The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Takes On The Audi RS5 In More Ways Than One

Since its release in 2022, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has offered a muscular and useful alternative to the powerhouse European sedans that for so long have ruled the roads. The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the highest caliber CT5 model you can buy this year, and it takes on high-end European models like the BMW M4, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, and most notably, the Audi RS5.

Soon, we expect to see the Audi RS5 return to our roads to replace the 2025 Audi RS5 Sportback, after it was spotted testing last year. Needless to say, we are excited to see its return as a luxury performance sedan, but we think that the homegrown Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will still happily take on the Audi RS5 in more ways than one.

The Performance Showdown: 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Vs. Audi RS5

Cadillac

Both the new Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and the new Audi RS5 are, and are going to be powerful animals, but they are going to be very different flavors of sport sedan. The CT5-V Blackwing sedan is a muscle car wrapped in a sporty yet everyday luxury facade that allows you to spank it around up there with the best sports sedans. The new Audi RS5 is tipped to be an exceptionally pinpoint and very luxurious model, complementing the athleticism of the finest RennSport tradition.

Audi

We know, with information from Cadillac, that the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing is going to continue to utilize a supercharged LT4 V8 good for just shy of 670 horsepower. However, the debate is ongoing on what will sit under the hood of the new RS5, as Audi has yet to confirm it. A few engine option rumors are circulating, but the strongest suggestion out there is that the new Audi RS5 will come equipped with a plug-in hybrid 3.0-liter bi-turbocharged V6.

The new RS5 looks to use the current S5 as a jumping-off point, plus a charging port. The 2026 Audi S5 boasts a mild-hybrid bi-turbocharged V6 good for 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, so for the new RS5 to seriously compete with the likes of the Blackwing and other snarling sport sedans, there has to be a substantial boost in output. We believe that Audi will do the right thing here and utilize a plug-in rig to give the TFSI V6 a serious electric boost.

Cadillac

There is no question in our minds that Audi will prioritize ensuring that the new RS5 outpaces other European luxury sedans. We do think that the latest iteration of the CT5-V Blackwing will take some beating, though. While it is estimated that Audi will fit the new RS5 with an engine good for over 600 horsepower, the CT5-V Blackwing’s 668-horsepower supercharged V8 is going to take some topping.

Audi

The current CT5-V Blackwing can hit 60 mph in way under four seconds and tops out at over 200 mph; the 2025 Audi RS5 Sportback can currently hit 60 mph in around 3.9 seconds. The 2026 Blackwing tips the scales at 4,123 pounds; the current RS5 Sportback weighs in at 4,079 pounds. If Audi fits the new RS5 with plug-in hybrid running gear, it is going to make it heavier, so it will have to be a very powerful engine/motor pairing to make up the 0.6 seconds or so to equal the 2026 Blackwing’s rest-to-60 times.

CT5-V Blackwing Vs. RS5 Handling Credentials

Handling is where the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing vs. Audi RS5 rivalry could heat up. The Blackwing is a rear-wheel-drive luxury performance sedan that is truly built for tearing up the tarmac. It comes equipped with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, which adapts damping on the fly, and you get an electronic limited-slip differential to shore up traction. The manual transmission option makes it the only V8-powered performance sedan to boast a manual today, which means exclusive hands-on fun, and Brembo brakes sit on all four corners to handle intense stopping power.

Cadillac

Then you have Cadillac’s Precision Package, which takes the already gnarly Blackwing and injects even more racing DNA into its veins. This package offers stiffer bushings, upgraded rear toe links, and carbon-ceramic brakes, while optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are available for the best track-worthy grip. The CT5-V Blackwing isn’t just a muscular sedan, but a real menace to a lot of sporty models out there.

While there has been no official word from Audi on what kind of kit the new RS5 is going to boast, we think it is safe to presume that it will come equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive, RS suspension that can be upgraded to RS Suspension+ with Dynamic Ride Control, and speed-sensitive steering. The new RS5, if it does get all of this kit, will be a tricky sports sedan to mix with in the corners. However, the size of both the Blackwing and RS5 could also play a part in how they behave on the road.

Audi

We have already established that the new Audi RS5 is likely to be heavier than the Blackwing, but if it uses the S5 as a starting point, it is going to be shorter and closer to the ground. Alongside the Quattro AWD advantage, this could push handling feedback in favor of the Audi RS5.

CT5-V Blackwing Vs. Audi RS5 Interior: Tech, Comfort, And Usability

It is not just the performance grit of a sports sedan that is important, but also how it can be used as an everyday vehicle. Both the CT5-V Blackwing and RS5 are and will be built for luxurious comfort, but they are designed to be luxe in different ways. The Blackwing trumps the 2025 RS5 Sportback (on which we have to base some of this comparison) for legroom over the two rows of seating, but the RS5 boasts more than the Blackwing in terms of cargo capacity.

The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing interior blends performance focus with modern and plush trims. Taking center stage is a massive 33-inch curved OLED display, split between a customizable gauge cluster and a high-res infotainment touchscreen. Above the steering column sits a 10-inch HUD, which gives you a clear view of engine RPM, performance timers, navigation, and speed. So, when you are pinning it, you don’t have to keep looking behind the wheel.

Cadillac

Front sports seats are included and are available with Alcántara inserts and contrast stitching to keep you comfortably in place at speed; you actually get physical climate and drive-mode controls, and a standard-fit Bose premium audio rig offers impressive sound. The CT5-V Blackwing also comes equipped with everything you’ll need for long journeys in the shape of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. It is a very strong mix of comfortable and sporty.

Audi

The Audi RS5 has long epitomized high-end German sport sedan luxury, and we don’t see that changing when the new model is released. We are expecting it to honor high-class German tradition with a mix of subtle yet very impressive sporty touches. The outgoing 2025 RS5 Sportback already sets the bar high with a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster and 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen, so we expect to see this, or something equally impressive, in the new RS5 iteration.

We can also expect the RS5’s interior to be kitted out with premium Nappa leather upholstery, potentially a sporty RS flat-bottom steering wheel, and carbon-fiber accents around the cabin. Like last year’s RS5 Sportback, we can presume that Audi will deck the new RS5 with all the creature comforts you’d expect in a luxury sedan, in the form of ambient lighting, potentially a panoramic sunroof as an optional extra, and tri-zone climate control.

Safety And Reliability

While data from J.D. Power hasn’t been released for the 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, according to the 2025 study, Cadillac was far ahead compared to Audi in terms of fewer problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). According to J.D. Power, the 2025 market average for PP100 was 202; Cadillac had a reported 169 PP100, placing them in fourth position out of all brands. Audi, on the other hand, had a reported 273 PP100, placing them fourth from the bottom. However, when it comes to individual reliability ratings and safety equipment, both the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and Audi RS5 stack up relatively well to each other (if you discount the typically higher price you’ll pay for German car maintenance).

2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Safety And Reliability

Cadillac

The 2026 CT5-V Blackwing comes equipped with impressive safety equipment, such as:

• Dual-stage front airbags
• Seat-mounted side-impact airbags
• Knee airbags
• TPMS
• Forward Collision Alert
• Blind Zone Steering Assist
• Lane Keep Assist w/ Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Super Cruise
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Because no data about the 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has been released yet, we are basing its reliability ratings and estimated costs on the 2025 model. RepairPal doesn’t have enough information about maintenance costs for the 2025 MY to give us an average annual maintenance cost, nor are there any reviews on Kelley Blue Book (KBB) or J.D. Power. But, we can estimate from CarEdge’s 10-year average maintenance cost ($9,819) that it will cost you around $980 a year to keep on the road. It is likely, though, that it will cost you less in the first five years compared to the latter five years of ownership.

• Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,819 (CarEdge)
• Total Recalls: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0

Audi RS5 Safety And Reliability

TopSpeed

Based on information about the 2025 Audi RS5 Sportback, we can presume that there will be a carry-over of safety equipment for the new RS5, which will likely include:

• Multi-stage front airbags
• Side airbags and curtain airbags
• Knee airbags
• ISOFIX child seat anchor points
• TPMS
• ABS w/ ESC & TC
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Adaptive Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go
• Lane Departure Warning
• Front & rear parking sensors

Unlike the CT5-V Blackwing, the 2025 Audi RS5 Sportback has received some owner reviews on KBB. Overall, owners have rated it 5 out of 5, 5 out of 5 for reliability, performance, styling, and quality, while a fractionally lower rating of 4.8 out of 5 has been given for comfort and value. So, if Audi carries on with what they did last year with the new RS5, we could be looking at a very impressive all-round sports sedan again.

Audi

However, there is no escaping the fact that it will likely cost you a fortune to keep an Audi RS5 on the road in terms of maintenance. According to RepairPal, the Audi RS5 will cost you, on average, just over $2,500 a year for maintenance. It is not necessarily that the RS5 is unreliable, but German parts and labor costs are typically higher than those needed for a Cadillac.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $2,560 (RepairPal)
• Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,864 (CarEdge)
• Total Recalls: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0

American Muscle Takes The Win, But European Grace Is Going To Be A Tricky Rival

There is no denying that the outgoing Audi RS5 Sportback and the initial look at the new Audi RS5 are very impressive models, but we think that the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing takes the win here. This year is the last year you can buy a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing new; it is now the time to look for one before they turn into more highly regarded collectible luxury muscle sedans.

On the other hand, as one model is preparing to leave, another is stepping up. The new Audi RS5 is going to be a defining MY of the new generation for the illustrious European sports sedan, especially if it does come equipped with a plug-in V6. This will make it one of the first RS models to get a plug-in mill, and will show that the German marque is moving forward to keep the RS5 model lineage up-to-date with the changing market.

The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is available from $98,900 and is the epitome of the Cadillac sedan lineup this year. It boasts a weapon of a V8; it is comfortable and useful to use every day; you can slam it around the back roads as well as you can in a smaller sports car, and it honors some old-school American muscle tradition in the modern age (V8 plus rear-wheel drive).

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We are going to be sad to see the CT5 and its smaller sibling, the CT4, leave the market after 2026. For what can be considered a reasonable amount of money, you do get a huge amount from a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, and not just up against other American performance sedans, but also up against the illustrious badge of the Audi RS5. You get style, a thunderous noise from the back, proper hands-on driving grit, the option for a manual transmission, and a sleeper sedan look. What else is there to ask for?

Then there is the Audi RS5. Audi and RennSport have been turning out some of the best luxury sports sedans for generations, and the outgoing RS5 Sportback proves that they’ve still got it. The 2025 RS5 Sportback had a starting price of $82,000 and top-end prices of just north of $93,000, so it is already much cheaper than the Blackwing. However, we can presume that with a new engine/motor rig, updated tech, and a much-anticipated build, we will see the new Audi RS5 cost closer to what the final edition of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will cost.

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For the new Audi RS5 to be worth the money of its American counterpart, it needs to offer intense power and acceleration, the typically plush and clean German interior build, everyday usability, performance gear that will help it out-turn the Blackwing in the corners, and a cutting-edge exterior look that makes it stand out further than the snarling-looking Blackwing. Plus, it will have to make us forget about the blend of old-school muscle and modern engineering found in the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

Sources: Cadillac, Audi, J.D. Power, RepairPal, NHTSA, CarEdge, and Kelley Blue Book.