2023 Cadillac CT5 vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

In Southern California, where the 2023 Cadillac CT5 was tested, the car stood out amidst a sea of Asian and German luxury vehicles. Its rarity on the roads of Los Angeles drew attention, with many passersby giving it a second glance. The test vehicle was adorned in a unique light gray metallic color called Rift, which, combined with its 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish, made it a visual standout. 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, the interior quality left something to be desired, with a mix of high-quality materials and cheaper details. However, the CT5-V offered a range of standard features, including ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, a successor to the CTS, presented a more refined design, dialing back the bold styling of its predecessor. Its front fascia maintained a distinctive look, and the stretched wheelbase gave it a stately appearance. While the CT5 was older than some of its competitors, it still looked contemporary with a cleaner design. The trim-level structure included the base CT5 Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport models, with the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing as performance variants. The interior, however, seemed to be a mix of different car elements, with features like massaging front seats adding to the luxury feel. Despite optional upgrades, the cabin still appeared somewhat cheap, feeding into stereotypes of low-quality General Motors interiors.

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 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 car featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The CT5-V offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to customize their experience. Despite its performance capabilities, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with road noise and suspension racket being notable issues. However, it excelled in balance, body control, grip, and braking, making it enjoyable to drive on back roads.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower. A 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 was also available, delivering 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The CT5-V variant featured a tuned version of the V6, rated at 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. The CT5 Premium Luxury test car, equipped with AWD, provided a balanced and enjoyable driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. The ride quality leaned more towards a sports sedan, and the interior noise was well-managed, offering a pleasant driving environment.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 offered a spacious and comfortable interior, built on the same platform as the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front seats were wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, with genuine leather as an option. The test vehicle's seats initially felt flat, but adjustments improved comfort and support. The rear seats provided a slightly reclined backrest position with good thigh support, although the door frame design made entry and exit challenging. The CT5-V's trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with additional hidden storage under the trunk floor. The interior featured functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a decent-sized storage bin under the center armrest.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered comparable passenger space to its rivals, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class. The CT5 provided the most legroom in both rows, although second-row headroom was the lowest among competitors. The trunk space remained at 11.9 cubic feet. The CT5's driving position was well-designed, with good outward visibility and adjustable front seats. The center console space was efficiently utilized, with decent-sized cupholders and a wireless phone charger. The doors also offered ample storage space, enhancing the car's practicality.

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 wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and OnStar services. The CT5-V also offered wireless smartphone charging, Alexa Built-in, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment system was praised for its simplicity and ease of use, with intuitive controls for audio and climate functions. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a Performance Data Recorder.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Technology Package added a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. The CT5's infotainment system had evolved significantly, providing smooth operation and user-friendly controls. The touchscreen featured large, simple icons, although glare could obscure the display. While the CT5 lacked the flashy tech of its German rivals, it excelled in everyday usability, with a rotary controller and analog controls for non-connectivity functions.

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, blind-spot monitoring, and front parking sensors. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like automated lane changes and a driver monitoring camera. While Super Cruise was impressive, drivers still needed to remain attentive, as the system occasionally required manual intervention.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system. Super Cruise offered confidence-inspiring handling and intuitive controls, making it one of the best systems available.