2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 was a striking representation of Cadillac's future design language, heavily inspired by the Escala concept vehicle. It presented a sleek and elegant silhouette, with only minor quibbles such as the 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 extravagance. The CT5's interior was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the CTS, offering a spacious cabin with high-quality materials, although some areas still needed refinement. The Premium Luxury trim, with its semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber accents, provided a luxurious and comfortable driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to a more traditional design approach, resembling its larger siblings, the 5 Series and 7 Series. However, the G20 3 Series lacked the iconic design appeal of the classic E30, with a grille that seemed oversized for the smaller sedan. The M Sport trim package added some flair with 19-inch wheels and blue brake calipers, but the interior materials were underwhelming, with an abundance of plastic and faux wood trim. The cabin design was functional, with a focus on driver convenience, but the overall feel was less luxurious than expected for a car in this 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 pound-feet of torque in the Premium Luxury trim, and 360 hp 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, absorbing road imperfections well, but the all-season tires limited its performance potential.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 330i, a plug-in hybrid 330e with a combined output of 288 hp, and a turbo inline-six in the M340i producing 382 hp. The M340i was the quickest, reaching 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the 330i and 330e were slightly slower. Despite the 330e's focus on efficiency, its acceleration was marred by a clunky transition from electric to gasoline power. The 3 Series maintained BMW's reputation for solid chassis dynamics, providing a comfortable ride and competent handling, but it lacked the engaging driving experience of previous models.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 boasted a spacious interior, thanks to its stretched wheelbase. The front seats offered 18-way power adjustment, including lumbar massage and automatic heating and cooling, ensuring all-day comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents, a significant improvement over the CTS. Interior storage was generous, with a smartphone tray, wireless charging, and a sizable center console. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series provided better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan, with excellent rear headroom and above-average front headroom. Legroom was average, and shoulder room was less generous than some competitors. The trunk offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space in gasoline models, but the 330e's battery pack reduced it to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's shape required an awkward reach to maximize space, but a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat added versatility. The cockpit was well-designed, with a focus on driver convenience and good outward visibility.

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 Near Field Communication for smartphone pairing. Optional upgrades included 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, although the speed-limit data was occasionally inaccurate.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came standard with the iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models included both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only offered CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster and navigation, with a head-up display available. The system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and multiple control options, including gesture controls and a voice assistant. While some features felt gimmicky, the system provided flexibility in user interaction.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, but they were only available on trims above the base Luxury model. The test car's safety systems issued no false warnings, and the lane-keeping assistance was subtle yet effective. The adaptive cruise control maintained a safe following distance and accelerated smoothly, aided by the twin-turbo V6. However, Super Cruise, Cadillac's hands-free driver-assist technology, was not available for the 2020 model. The CT5 received five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not rated it at the time of review.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series earned a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests, although headlight scores were mixed. The optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention than the base system. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional packages offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a parking-assist package with a 360-degree camera system.