2022 Dodge Charger vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite its long-standing platform dating back to 2005, continued to impress with its modern and menacing design. The major updates in 2011 and 2015 gave it a contemporary look, setting it apart from its muscle-car-styled counterpart, the Challenger. However, the interior of the Charger felt dated, with thick bezels and chunky controls reminiscent of a small truck. Despite this, the cabin was user-friendly, offering ease of use over cutting-edge technology.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5 stood out in Southern California, where luxury Asian and German cars dominated. The CT5-V test vehicle, with its unique light gray metallic Rift color and 19-inch aluminum wheels, attracted attention. Cadillac's design was praised for its proportions and details, making it a rare sight on the roads. The CT5-V, positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance Blackwing, offered a sporty yet luxurious experience, though its interior quality was a mix of high-end materials and cheaper details.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the SXT and GT models. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, produced 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The Hellcat Redeye and Jailbreak models pushed the power further, with 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. The Charger offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on V6 models.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, though it felt less powerful than it sounded. The CT5-V's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. The car offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to customize their experience. The CT5-V's Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes provided excellent handling, though the steering lacked feedback.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The high center console and performance bucket seats created an intimate front-seat experience. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5, built on the same platform as the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro, offered a roomier and more comfortable interior. The CT5-V's front seats, wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, provided good comfort and support, though the rear seats were trickier to access. The rear seat offered a slightly reclined backrest and excellent thigh support, though the plastic front seatback panels detracted from the overall quality. The CT5-V's trunk, at 11.9 cubic feet, was small and narrow, though it offered hidden storage and a deep well for additional items.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. The optional 8.4-inch screen offered larger icons and was standard on higher trims. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology was well-integrated with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V excelled in technology, with a Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system that prioritized simplicity. The 10-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrumentation display offered standard features like Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. The CT5-V's controls were intuitive, with stereo volume and radio tuning easily accessible. While the test car lacked an embedded navigation system, Apple CarPlay was easy to use, though future models would no longer offer it.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors as standard. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more, but these were not standard.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came with a standard Cadillac Smart System, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and more. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and front parking sensors. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, though drivers needed to remain attentive.