2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in its seventh generation, continued to impress with its luxurious design and electrification efforts. The S 580e model, featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4Matic all-wheel drive, stood out with its optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and skirts. While not overtly sporty, these enhancements added a touch of flair to the otherwise sophisticated exterior. Inside, the S-Class offered a choice of eight leather upholstery colors and five trim materials, with our tester showcasing Sienna Brown and Black leather. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish, including incredibly soft headrests, contributed to a plush interior experience.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, a successor to the bold CTS, presented a more restrained yet confident design. Its front fascia retained a distinctive look, while the stretched wheelbase and fastback silhouette added a touch of elegance. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5 maintained a contemporary appearance with a cleaner design. Cadillac's trim levels included the base Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport, with the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing performance models offering additional options. Inside, the CT5's interior felt like a mix of various influences, with massaging front seats providing a touch of luxury. However, the cabin's overall quality fell short, even with optional leather upholstery and carbon-fiber trim.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. Charging at home was efficient, taking about two hours and 20 minutes to fill the battery at a cost of $8.93. The S 580e also supported DC fast charging at 60 kW. The EPA rated it at 51 MPGe combined, but our test achieved 53.9 mpg over nearly 400 miles, with 223 miles driven on electric power alone. The powertrain delivered 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided seamless shifts, though occasional downshift jerks were noted. The S-Class excelled in comfort mode, with its air suspension and rear-wheel steering enhancing the ride quality.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The CT5-V variant featured a tuned V6 with 360 hp, while the CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 668 hp. Our AWD CT5 Premium Luxury test car, equipped with the twin-turbo V6, achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. The CT5's handling was neutral, with impressive cornering capabilities. Ride quality leaned towards sportiness, and interior noise was well-managed, allowing for an enjoyable driving experience.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades and soft-closing doors added to the luxury experience. The ambient lighting system offered 64 colors for a customizable atmosphere. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls for a unique experience. While storage space was ample, the trunk offered only 8.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the standard S-Class and competitors like the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 provided competitive passenger space, with more front headroom than some rivals and the most legroom in both rows. However, its 11.9 cubic feet of trunk space was the smallest in its class. The CT5 offered a good driving position, with adjustable seats and steering columns across trim levels. Heated and ventilated front seats were available on higher trims. The center console efficiently utilized space, accommodating cupholders and a wireless phone charger, while the doors offered additional storage.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system. The system included a variety of games and a natural-language AI assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported, and the native navigation system impressed with augmented reality features. The optional head-up display further enhanced the driving experience. However, the stoplight view feature was deemed unnecessary. The S-Class included wireless charging and USB-C ports, complemented by a Burmester sound system.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 came with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Technology Package added a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Standard features included three USB ports and wireless phone charging, with an optional 15-speaker Bose audio system. The latest Cadillac User Experience system operated smoothly, with large icons and sharp graphics. However, the touchscreen was prone to glare, and the voice-recognition system lagged behind competitors. While lacking flashy tech, the CT5 prioritized usability.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a comprehensive suite of ADAS safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Its hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, with automatic lane changes. Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist added to the safety package. However, the S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, excelling in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system. Super Cruise offered intuitive controls and confident handling, setting it apart from competitors.