While their competitors were focused on expanding their crossover SUV lineup (even Jaguar and Rolls Royce are getting in on crossovers), Cadillac has remained faithful to the rear drive sport sedan - investing in a series of high performance saloons that appeal to the enthusiasts among us. In fact, the second generation Cadillac CTS-V clocked a track record for production sedans on the Nürburgring. Cadillac borrows a lot of Corvette engineers to develop their cars, and it shows.

Unfortunately for Cadillac, women make most of the vehicle buying decisions these days - and they want crossovers and can care less about handling or performance. Cadillac's model lineup currently features only 3 crossover SUVs - 2 of which have been introduced in the past 12 months.

Luckily - they haven't caved completely just yet.... this is the Cadillac CT5-V. It is undoubtedly a very competent sports sedan with neutral weight balance, impressive acceleration (360 horsepower), braking, and handling. Unless the inevitable future Covid-19 shutdowns include a ban on driving - this could be a nice way to entertain yourself while maintaining social distancing.

Car and Driver's take:

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Let's clear up some confusion. The Cadillac CT5-V shown here is not the replacement for the fire-breathing CTS-V. It's best to think of it as a replacement for the old CTS Vsport model, a car that won three 10Best awards from 2014 to 2016. There, that's out of the way.

Now that your expectations have been adjusted, you won't be too upset to find that there's a 360-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the CT5-V. There's also a 330-hp version of the engine powering the new CT5 Premium Luxury model.

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We noticed that the Vsport's staggered tire sizes are gone this time around. Every corner has a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S sized 245/40R-19, but the like-sized tires enliven the tail's propensity to wag. On the skidpad, we found an easily exploited and sports-carlike 0.99 g of grip. But this isn't just about numbers on a track sheet. Unlike lesser CT5 models, the CT5-V is more engaging and fun to drive than the German competition.

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Stunning brakes and a nice stiff brake pedal are up to track work. Equipped with the optional performance brake pads, the CT5-V stopped from 70 mph in a short 153 feet. The ride is firm but satisfying, and the structure attenuates even the biggest wheel impacts without much protest and without the basketball-bouncing sound that a (Mercedes-Benz) C43 sends into the cabin whenever the road turns ugly. Double-paned front-door glass is a nice touch and keeps wind rush from becoming intrusive, although 67 decibels at a steady 70 mph is a bit louder than we expect of modern luxury cars.

Love it or hate it - Cadillac has definitely done very well with their performance sedans over the past 10-15 years. A supercharged V8 model of the CT5, called the Blackwing, is coming later this year. That's likely to cost closer to $85,000 and feature well over 650 horsepower, more carbon fiber bits, and an even more track-focused suspension than the already impressive CT5-V.

The supercharged V8 Blackwing model is in the final stages of development, but hasn't officially been shown in public:

Would you go for the CT5-V....or wait for the fire breathing CT5-Blackwing?