2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 was a striking representation of Cadillac's future design language, heavily inspired by the Escala concept vehicle. It exuded a sleek and elegant aesthetic, with only minor quibbles such as the chrome spear on the rear roof pillars. The CT5's proportions were well-balanced, and even with standard 18-inch wheels, it maintained a cohesive look. The Red Obsession Tintcoat paint was a costly option, but the overall design was a testament to Cadillac's commitment to luxury and style. The Premium Luxury trim, with its twin-turbocharged V6 engine, offered a more satisfying driving experience, and the interior, especially with the Platinum Package, provided a high level of comfort and exclusivity.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord was one of the most stylish iterations of the model, with a design that was both sleek and upscale. The Sport and Touring trims, with their 19-inch wheels, enhanced the car's visual presence, while the 17-inch wheels on other trims offered a more economical choice. The Accord's interior was a model of comfort and quality, with the Touring trim featuring luxurious touches like Ivory leather and a matte-finish simulated wood. The Accord's design was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it a standout in the family sedan segment.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a choice between an unrefined 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a more powerful twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. The latter, available on the Premium Luxury and standard on the CT5-V, delivered 335 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque in the Premium Luxury trim, and 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft in the CT5-V. The V6 engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided exhilarating acceleration and a satisfying engine note. However, the transmission's behavior in Sport mode could be unpredictable, affecting the driving experience. The CT5's suspension was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for real-world driving conditions, but less engaging at its limits.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, including a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 192 horsepower and a 212-horsepower hybrid option. For those seeking more power, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produced 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's driving modes, Economy and Sport, allowed for a tailored driving experience, with Sport mode enhancing the car's responsiveness. The Accord Touring's adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires provided excellent handling and ride comfort, though the brakes could use some refinement. Overall, the Accord was both fun to drive and a practical daily driver.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5's interior was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the CTS, offering true midsize spaciousness. The Premium Luxury Platinum's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like lumbar massage and automatic heating and cooling. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, thanks to the stretched wheelbase. Interior storage was generous, with various compartments for personal items. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2020 Honda Accord, on the other hand, offered a spacious interior that rivaled full-size cars. The driver's seat was highly adjustable and comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear seat was exceptionally comfortable, with wide doors for easy access and ample thigh support. The trunk offered an impressive 16.7 cubic feet of space, ideal for long trips. The Accord's interior was well-designed, with clear instrumentation and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 featured an updated Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, with a 10.0-inch high-definition touchscreen, stereo knobs, and piano-key controls. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and optional upgrades like a navigation system and a 15-speaker Bose sound system. The CT5 also offered a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and parking assist with automatic emergency braking. However, the speed-limit data in the HUD was occasionally inaccurate.

The 2020 Honda Accord's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design, with volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and sensible steering wheel controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a ten-speaker premium sound system. The Touring trim added HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless device charging. The Accord's head-up display was standard on the Touring trim and remained visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a sophisticated safety technology suite, though it required upgrading beyond the Luxury trim. The test car's safety features worked seamlessly, with subtle lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. However, Super Cruise was not available for the 2020 model. The CT5 received five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not rated it at the time of review.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing, standard on all trims, included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims. While Honda Sensing was comprehensive, it could benefit from refinement, as some systems occasionally issued false alerts.