Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Buyer’s Notes: The Manual, the Miles, and the Paper Trail

A 668-hp supercharged V8 sedan with a standard manual gearbox demands a specific kind of due diligence. What to check before you buy a CT5-V Blackwing.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a simple proposition executed at a high level: a four-door sedan with a 6.2-liter LT4 supercharged V8 making 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels.^[1] On sale since the 2022 model year, it is also, by Cadillac’s own account, part of the brand’s last generation of gasoline-powered V cars.^[1] That combination of capability and finality shapes how you should shop for one.

Transmission first

The single biggest spec decision is the gearbox. A 6-speed manual is standard, with a 10-speed automatic optional.^[1] The automatic is the numbers car: Cadillac claims 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds with it, on the way to a 209 mph top speed.^[1] The manual is the driver’s car, and its standard-equipment status is central to the Blackwing’s identity in a segment where the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG rivals have largely abandoned three pedals.^[1] Neither choice is wrong; just know that the two configurations may age differently in the market, and buy the one you will actually enjoy.

How it was used

A 668-hp sedan invites enthusiastic use, and plenty of Blackwings have seen track days. That is not disqualifying, but it should be documented.

• Service records. Look for consistent fluid services and any records of track prep or post-track inspections.
• Consumables. Tires, brake pads, and rotors on a supercharged sedan of this weight and output are meaningful line items. Price the car with their condition in mind.
• Pre-purchase inspection. Have a dealer or qualified independent check the supercharged V8’s health, clutch wear on manual cars, and any signs of hard launches.
• Originality. Tunes and pulley changes are common in this world. A stock, documented car is the safer buy.

Why it holds attention

The Blackwing was introduced as the spiritual successor to the CTS-V, and Cadillac has said these will be its last gasoline-powered V cars as the brand moves toward electrification.^[1] Cars that close an era tend to hold enthusiast attention long after production ends, which argues for buying a well-kept example and keeping its paperwork intact.

Start with the complete figures on the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing database page, then see what is actually for sale in the live CT5-V Blackwing listings. The right car is stock, documented, and specced the way you want to drive it.