2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

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, especially in the Premium Luxury trim with the Platinum Package, offered a high level of comfort and exclusivity, featuring premium semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber accents. However, some areas, like the plastic on lower door panels, could have been improved.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out with its bold and distinctive design, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles. The Z-shaped dent in the doors was a unique design element that broke conventional norms, adding to the car's character. The Elantra's interior varied with trim levels, with the Limited or Hybrid Limited offering a modern and upscale look with light gray seats and Scandinavian-inspired design elements. The Elantra's cabin was spacious, with ample rear-seat legroom, though it lacked some features like rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Overall, the Elantra's design was both modern and functional, appealing to those seeking a stylish compact sedan.

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 transformed the CT5 into a powerful sedan, though the 10-speed automatic transmission's behavior in Sport mode was sometimes unpredictable. The CT5's suspension was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for real-world driving conditions, but it lacked the engagement and precision expected at higher performance levels.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, a hybrid powertrain with 139 horsepower, and a sporty N Line with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 276 horsepower, was a standout, offering exhilarating performance and precise handling. The Elantra's various driving modes and suspension setups catered to different driving preferences, from efficient city driving to spirited mountain runs. The Elantra N, in particular, provided a thrilling driving experience with its responsive powertrain and dynamic handling.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 boasted a spacious interior, thanks to its stretched wheelbase, offering true midsize comfort. The Premium Luxury Platinum's front seats provided 18-way power adjustment, lumbar massage, and automatic heating and cooling, ensuring all-day comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents, though cargo space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet. Interior storage was well thought out, with a smartphone tray, wireless charging, and a sizable center console.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy cabin with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The Elantra's rear seat provided best-in-class legroom, though it lacked air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage space was practical, with dual-stage adjustable cupholders and a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk. The Elantra's interior design varied with trim levels, with the Limited and Hybrid Limited offering a more upscale look and feel.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 featured an updated Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10.0-inch high-definition touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a navigation system and a 15-speaker Bose sound system. The CT5 also offered a high-definition surround-view camera system, a rearview-camera mirror, and a head-up display, though the speed-limit data was sometimes inaccurate.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, along with a 64-color ambient lighting system. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key, allowing smartphone-based access and control.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 was equipped with advanced safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview-camera mirror. The CT5 earned five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, though Super Cruise was not available for the 2020 model.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai's SmartSense suite of safety technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, providing a high level of safety and driver assistance.