2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 was a striking representation of Cadillac's future design language, heavily inspired by the Escala concept vehicle. It boasted sleek and elegant lines, with only minor quibbles such as the chrome spear on the rear roof pillars. The standard 18-inch wheels fit well with the car's proportions, and the Red Obsession Tintcoat paint, though costly, added a touch of luxury. The CT5's interior, especially in the Premium Luxury trim with the Platinum Package, offered a high level of refinement with premium materials like semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber trim, though some lower-quality plastics were still present.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Altima presented a clean and contemporary design, with a focus on ergonomic simplicity. The Platinum trim, equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, looked impressive, though some design elements like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel could be improved. Inside, the Altima's cabin was functional and straightforward, with a well-placed touchscreen infotainment system and clear climate controls. The materials used were on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance.

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 in the Premium Luxury and standard in the CT5-V, delivered 335 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque in the Premium Luxury trim, and 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque 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 suitable for everyday driving, though it lacked the engagement expected at higher performance levels.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, with an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine known as the VC-Turbo. This engine, available in SR and Platinum trims, produced 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Altima's CVT was designed to mimic a traditional automatic, providing a smooth driving experience. The car's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to features like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The Altima's performance was satisfying across various driving conditions, though the CVT's power delivery could be unpredictable at times.

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 provided exceptional comfort with 18-way power adjustment and features like lumbar massage and automatic heating and cooling. The rear seat offered ample legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents for rear passengers. Interior storage was generous, though the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for comfort, inspired by NASA's weightlessness concept. However, the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats was a drawback. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents, though heated rear seats were not available. Interior storage was ample, but the absence of a wireless charging pad was notable. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with features like grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

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 surround-view camera system, a rearview-camera mirror, and a head-up display, though the speed-limit data was occasionally inaccurate.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's infotainment system was nearly perfect, with an 8-inch display, stereo knobs, and physical and virtual buttons for easy use. It came standard with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with available features like satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 9-speaker Bose audio system. NissanConnect Services offered connected services technology, with features like automatic collision notification and smartphone alerts. However, the Altima's voice recognition technology required specific commands for optimal results.

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 well, 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 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system and ProPilot Assist, though the latter proved difficult to trust. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with specific headlights.