In today’s car market, where SUVs and trucks reign supreme, traditional sedans have seen a major dip in popularity, leading many American automakers to shift their focus away from these models. This means fewer choices for those looking for a new American-made sedan.
Amidst this backdrop, Cadillac stands out as one of the few American automakers still committed to offering a range of sedans. The brand continues to keep its sedan lineup afloat, providing alternatives to the influx of foreign-made sedans from Japan, South Korea, Germany, and Italy that now populate the U.S. market. While some foreign brands assemble their cars on American soil, Cadillac proudly represents a dwindling number of true American carmakers producing sedans for the discerning domestic buyer.
However, for prospective owners of certain high-performance Cadillac sedans, particularly the upcoming 2026 CT5-V Blackwing, a nuanced dilemma emerges regarding long-term value. While Cadillac is introducing an exciting new bespoke program designed to offer unparalleled personalization, this very feature—intended to make each vehicle “as individual and unique as the client”—carries an inherent, uncomfortable truth for the resale market. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for any buyer looking to make an informed decision on their luxury sedan investment.
1. **The Fading American Sedan Landscape**
The American automotive market has witnessed a profound shift, with the general public’s infatuation firmly settled on crossovers, SUVs, and pickups. This overwhelming preference has directly contributed to a sustained decline in sedan sales over many years. As a result, most American car companies have strategically retreated from the sedan segment, redirecting their focus and resources toward the more lucrative SUV and truck markets.
The term “sedan” itself denotes a specific vehicle type: a car equipped with four doors and designed to accommodate at least four passengers. This definition is important, as it distinguishes sedans from two-door vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette or Ford Mustang, which are classified as coupes. The scarcity of American-made sedans is underscored by the fact that the majority of new sedans available for sale in the United States today originate from foreign automakers, though some foreign brands do have manufacturing operations within the U.S.
Despite this overarching trend, a small number of American carmaker sedans remain available for purchase, offering a glimpse into a segment that once defined American automotive prowess. This limited variety means that consumers interested in an American sedan must often act quickly, as the choices are far from expansive. It’s a market where legacy and niche demand often play a larger role than sheer volume.
2. **Cadillac CT4: The Entry Point**
For those venturing into the luxury sedan arena with an American brand, the Cadillac CT4 stands as the entry point, impressively merging upscale features with a sporty feel that appeals to drivers seeking both performance and elegance without breaking the bank, all starting around $35,600.
This sedan is more than just a base model; it’s a gateway into Cadillac’s performance-oriented V-Series. For enthusiasts looking to elevate their driving experience beyond the standard, Cadillac provides performance variants in the form of the CT4-V or the even more potent CT4-V Blackwing. These models transform the CT4 into a formidable performance machine, demonstrating Cadillac’s commitment to offering a full spectrum of luxury and speed.
The CT4’s presence in the lineup is strategic, serving as an approachable introduction to the Cadillac brand. It embodies the brand’s commitment to delivering a luxurious experience coupled with responsive handling and dynamic capabilities. Its competitive pricing further broadens its appeal, allowing a wider audience to consider an American luxury sedan that doesn’t compromise on character or driving enjoyment.
3. **Cadillac CT5: Cadillac’s Core Sedan Offering**
Stepping up, the Cadillac CT5 serves as the CT4’s larger sibling, playing a critical role in keeping Cadillac’s sedan lineup alive and well by appealing to buyers who love the CT4’s essence but need more space and versatility. It offers a roomier interior for passenger comfort and more cargo space, making it a practical choice for everyday driving and longer trips.
Beyond its practicality, the CT5 also stands as a testament to Cadillac’s performance heritage, particularly with its higher-tier options. For those craving exhilarating power, the CT5 can be optioned with a formidable V8 engine, specifically within the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing variant. This engine choice elevates the CT5 from a comfortable luxury cruiser to a true performance sedan, capable of rivaling the most dynamic offerings from global competitors.
Fundamentally, the CT5 embodies Cadillac’s core sedan philosophy, artfully blending luxury and performance with the practical needs for space and utility that many customers prioritize. With a range of options from standard models to the high-performance Blackwing, the CT5 ensures Cadillac remains a compelling contender in the shrinking American sedan market.
4. **Cadillac Celestiq: The Ultra-Luxury Bespoke Precedent**
The Cadillac Celestiq represents a paradigm shift for the brand, targeting an entirely distinct and ultra-exclusive audience. With a starting price point soaring north of $400,000, this all-electric vehicle is positioned to directly challenge the established titans of the ultra-luxury market, including revered names such as the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur. The Celestiq is not merely a car; it’s an experience crafted for the most discerning and affluent clientele.
What sets the Celestiq apart is its highly personalized acquisition process, which is the antithesis of a standard off-the-lot purchase. Buyers are paired with a dedicated “concierge” who collaborates with local dealers to facilitate the creation of truly unique vehicles. This bespoke approach, where every detail can be tailored to the customer’s desires, provides advice and guidance throughout the entire design and build journey.
Cadillac openly states that the experience gained from making the Celestiq served as the direct inspiration and “outgrowth” for its new ‘Curated by Cadillac’ program. The Celestiq itself is hand-built, emphasizing meticulous craftsmanship and individuality. This ultra-luxury EV acts as a powerful statement of Cadillac’s aspirations and its capability to deliver unparalleled customization and exclusivity, setting a precedent for personalized luxury across its performance lineup.
5. **The 2026 Curated by Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: The Bespoke Dilemma**
Building upon the success and lessons learned from the Celestiq, Cadillac recently unveiled its ‘Curated by Cadillac’ program specifically for the 2026 CT5-V Blackwings. This new initiative is designed to offer customers unprecedented ways to make their new luxury performance cars truly bespoke, or at the very least, highly customized. The core objective is for buyers to craft something “as individual and unique as the client,” reflecting their personal tastes and preferences.
For an additional premium, customers opting for the ‘Curated by Cadillac’ program gain access to an extensive array of personalization choices. These include an impressive palette of 160 exterior colors, encompassing both high-gloss and frost finishes, along with various options for interior colors and materials. This level of customization ensures that each ‘Curated by Cadillac’ CT5-V Blackwing can be a one-of-a-kind creation, distinct from any other on the road.
However, this exceptional personalization comes with a significant financial consideration—the uncomfortable truth regarding resale value. While a standard 2026 CT5-V Blackwing starts at around $100,000, the ‘Curated by Cadillac’ versions will begin at approximately $158,000, representing a substantial premium. As the context directly states, this highly individualized approach “may also have the inadvertent effect of reducing the car’s resale value—since used car buyers, as a general rule, prefer everything stock.” For new buyers focused on immediate gratification, this might be of little concern, but it’s a critical factor for long-term financial planning. These bespoke vehicles, powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 generating 688 horsepower and available with a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, are slated for production mid-next year in Warren, Michigan.
6. **The Standard CT5-V Blackwing: A Future Collectible?**
In a fascinating counterpoint to the bespoke program’s potential impact on resale, the standard Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (specifically the 2022 to 2024 models) is already being hailed as a strong investment and a future collectible. According to Alan Gelfand, an expert with over 30 years of experience in servicing luxury German vehicles, these Blackwing sedans masterfully combine American muscle with a high degree of premium refinement, positioning them favorably in the enthusiast market.
The CT5-V Blackwing’s appeal is rooted in its formidable performance credentials. It is powered by a supercharged V8 engine, reportedly derived from the Corvette Z06, which delivers over 650 horsepower. What makes it even more desirable, particularly to purists, is the increasingly rare option of a manual transmission. This combination of raw power and driver engagement sets it apart from many contemporary luxury performance sedans.
Gelfand further notes that “The construction quality and interior components of these vehicles match the standards of BMW M vehicles,” indicating that Cadillac has achieved a level of build quality and material sophistication on par with renowned German performance brands. Crucially, the market dynamics surrounding these vehicles—characterized by low production numbers and robust enthusiast demand—are already contributing to higher resale values. Gelfand’s assessment that “these will become future collectibles” underscores the standard CT5-V Blackwing’s potential for appreciation, creating a striking contrast with the potential resale challenges of its custom-curated counterpart.
