2024 BMW 5 Series vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, a successor to the Cadillac CTS, presented a more restrained design compared to its predecessor. While it lacked the bold chrome and geometric surfacing of the CTS, the CT5 maintained a distinctive front fascia with a confident sneer. Its stretched wheelbase and slightly fastback silhouette gave it a stately appearance, distinguishing it from the smaller CT4. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5's design remained contemporary, offering a cleaner look than the newly redesigned German sedans. The trim levels ranged from the base Luxury to the performance-oriented CT5-V Blackwing, with the Sport model featuring boy-racer styling elements. Inside, the CT5's interior seemed a mix of various car elements, with surfaces that didn't blend well, giving a less luxurious feel despite features like massaging front seats and optional high-end materials.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series showcased a clean, crisp, and minimalist design, both inside and out, aligning with BMW's current styling language. The 530i test car featured a large shiny grille and intricate 21-inch wheels, with the M Sport bodywork adding a touch of sass. Inside, the M Sport treatment continued with Smoke-color Veganza artificial leather, aluminum trim, and artistic metal speaker grilles, contrasting with the otherwise black cabin. However, the interior suffered from reflections and glare, complicating control usage. The BMW Curved Display housed most features on a screen, with traditional iDrive controls on the center console. Despite its stylish and plush appearance, the 530i M Sport felt remote and muted, lacking the connection between driver and machine that BMW was once known for.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered a range of powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 delivered 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with a mandatory 10-speed automatic transmission and the choice of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The CT5-V variant had a tuned version of the V6, producing 360 hp, while the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 668 hp and 659 lb-ft, available with a six-speed manual transmission. The CT5 Premium Luxury with AWD and the twin-turbo V6 offered a balanced driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds for AWD models. The ride quality leaned more towards a sports sedan, with low interior noise and a pleasant exhaust growl at full throttle.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series, specifically the 530i, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. BMW estimated a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The engine was quiet and smooth, with an eight-speed automatic transmission providing seamless shifts. The M Sport suspension offered a supple ride, and the car performed well on twisty roads, thanks to standard variable-ratio sport steering and M Sport braking components. However, the driving experience felt remote and muted, akin to playing a video game. The 530i returned 24.7 mpg on the evaluation loop, below the EPA estimate of 30 mpg in combined driving.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered comparable passenger space to its rivals, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and the outgoing Mercedes E-Class, and nearly the same as the BMW 5 Series. It provided the most legroom in both rows but had the least trunk space at 11.9 cubic feet. The CT5 offered a good driving position, with easy seat adjustments and good outward visibility. The center console was well-utilized, with decent-sized cupholders and a wireless phone charger, while the doors provided ample storage space.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series excelled as a luxury car, with a spacious feel from the driver's seat and easy entry and exit. The standard power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, wrapped in perforated Veganza artificial leather, though ventilated seats were missing. The rear seat was equally comfortable, with good legroom, headroom, and footroom. Interior storage was adequate, with a tray for smartphones, door armrests, and a split-top center armrest bin. The trunk offered 18.4 cubic feet of space, though a spare tire storage box reduced cargo room. The enclosed trunk hinges maximized available space.

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 system included a rotary controller and analog controls for audio and climate, with large, simple icons on the touchscreen. However, the screen was prone to glare, and the voice-recognition system lagged behind competitors. While lacking the flashy tech of rivals, the CT5's system was user-friendly.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen under a single curved display, running BMW Operating System 8.5. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, connected services, and more. The iDrive controls on the center console were part of a touch-sensing panel, prone to lint and fingerprints. The Premium Package added a head-up display and gesture controls, though the Intelligent Personal Assistant voice control was inconsistent. The optional Bowers and Wilkins surround-sound system was a reasonable upgrade, though sound quality was underwhelming.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system, which was highly regarded for its intuitive controls and confidence-inspiring handling.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series came with Active Driving Assistant, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The lane-departure warning system was sophisticated, issuing alerts only when necessary. The 5 Series earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it lacked the higher Top Safety Pick+ rating.