2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Lexus ES

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 refinement with premium materials like semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber trim, though some areas still showed room for improvement.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES presented a daring yet functional interior design. The ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, providing excellent comfort with NuLuxe synthetic leather. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and comfort, aided by rear air conditioning vents and an available power sunshade. The ES's interior was marked by its unique storage solutions and excellent outward visibility. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, slightly more than the CT5, and the hands-free power trunk added convenience.

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, transforming the CT5 into a thrilling drive. However, the 10-speed automatic transmission's behavior in Sport mode sometimes detracted from the driving experience. The CT5's suspension was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for real-world driving conditions, though it lacked the engagement expected at higher limits.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, produced 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and multiple driving modes, including Sport+ in the F Sport trim, provided a dynamic driving experience. The ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its 6.6-second 0-60 mph time suggested, though it could benefit from an AWD system for better traction. The ES 350 F Sport impressed with its firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism, offering genuine driving enjoyment without compromising its reputation as a comfortable cruiser.

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 outstanding comfort with 18-way power adjustment and massage functions. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, and the cabin offered impressive storage solutions. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2021 Lexus ES boasted a daring interior layout that remained functional. The ES 350 F Sport's front seats offered excellent comfort with 10-way power adjustment, while rear passengers benefited from generous legroom and comfort features. The ES provided ample storage, though it was configured with numerous small compartments. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, slightly more than the CT5, and the hands-free power trunk added convenience.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 featured an updated Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10.0-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface with 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 advanced safety technologies, including a surround-view camera and a rearview-camera mirror, though the head-up display's speed-limit data was occasionally inaccurate.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a touchpad-controlled infotainment system, which required attention to operate. However, the ES offered separate climate and stereo controls, dynamic voice command technology, and an optional 12.3-inch widescreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium sound system, with an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson system for enhanced audio quality.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a sophisticated safety technology suite, though it required upgrading beyond the Luxury trim. The lane-keeping assistance was subtle, and the adaptive cruise control provided smooth operation. The CT5 earned five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not rated it at the time of review.

The 2021 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System 2.0, which included a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. For 2021, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard on most trims. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for drivers and passengers.