2023 Cadillac CT5 vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, carrying over its 2020 redesign, presented a sleek and modern exterior reminiscent of a smaller Altima. Its low-slung, coupe-like design marked a significant improvement over its predecessors, offering a more refined execution of Nissan's design language. Despite our test model's gray paint, the Sentra was available in vibrant colors like blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra's interior stood out with a modern yet straightforward layout, featuring easy-to-use controls and a prominent touchscreen as the centerpiece. The Sentra offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each adding progressively more features, with the SR trim including sportier elements and a Midnight Edition package for a more aggressive look.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5, tested in Southern California, turned heads with its unique light gray metallic "Rift" color and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The CT5-V, a sporty version of the midsize luxury sedan, sat between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing. Priced at $52,390, the CT5-V offered a balance of luxury and performance, competing with German luxury sedans in size and power. However, its interior quality, with a mix of high-quality materials and cheaper details, explained its competitive pricing. Despite some shortcomings, the CT5-V came equipped with standard ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making its technology approachable and user-friendly.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not outstanding, the engine provided consistent performance with solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway driving. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well, making the Sentra suitable for commuting and road trips.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V boasted a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, outperforming base engines in its class. Cadillac claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, though the car felt slower than it sounded. The CT5-V featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and several driving modes, including Tour, Sport, and Track. The Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo brakes enhanced its performance, while the resonant exhaust note added to the driving experience. However, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with road noise and suspension racket on imperfect surfaces. Despite these issues, the CT5-V offered enjoyable driving dynamics, especially in My Mode with manual shifting.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. While the trunk lacked a power-opening feature, it could be remotely opened via the key fob or a dashboard button. The Sentra's two rows of seating offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable front seats and decent rear seat space. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a center console with cupholders and trays.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5, built on the same platform as the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro, offered a roomier and more comfortable interior. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front seats, wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, provided good comfort and support. However, the rear seats were trickier to access due to the door frame cut and inboard seating position. Once seated, rear passengers enjoyed a slightly reclined backrest and excellent thigh support. The CT5-V's trunk offered just 11.9 cubic feet of cargo space, with hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for additional items. The 60/40 split back seat allowed for longer items, but the trunk's small size made packing challenging.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the SV and SR trims offering an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume/tuning dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Civic.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V excelled in technology, with the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and OnStar services. The CT5-V included wireless smartphone charging, Alexa Built-in, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. Cadillac's approach to stereo volume and radio tuning controls was intuitive, with options for an embedded navigation system, head-up display, and surround-view camera. However, future models would no longer offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, opting for subscription-based services instead.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and blind spot monitoring. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings for crash testing and driver-assistance effectiveness.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came with the Cadillac Smart System, offering basic safety features like forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like lane-centering and lane-change systems. While Super Cruise was impressive, it required driver attention and had occasional issues with lane changes and carpool lane navigation.