2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged as a beacon of opportunity amidst the declining popularity of hatchbacks, with many automakers discontinuing this body style in favor of small crossover SUVs. Honda, however, saw potential in the redesigned Civic hatchback, which was manufactured in Indiana, making it one of the few compact cars still produced in the U.S. The Civic hatchback aimed to capture a significant portion of the remaining market share and potentially spark a hatchback renaissance. The car's design, from the front doors forward, mirrored the Civic sedan, but from the rear, it was distinct, albeit with a tendency to appear front-heavy. Inside, the Civic hatchback shared similarities with the sedan, featuring sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, especially in the Sport Touring trim. However, the CVT shifter operation slightly detracted from the overall sense of sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5, particularly in the CT5-V variant, stood out in the luxury sedan market dominated by Asian and German brands. The CT5-V, with its unique light gray metallic color called Rift and 19-inch aluminum wheels, garnered attention on the roads of Southern California. Positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing, the CT5-V offered a sporty yet luxurious experience. The interior, while featuring high-quality materials like leather and stainless steel speaker grilles, also had some inexpensive details that detracted from its overall appeal. Despite these shortcomings, the CT5-V boasted standard ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making it a technologically advanced choice in its segment.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a range of performance options, starting with the LX and Sport trims, which featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. These specs were adequate for everyday driving but lacked excitement. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims, however, came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel-drive option. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, providing a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim offered a more engaging drive. The Civic hatchback excelled in fuel economy, with the CVT achieving 33 mpg in combined driving and the manual transmission rated at 31 mpg combined.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the base engines of its German rivals but fell short compared to the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. The CT5-V could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, although it felt slower than it sounded. The 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with an electronic limited-slip differential, provided a smooth driving experience, especially with the use of paddle shifters. The CT5-V offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. Despite some road noise and lack of refinement, the CT5-V delivered an enjoyable driving experience, particularly on winding roads.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, offering a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a two-piece cargo shade for easy loading. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor was not flat. The Civic hatchback provided comfortable seating for all passengers, with the driver enjoying an eight-way power-adjustable seat. However, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and rear passengers missed having air conditioning vents. The Sport Touring trim featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control, enhancing comfort and convenience.

In comparison, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with Inteluxe artificial leather wrapping the standard 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats. Genuine leather was optional, along with heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seats provided good thigh support and knee clearance, although the door frame design made entry and exit slightly challenging. The CT5-V's trunk, however, was a disappointment, offering just 11.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Despite this, Cadillac provided some hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for additional items.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with the Sport Touring trim offering a 9-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls addressed previous criticisms, and the voice recognition system worked effectively. Digital instrumentation was standard, with the Sport Touring trim featuring a comprehensive 10.2-inch display panel.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V boasted the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, with a 10-inch touchscreen display and numerous standard features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. The CT5-V's infotainment system was praised for its simplicity and ease of use, with stereo volume and radio tuning controls conveniently located on the center console. The CT5-V also offered optional features like a head-up display and a high-definition surround-view camera.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with the Honda Sensing collection of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), reflecting its strong safety performance. However, some features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured the Cadillac Smart System, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The CT5-V also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, although drivers were advised to remain attentive. Despite some issues with Super Cruise, the technology was well-executed and enhanced the CT5-V's safety features.