2020 Cadillac CT5 vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was a standout in its lineup, featuring a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. It also boasted larger front brakes and 18-inch wheels, setting it apart from other Forte models. The exterior styling was subtly aggressive, with revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, giving it a sporty yet understated appearance. Inside, the Forte GT offered a modern and quality feel with red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and gloss black trim, enhancing its sport-sedan credentials. The transmission shifter was particularly noted for its solid feel, adding to the overall sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2020 Cadillac CT5 drew inspiration from the Escala concept vehicle, presenting a sleek and elegant design. The CT5 was praised for its well-executed styling, though some found the chrome spear on the rear roof pillars less appealing. The test car featured standard 18-inch wheels, which fit well with the car's proportions. The CT5's interior was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the CTS, offering true midsize spaciousness and comfort. The Premium Luxury trim, with its semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber accents, provided a luxurious cabin experience, though some materials could have been improved. Overall, the CT5 delivered a refined and comfortable ride, with a focus on luxury and style.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant upgrade from the standard Forte's 147-hp engine. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) was well-calibrated, providing smooth power delivery to the front wheels. The Forte GT's sport-tuned suspension and active exhaust system enhanced its performance, while driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart allowed for a customizable driving experience. The car's handling was impressive, with a firm and connected ride quality, though it exhibited some nose-heavy weight bias during aggressive driving.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a choice between a 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, transforming the CT5 into a performance-oriented sedan. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the car's adaptive cruise control system maintained a safe following distance. However, the transmission's behavior in Sport mode was less enjoyable, as it sometimes held gears longer than desired. The CT5's suspension was tuned for comfort, absorbing road imperfections well, but the all-season tires limited its performance potential.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, offering excellent comfort and support. The GT2 Package added full Sofino leatherette seats, which were heated and ventilated. The driver's seat was 10-way power adjustable, and the front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster. The backseat provided good comfort with air conditioning vents, though the hard plastic front seatback panels were less friendly to knees. The Forte GT's Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free access, revealing a spacious 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad and ample storage compartments.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5's interior was a significant improvement over the CTS, offering true midsize spaciousness. The Premium Luxury Platinum's front seats provided 18-way power adjustment, including lumbar massage and automatic heating and cooling. The rear seat offered ample legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents for rear passengers. Interior storage was impressive, 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. Despite this, the CT5's cabin delivered a luxurious and comfortable experience.

The 2020 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The Forte EX and GT added SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia's UVO technology. The GT2 Package included an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, though it struggled with ambient noise. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo knobs and menu shortcut buttons for easy interaction.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5's infotainment system, known as Cadillac User Experience (CUE), featured a 10.0-inch high-definition touchscreen display with crisp graphics and intuitive controls. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Cadillac Connected Services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a navigation system and a 15-speaker Bose Performance Series premium sound system. The CT5 also offered a cloud-based voice-recognition system, a high-definition surround-view camera system, and a rearview-camera mirror. A head-up display was available, though its speed-limit data was occasionally inaccurate.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS, equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety features, though the automatic emergency braking system worked only at lower speeds. The lane-keeping and lane-centering assist systems were effective, but required hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also featured 911 Connect and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 offered a sophisticated safety-technology suite, though it required upgrading beyond the Luxury trim level. The lane-keeping assistance technology was subtle, sometimes leading to uncertainty about its operation. The adaptive cruise control system maintained a safe following distance and offered smooth braking. Super Cruise, Cadillac's hands-free driver-assist technology, was not available for the 2020 CT5. The NHTSA awarded the CT5 five-star crash-test ratings across the board, though the IIHS had not rated the car at the time of review.