2023 Dodge Charger vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from its 2015 update, which introduced a sleeker nose and sharper LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger maintained a distinct and modern appearance compared to competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model featured a widebody kit with flared fenders, 20-inch wheels, and a large hood scoop, giving it a bold and aggressive look. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it included unique touches like green stitching and Swinger badges.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, launched as a successor to the CTS, offered a more restrained design compared to its predecessor. It featured a distinctive front fascia and a stretched wheelbase, giving it a stately appearance. The CT5's design was contemporary, with a cleaner look than its German rivals. The interior, while not as cohesive in design, offered features like massaging front seats and optional two-tone leather upholstery. However, it still suffered from the stereotype of low-quality General Motors interiors.

The 2023 Dodge Charger came standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 292 to 300 horsepower, but it was the V8 engines that truly defined the Charger. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 hp, while the Scatpack models boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 hp. The Hellcat variants, with their supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engines, delivered up to 807 hp in the Redeye Jailbreak model. The Charger excelled in handling, with good front-end grip and exceptional braking, especially in the Scat Pack Widebody trims.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 hp. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 335 hp, while the CT5-V variant offered a tuned version with 360 hp. The high-performance CT5-V Blackwing featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 668 hp. The CT5's handling was impressively neutral, with a good balance of sportiness and comfort. The twin-turbo V6 provided decent acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds for AWD models.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate, but the footwells were tight, and rear legroom was compromised by the transmission tunnel. The trunk offered 16.5 cubic feet of space. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large, easy-to-find buttons and switches, providing a familiar and distraction-free experience.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered comparable passenger space to its German rivals, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class. It provided the most legroom in both rows but had the smallest trunk at 11.9 cubic feet. The CT5's driving position was well-designed, with good visibility and adjustable front seats. The center console was efficiently organized, with decent storage space and a wireless phone charger.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of various performance settings, including launch control and line lock for drag racing.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 came with a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Technology Package added a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. The CT5's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and sharp graphics. However, it lacked the flashy tech of its German competitors but compensated with everyday usability.

The 2023 Dodge Charger received four out of five stars overall from the NHTSA, with good ratings in many categories. However, it lacked standard safety assists, with features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control being optional on certain models.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It came with standard driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system, which was highly regarded for its ease of use and confidence-inspiring performance.