2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

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 a design that was largely free of flaws, save for a debatable chrome spear on the rear roof pillars. The standard 18-inch wheels complemented the car's proportions well, and the Red Obsession Tintcoat paint, though costly, added a touch of luxury. The CT5's interior was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the CTS, offering a spacious cabin with high-quality materials, though some areas still needed refinement. The Premium Luxury trim, with its V6 engine and Platinum Package, provided a luxurious and comfortable driving experience, making it a serious contender in the midsize luxury car segment.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup, offering a front-wheel-drive platform in a four-door sedan body style. Despite its unconventional design, the 2 Series Gran Coupe maintained BMW's signature sporty appearance, with visual elements like large LED headlights and a tapering roofline enhancing its appeal. Inside, the car adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials used were upscale, and the optional leather upholstery added a touch of luxury. While the 2 Series Gran Coupe was an entry-level BMW, it did not compromise on the brand's premium feel, especially when equipped with the right features.

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 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, occasionally detracting from the driving experience. The CT5's suspension was tuned for comfort, making it well-suited for real-world driving conditions, though it lacked the engagement expected at higher performance levels.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive model, featured a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. BMW claimed a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds, offering a lively driving experience. The car's performance was enhanced by features like brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and multiple driving modes. The M Sport Package further improved the driving dynamics with precise steering and a firm suspension setup. While the Gran Coupe's performance was commendable, the all-season run-flat tires limited its handling capabilities at the limit. Overall, the 2 Series Gran Coupe provided an enjoyable driving experience, especially for fans of small, nimble cars.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 boasted a spacious interior, thanks to its stretched wheelbase. The Premium Luxury Platinum trim offered 18-way power-adjustable front seats with features like lumbar massage and automatic heating and cooling. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, a significant improvement over the previous CTS. Interior storage was generous, with various compartments for personal items and wireless charging capabilities. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, while practical for two passengers, struggled with rear-seat accessibility and comfort. The sport-bolstered front seats were snug yet comfortable, but the rear seats were cramped, with limited headroom and legroom. The trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a storage compartment under the load floor, and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added some utility. However, the Gran Coupe's fast roofline did not translate into the added cargo capacity seen in other BMW models with sportback designs.

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 supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a navigation system and a 15-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system. The CT5 also offered a high-definition surround-view camera system, a rearview-camera mirror, and a head-up display, though the latter occasionally displayed incorrect speed-limit data.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded this to Live Cockpit Pro with a fully digital 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system, powered by iDrive 7.0, included an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. The system was user-friendly, with multiple control options and responsive software. The car also featured a premium sound system and an optional Gesture Control, though the latter was not always accurate. A full-color head-up display was available, but it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, though they were not available on the base Luxury trim. The test car's safety systems, including lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control, performed well, with no false warnings. However, the lane-keeping assistance was subtle, leading to occasional uncertainty about its operation. The CT5 earned five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not rated it at the time of review.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe included the Active Driving Assistant package, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and active blind-spot warning. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be overly aggressive. The IIHS rated the Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick designation due to subpar headlight performance and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.