2023 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous utilitarian image for a more stylish and modern appearance. This redesign was a response to increasing competition from electric and hybrid vehicles, prompting Toyota to create a car that was both efficient and visually appealing. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic look while maintaining a sense of familiarity for traditional buyers. The car's dimensions were altered, making it longer, lower, and wider, which improved handling and gave it a more athletic stance. Inside, the Prius offered a solid and well-crafted cabin, with high-quality materials and a layout that prioritized function over form. The dual-screen setup, with an instrument panel and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen, was a welcome change from the previous center-mounted display.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac CT5, which succeeded the Cadillac CTS, presented a more restrained yet confident design. While it lacked the bold chrome and geometric surfacing of its predecessor, the CT5's front fascia retained a distinctive look. The extended wheelbase and subtle fastback silhouette contributed to its stately appearance. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5 maintained a contemporary design with a cleaner look than the newly redesigned German sedans. The interior, however, was a mix of various elements, with some surfaces not blending seamlessly. The luxury feel was more about features, such as massaging front seats, rather than visual appeal. Even with optional high-end materials, the cabin sometimes felt less luxurious than expected.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an upgrade from the previous 1.8-liter unit. This engine, combined with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, delivered 194 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models and 196 horsepower in all-wheel-drive models, a significant increase from the previous 121 horsepower. The continuously variable automatic transmission provided smooth acceleration, with the Prius now reaching 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, a notable improvement from the older model's 10.5 seconds. The Prius offered agile handling, thanks to its revised suspension and longer wheelbase, while road and wind noise were well-contained, except during hard acceleration.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered multiple powertrain options. The base model had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower, while a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 delivered 335 horsepower. Both engines came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The CT5-V variant featured a tuned V6 with 360 horsepower, and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 668 horsepower. The CT5 Premium Luxury model, with its twin-turbo V6, achieved 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds for AWD models. The CT5 offered a balanced ride, with impressive handling and low interior noise, making it a fun yet comfortable drive.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior in some dimensions compared to its predecessor. Headroom decreased in both front and rear seats, but legroom improved, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The optional fixed glass roof on the XLE trim enhanced the cabin's openness, though it didn't open for airflow. Cargo space was reduced to 20 cubic feet on XLE and Limited models and 24 cubic feet on the LE. The cabin featured practical touches like multiple cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports, though rear visibility was somewhat compromised by the loss of the split rear window.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered 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 among its competitors. The CT5 provided a good driving position with adjustable seats and steering columns, especially in higher trims. The center console was well-utilized, with decent storage, cupholders, and a wireless phone charger. The doors also offered ample storage, and the inclined armrests were conveniently placed.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base LE and XLE models, with an optional 12.3-inch screen on the XLE and standard on the Limited trim. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the navigation required a subscription. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it was criticized for being too busy. The Prius also featured six USB-C ports, wireless charging on higher trims, and an AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot, with several subscription-based connectivity bundles for added functionality.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered a Technology Package with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. The CT5's infotainment system was praised for its smooth operation and user-friendly interface, though the touchscreen was prone to glare. While it lacked the flashy tech of some competitors, the CT5 prioritized usability with a mix of touch, rotary, and analog controls.

The 2023 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and more. The Proactive Driving Assist feature was particularly impressive, offering minimal intrusion while enhancing safety. All these features were standard across all trims, with additional options like Advanced Park on the Limited trim. However, the Prius hadn't been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA at the time of review.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, excelling in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system, were available on higher trims. Super Cruise was noted for its intuitive controls and confidence-inspiring performance, though it required a subscription.