[9][10] Unlike its predecessor, the CTS, and the flagship CT6, the CT5's features a more fastback body style.

The CT5 is also offered with an optional 3.0-liter LGY twin turbocharged V6 which produces 335 hp (250 kW; 340 PS) and 405 lb⋅ft (549 N⋅m; 56 kg⋅m) of torque in the standard CT5 or 360 hp (268 kW; 365 PS) at 5400 rpm and 405 lb⋅ft (549 N⋅m; 56 kg⋅m) of torque at 2350-4000 rpm in the CT5-V.[11] The only transmission offered is a 10-speed automatic.

In 2021, Cadillac began offering their semi-autonomous driving system, Super Cruise, as an optional feature.

[12] The 2025 Cadillac CT5 facelift debuted at the 2023 North American International Detroit Auto Show and was launched in China in December 2023.

[15][16] The CT5-V Blackwing was announced in early 2021 for the 2022 model year as a higher performance version of the CT5-V and is considered to be the spiritual successor to the Cadillac CTS-V.[17] It features a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 668 hp (498 kW; 677 PS) and 659 lb⋅ft (893 N⋅m; 91 kg⋅m) of torque, which comes standard mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, and is also available with an optional 10-speed automatic.