2024 Kia K5 vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

In Southern California, the 2023 Cadillac CT5 was a rare sight, often overshadowed by Asian and German luxury cars. This rarity made the CT5 stand out, drawing attention and admiration from onlookers, particularly men. 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, added to its distinctiveness. The CT5-V, a sporty version of the midsize luxury sedan, was priced at $52,390, significantly higher than the standard model but much lower than the performance-tuned Blackwing variant. Despite its competitive pricing, the CT5-V's interior quality was a mix of high-end materials and cheaper details, which explained its affordability compared to its German rivals. The cabin featured ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a logical layout that made the technology approachable.

The 2024 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, was a head-turner in Southern California, thanks to its striking Passion Red Tint Coat. Despite being on the market since 2021, the K5 was still relatively unknown, often mistaken for a new model. The GT-Line, positioned between the base LXS and the upscale EX, offered a sporty look without the high-powered performance of the GT model. Priced at $30,530 with extras, the K5 GT-Line was considered a bargain. However, the interior quality reflected its price, with some inexpensive-looking plastics. Yet, the design and detailing were commendable, with features like textured metallic trim and a robust transmission shifter. The K5 GT-Line was praised for its comfortable ride and quiet cabin, thanks to acoustic sound-absorbing glass.

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 output surpassed the base engines of its German competitors but fell short of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. Weighing 3,974 pounds, 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, driving 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, each adjusting the car's dynamics. The Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes enhanced its performance, while the resonant exhaust note added to the driving experience. However, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with noticeable road noise and a lack of refinement on imperfect surfaces. Despite these drawbacks, the CT5-V was enjoyable to drive, with excellent balance, body control, grip, and brakes.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder base engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the GT model, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The GT-Line, which we tested, featured the base engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels. The K5 GT-Line offered Smart, Normal, Sport, and Custom driving modes, with an additional Snow mode for AWD models. The GT model included a Sport+ mode with launch control. The GT-Line's fuel efficiency was rated at 31 mpg in combined driving, but our test car achieved only 24.5 mpg. Despite this, the K5 GT-Line was a delight to drive, with a responsive turbo engine and well-tuned suspension. However, the brakes were not up to the task for spirited driving, and the electric steering lacked precision. The K5 GT-Line's quiet cabin and comfortable ride made it a pleasant daily driver.

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 performance seats were wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, with genuine leather as an option. The test vehicle's seats initially felt flat due to deflated bolsters, but once adjusted, they provided good comfort and support. The rear seats, reminiscent of a BMW 3 Series, offered decent knee clearance and foot room, though the door frame design made entry and exit tricky. The CT5-V featured functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a decent-sized storage bin under the center armrest. However, the trunk space was limited to 11.9 cubic feet, with a narrow opening that made packing challenging. Despite this, Cadillac provided some hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for carrying items like bottles of wine.

The 2024 Kia K5 excelled in comfort and utility, with a stylish interior that featured SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts in the GT-Line trim. The test car had a 10-way power driver's seat, and all K5 models offered a manual front passenger's seat height adjuster. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, with heated front seats available on all but the base LXS trim. The GT-Line with AWD included a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel. The optional panoramic glass sunroof was a highlight, though it reduced headroom for taller rear passengers. The K5 provided generous storage areas, though some had plastic linings that allowed items to slide around. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space, with a Smart Trunk function that opened the lid automatically when standing behind the car with the key fob.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 featured a user-friendly Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrumentation display. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and OnStar and Cadillac Connected Access services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The CT5-V also offered wireless smartphone charging, Alexa Built-in, natural voice recognition, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment system's simplicity was a highlight, with easy-to-use stereo volume and radio tuning controls. An embedded navigation system was optional, and the test car relied on Apple CarPlay for navigation. Cadillac's voice recognition system was effective for tuning the radio but struggled with climate control adjustments. Additional upgrades included a head-up display, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a Performance Data Recorder.

The 2024 Kia K5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LXS trim, while other versions featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity in the LXS and wired connections in higher trims. The larger display included a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Kia Connect services, which offered features like 911 Connect, remote start, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The test car lacked an active subscription to Kia Connect, so the digital voice assistant was not tested. The standard voice recognition technology was less effective than Apple Siri or Google Assistant, making a USB cable necessary for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The larger display also included a wireless phone charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system was optional with EX and GT trims.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came equipped with the Cadillac Smart System, a collection of safety features and driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, a rear-seat reminder, rear parking sensors, and Teen Driver monitoring technology. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic rear braking, and front parking sensors. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like lane-centering and lane-change systems. Super Cruise was impressive but required driver attention, as it occasionally needed manual intervention during lane changes and carpool lane navigation.

The 2024 Kia K5 featured Kia Drive Wise, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Standard features included forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot monitoring, active rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a safe exit warning system. Additional safety features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. Upgrades included cyclist detection, automatic intersection braking, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system provided semi-autonomous highway driving aid, praised for its smooth and accurate performance. The K5 received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but scored poorly in updated Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests.