2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 was a striking representation of Cadillac's future design language, heavily inspired by the Escala concept vehicle. It showcased sleek and elegant lines, with only minor critiques such as the chrome spear on the rear roof pillars. Despite sticking with standard 18-inch wheels, the CT5 maintained a balanced appearance, and the optional Red Obsession Tintcoat paint added a touch of extravagance. The CT5's interior, especially in the Premium Luxury Platinum trim, offered a luxurious experience with premium semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber accents, although some areas still used lower-quality plastics.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class embraced a design evolution with a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class featured a refined exterior with new bumpers, air intakes, and wheels, maintaining its elegant appeal. The interior was a showcase of opulence, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber accents. The cabin was equipped with advanced technology, including two 12-inch screens and a new digital display, enhancing the modern and luxurious feel. The E-Class offered a spacious and inviting environment, with attention to detail evident in features like metal speaker grilles and ambient lighting.

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 lb-ft of torque in the Premium Luxury trim, and 360 hp and 405 lb-ft 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 suitable for everyday driving, but less engaging at its limits.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, with the E450 featuring a hybrid system that provided extra power and torque. The E450's I6 engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, with additional boost from the battery. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its 603 hp V8, was a performance powerhouse. The E-Class excelled in providing a balanced ride, with advanced suspension systems ensuring comfort and stability. Fuel economy varied across models, with the E53 achieving 25 mpg combined.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5's interior benefited from a stretched wheelbase, offering true midsize spaciousness. The Premium Luxury Platinum trim featured 18-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar massage, automatic heating and cooling, and premium leather upholstery. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents. Interior storage was impressive, with various compartments for personal items. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class provided a spacious cabin for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The coupe and convertible models offered comfortable rear seats, while the wagon featured a stowable rear-facing jump seat and generous cargo space. The sedan's trunk measured 13 cubic feet, with the coupe offering 10 cubic feet. The E-Class's interior was user-friendly, with redesigned infotainment controls and separate climate controls. However, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were missing in the E53 model.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 featured an updated Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10.0-inch touchscreen, stereo knobs, and piano-key controls. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and offered optional navigation and a Bose sound system. The CT5 also included a cloud-based voice-recognition system, a surround-view camera, and a rearview-camera mirror. However, the head-up display occasionally displayed incorrect speed-limit data.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, gesture controls, and natural voice processing. The system offered live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation and various comfort features like massaging seats. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class included standard connected services and optional driving assists. The instrument cluster offered customizable displays, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered advanced safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert driver's seat. However, Super Cruise 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS for the 2020 sedan. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during collisions. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.