort, refinement, and all the premium features you’d expect.
What sets this sedan apart is how consistently it performs in long-term dependability studies and real-world ownership reports. Its smooth ride, upscale interior, and strong safety ratings make it feel every bit as polished as rivals from Lexus and Acura, yet depreciation has made it far more affordable. That 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 such a standout, from its long-term durability to its low maintenance needs and comfortable driving experience. If you want Lexus-grade reliability without the Lexus-size price tag, this American-built sedan deserves a closer look.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced 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 lightly used 2023 Cadillac CT4 for under $30,000
If you’re on a budget, and you’re looking at a new compact sedan, you’ve likely already looked at a new Honda Civc, Toyota Corolla, or their rivals. However, for the same amount of money you can get yourself a lightly used Cadillac CT4. It offers the same level of practicality, but is more comfortable, better equipped, and all-around more stylish. It also happens to be one of America’s most reliable sedans.
2023 Cadillac CT4 trims and pricing
Model
Average used price
Luxury
$27,387
Premium Luxury
$28,473
Sport
$31,945
The Cadillac CT4 is already one of the more budget-friendly luxury cars that you can buy. We’ve excluded the V-Series and the V-Series Blackwing as they aren’t as budget-oriented, but if you’re looking for a performance bargain, they’re definitely worth exploring. When new, the 2023 CT4 would have cost between $35,790 and $41,890. Cadillacs don’t hold depreciate pretty heavily in their first couple of years, which is why used 2023 models are now such a bargain.
It’s hard to deny the value for money that any of the trim levels offer, but our suggestion would be grabbing a Premium Luxury model. Not only do these offer the best balance of features and price, but they are the most popular trim, meaning you can shop around for the best price a little easier.
Reliability and maintenance costs
- Average ten-year maintenance costs: $9,639 (CarEdge)
- Reliability score: 86/100
- Recalls: 1
Cadillac may not have the best reputation, but the CT4 proves that they are capable of building some really sturdy vehicles. The CT4 might be a relatively new model, but it shares the same underpinnings and components as many Cadillacs that came before it. It also shares a lot of proven parts with a number of vehicles across the greater GM umbrella.
CarEdge estimates that the long-term maintenance costs on a CT4 are not any higher than the average luxury sedan. There is also some peace of mind to be had in knowing that you’ll still have a balance of the manufacturer warranties. CT4s come standard with a 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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Caddy’s entry-level sedan is more powerful and agile than you’d expect
Credit: Cadillac
Luxury subcompact cars usually 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 as honed in as some of its rivals, it is still pretty peppy, with a duo of powertrains that will definitely 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
Horsepower
237 HP
310 HP
Torque
258 LB-FT
350 LB-FT
Driveline
RWD or AWD
RWD or AWD
0-60 MPH
5.8 seconds
4.7 seconds
Top Speed
138 MPH
156 MPH
Most 2023 CT4 sedans come equipped with a two-liter turbo-four, which pairs with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, though all-wheel drive is optional. You can find some Premium Luxury models equipped with a 2.7-liter turbo-four instead, which was an optional extra. It is also rear-drive, but it comes with a ten-speed auto instead. Both deliver pretty fantastic amounts of power for this price point.
We love that Cadillac opted for a rear-wheel drive setup in the CT4, which results in a driving experience that is more playful and smile-inducing than much more expensive sedans in this segment. Its handling is sharp and the steering feels well weighted, making it an impressively engaging sports sedan.
When you ease up on the throttle and cruise around town, you’ll find that the Caddy remains composed, and 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 guise, the Cadillac delivers a very comfortable ride.
Fuel economy
Model
City
Highway
Combined
2.0-liter FWD
23 MPG
34 MPG
27 MPG
2.0-liter AWD
22 MPG
31 MPG
26 MPG
2.7-liter FWD
21 MPG
31 MPG
25 MPG
2.7-liter AWD
21 MPG
29 MPG
24 MPG
The CT4 is not 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 does take a slight toll on efficiency regardless.
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Not as plush as its direct rivals, but more comfortable than a mainstream sedan
Credit: Cadillac
It’s fair to say that the CT4 falls behind its luxury rivals when it comes to interior quality. Cadillac has kept the starting price low by skimping on some materials. There has also been a pretty obvious visit to the GM parts bin. However, if you’re comparing a slightly used 2023 CT4 to a brand new mainstream sedan, there is no contest in favor of the Caddy.
Interior dimensions and comfort
Front Row Headroom
38.3 Inches
Front Row Legroom
42.4 Inches
Second Row Headroom
36.5 Inches
Second Row Legroom
33.4 Inches
Cargo Capacity
10.7 Cubic Feet
One of the weakest points of the CT4 is interior room. While those up front will be more than happy with the amount of space they have, anyone relegated to the back seats is going to feel incredibly squished, with both headroom and legroom being on the low side. Cargo capacity isn’t fantastic either.
However, if you’re someone who doesn’t often carry more than one passenger, then the CT4 is likely still sounding pretty appealing to you. The cabin is also well laid out and does give off a luxury vibe. We appreciate that Caddy has also kept things like HVAC controls as physical buttons. Things like leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, heated power-adjustable front seats, and ambient interior lighting are all standard features.
Infotainment and technology
Every 2023 CT4 comes equipped with an eight-inch infotainment screen that rises out of the dashboard. It is surround by plenty of switchgear which act as shortcuts for core functions. This system comes standard with wireless capability for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are a number of USB-C ports in the cabin, but we’d look for a model that comes with the optional wireless smartphone charging pad as well. Built-in navigation and a heads-up display are other desirable optional features. The standard eight-speaker sound system is pretty good, but audiophiles will want to find a model optioned with the 14-speaker Bose system instead.
