2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

In Southern California, where the 2023 Cadillac CT5 was tested, the car stood out amidst the dominance of Asian and German luxury vehicles. Its rarity on the roads of Los Angeles drew attention, with many passersby giving it double-takes and long stares. The test vehicle was coated 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 unique sight. The CT5-V, a sporty version of the midsize luxury sedan, was priced starting at $52,390, with the test model reaching $59,405 due to additional packages. Despite its competitive pricing against German rivals, the CT5-V's interior quality revealed why it was more affordable, with a mix of high-quality materials and cheaper details.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, on the other hand, was a more traditional choice in its segment. The Jetta SEL, tested in Platinum Gray Metallic paint, was priced at $29,480. While its appearance was considered bland, it was designed to age gracefully. The interior, especially in the SEL trim, offered a touch of luxury with ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and larger screens for digital instrumentation and infotainment. Despite its conservative design, the Jetta SEL provided a sense of upscale value for under $30,000, making it a practical choice for those seeking a balance of style and functionality.

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 like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though it 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 powered the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. 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 its impressive balance, body control, and grip, the CT5-V's steering lacked feel and feedback, and the car was noisier than expected.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL was equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Jetta's front-wheel-drive setup was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a Sport mode and manual shifting. While the Jetta's acceleration was zippy, there was a noticeable delay in response with the automatic transmission. The Jetta SEL achieved an average of 30 mpg during testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 33 mpg. Despite its modest power, the Jetta SEL provided a nimble and predictable driving experience, with accurate steering and faithful brakes. The all-season tires impressed with their grip and communication, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 offered a spacious and comfortable interior, built on the same platform as the smaller Cadillac CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats were wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, with genuine leather as an option. The CT5-V's rear seat provided a slightly reclined backrest and excellent thigh support, though the cheap-looking plastic front seatback panels detracted from the overall quality. The CT5-V's trunk, however, was a disappointment, offering just 11.9 cubic feet of cargo space, making packing for trips a challenge.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, on the other hand, successfully bridged the gap between compact and midsize sedans. It comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option to fit a fifth passenger for short trips. The Jetta's interior storage was generous, and the trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching some midsize sedans. The Jetta SEL featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were supportive and offered ample legroom, though rear air conditioning vents were absent.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured a Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrumentation display. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. The CT5-V's technology was praised for its simplicity and ease of use, with intuitive controls and logical layouts. However, the lack of an embedded navigation system in the test car limited the voice recognition capabilities.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL came with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L premium satellite radio, and a Beats Audio premium sound system. While the infotainment system was generally user-friendly, it required more inputs for certain functions, and the voice recognition system was limited without the Car-Net connected service upgrades. Car-Net provided access to a Wi-Fi hotspot and several safety and convenience features, though the Beats Audio system was not particularly satisfying.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 was equipped with a standard Cadillac Smart System, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, though it required the driver to remain attentive. Super Cruise's automated lane-change function was impressive, but it occasionally required manual intervention.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL featured the IQ.Drive package, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist, part of IQ.Drive, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience. Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and bring the Jetta to a safe stop. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test.