2022 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2022 Nissan Altima continued the brand's tradition of sporty design, a significant departure from its earlier, more conservative styling. The sixth-generation model featured a distinctive V-Motion grille, a low and wide stance, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The Midnight Edition package added a gloss black sport grille, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and other blacked-out elements, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-organized instrument panel, though the quality of materials varied across trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V stood out in Southern California's luxury car market with its unique styling and light gray metallic Rift color. The CT5-V's design was a blend of black, chrome, and body-colored elements, with 19-inch aluminum wheels adding a touch of elegance. The interior featured a mix of high-quality materials and some less impressive details, such as hard plastic panels. Despite these inconsistencies, the CT5-V offered a spacious cabin with ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making it a compelling choice for luxury sedan enthusiasts.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 188 horsepower and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 248 horsepower. The VC-Turbo engine, with its variable compression technology, provided a balance of power and efficiency, though it was only available on the SR trim with FWD. The Altima's performance was adequate for daily driving, but the base engine's acceleration was underwhelming, and the CVT struggled to deliver a spirited drive. However, the Altima excelled in ride comfort and cabin quietness, thanks to its Active Ride Control.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the base engines of its German rivals, though it fell short of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. The CT5-V accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, with a 10-speed automatic transmission providing smooth shifts. The car offered multiple driving modes, including Tour, Sport, and Track, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Despite its impressive power, the CT5-V's road noise and lack of refinement were notable drawbacks, though its handling and braking performance were commendable.

The 2022 Nissan Altima was a practical midsize sedan, offering comfortable seating for four adults and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its class, with a 15.4 cubic feet trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. However, the Altima's rear visibility was compromised by its high rear shelf and sloping roofline. The trunk's metal bar supports also posed a challenge when packing, as they could crush items if not carefully arranged.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, built on the same platform as the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro, offered a more spacious and comfortable interior. The front seats were 18-way power-adjustable, with optional genuine leather and heating features. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good thigh support and knee clearance, though the door frame's design made entry and exit less graceful. The CT5-V's trunk, at 11.9 cubic feet, was smaller and narrower than expected, but it included hidden storage and a 60/40 split back seat for added versatility.

The 2022 Nissan Altima featured a range of infotainment options, starting with a 5-inch display on the base S trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a nine-speaker Bose audio system available on the SL trim. The Altima also offered advanced driver-assist technologies, including ProPilot Assist, which provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V excelled in technology, with a user-friendly Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose 15-speaker audio system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The CT5-V also offered a head-up display, surround-view camera, and Performance Data Recorder. Cadillac's Super Cruise 1 Package provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, though drivers needed to remain attentive.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The SV trim and above added Nissan's Safety Shield 360, which included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima received high safety ratings, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured the Cadillac Smart System, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered advanced hands-free driving assistance, though drivers needed to remain vigilant. Despite some issues with Super Cruise, the system demonstrated impressive capabilities on approved highways.