2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

In Southern California, the 2023 Cadillac CT5 stood out amidst a sea of Asian and German luxury cars, drawing attention and admiration from onlookers, particularly men. The test vehicle, a CT5-V, was finished in a distinctive light gray metallic color called Rift, which, combined with its 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish, made it a rare sight on the roads. The CT5-V was positioned as the sporty variant of the midsize luxury sedan, priced between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing. Despite its competitive pricing, the interior quality of the CT5-V was a mix of high-end materials and less impressive details, which explained its affordability compared to its German rivals. The cabin featured standard ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an available 12-inch digital instrumentation display.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, with its updated front styling, new wheel designs, and fresh paint colors, aimed to maintain its presence in the family car segment. The Altima SL, one of the upscale trims, featured 19-inch wheels that enhanced its visual appeal, though they were prone to damage. The interior, while comfortable, was marked by hard plastic surfaces, reflecting its lower base price. The Altima SL offered a two-tone cabin with Gray leather for a more upscale look, but the simulated wood dashboard trim was less convincing. Despite these drawbacks, the Altima provided a comfortable driving experience with its Zero Gravity seats and logical control layout.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the base engines of its German competitors 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, though it felt slower than it sounded. The car featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, which, while generally reliable, occasionally required manual intervention via paddle shifters for optimal performance. The CT5-V offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to tailor the car's dynamics to their preferences. However, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with noticeable road noise and a lack of suspension refinement on imperfect surfaces. Despite these issues, the CT5-V excelled in balance, body control, grip, and braking, making it enjoyable to drive in typical situations.

The 2023 Nissan Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in FWD models. The AWD variant offered slightly less power. The Altima's power was adequate, with torque arriving at 3,600 rpm. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim included paddle shifters for added engagement. The Altima's fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, though our SL AWD test vehicle averaged 27.4 mpg. The Altima SR VC-Turbo offered a more powerful turbocharged engine with 236 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on regular gas, or 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet on premium fuel. The Altima's ride was firm, and its steering lacked feedback, but it provided commendable grip and a flat cornering attitude in the mountains.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with Inteluxe artificial leather wrapping the standard 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats. Genuine leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel were optional. The rear seats provided decent knee clearance and good foot room, though the door frame's cut made entry and exit challenging. The CT5-V's trunk was small, offering just 11.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but it included hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for carrying items like wine bottles.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured a simple and user-friendly interior, with controls laid out logically and analog gauges providing clarity. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Altima's trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, smaller than some competitors but usefully shaped. However, the trunk lid lacked a grip or handle for easy closing.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, which included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and OnStar services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was praised for its simplicity, with stereo volume and radio tuning controls on the center console. An embedded navigation system was optional, and the CT5-V could be upgraded with a head-up display, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a Performance Data Recorder.

The 2023 Nissan Altima offered a modern infotainment system starting with the SV trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, offering a navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Altima SL and SR VC-Turbo trims included a Bose nine-speaker premium audio system, which performed well for some music genres. The 12.3-inch infotainment system represented a significant improvement over previous NissanConnect technologies, with a superior user interface and more appealing graphics.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came with the Cadillac Smart System, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like lane-centering and lane-change systems. However, drivers needed to remain attentive, as the system occasionally required manual intervention.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Altima SV and higher trims added rear automatic braking and automatic high-beam headlights. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, though it required refinement for smoother operation. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022.