2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2021 Subaru Impreza

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, was a testament to Cadillac's commitment to comfort and style, featuring premium semi-aniline leather and a sophisticated cabin design.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design approach, moving away from the bold styling of its predecessors. Both the sedan and hatchback versions featured sleek headlights and taillights, enhancing their visual width, while subtle body scalloping added flair. The Impreza Sport models stood out with specific styling elements, including 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Impreza's design was typical of compact cars, with a functional layout and model-specific touches in the Sport and Limited trims. The Subaru Global Platform provided a solid foundation, contributing to the car's overall refinement.

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, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided exhilarating acceleration and a satisfying engine note. However, the transmission's behavior in Sport mode sometimes detracted from the driving experience, and the suspension tuning favored comfort over sportiness.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models featured a CVT, with a five-speed manual available on select trims. The Impreza Sport offered enhanced suspension tuning and torque vectoring for improved handling. While the Impreza was a pleasant daily driver, it lacked the engagement of some competitors, and the engine's power was modest. The Sport trim's suspension struck a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the steering and engine power limited its appeal as a driver's car.

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 lumbar massage, automatic heating and cooling, and premium leather upholstery. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents. Interior storage was generous, with a smartphone tray, large center console, and door-panel bins. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a non-flat floor and enclosed hinges.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza provided reasonable legroom in both sedan and hatchback versions, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk offered 12.3 cubic feet of space, while the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. The Impreza's interior featured practical touches like a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and standard roof rails on higher trims. The All-Weather Package added heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated mirrors, enhancing comfort in colder climates.

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. Optional upgrades included navigation and a 15-speaker Bose sound system. The CT5 also offered a high-definition surround-view camera, a rearview-camera mirror, and a head-up display, though the latter's speed-limit data was occasionally inaccurate.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's infotainment system varied by trim, with base and Premium models featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen and higher trims an 8-inch screen. The Limited trim offered optional navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display provided additional information, though it seemed redundant. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to essential functions, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy buyers.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, though many were available only on higher trims. The lane-keeping assistance was subtle, and the adaptive cruise control operated smoothly. 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 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Subaru's EyeSight safety suite was standard on CVT-equipped models, offering features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.