2024 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, a successor to the CTS that captivated enthusiasts for two decades, emerged as a refined evolution of its precursor. Whereas the CTS flaunted abundant chrome and bold geometric designs, the CT5 exhibited a more restrained elegance. Its front fascia retained a distinctive, confident expression, exuding a polished yet assertive demeanor. The extended wheelbase imparted a regal appearance, distinguishing it from the more compact CT4. The roofline subtly arched at the rear, hinting at a fastback silhouette noticeable only upon close inspection.

Despite its age, the CT5 maintained a contemporary aesthetic. Competing against an array of rivals such as the recently redesigned BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Cadillac held its ground with a cleaner design ethos. Cadillac’s trim structure encompassed the base CT5 Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, CT5-V, and the formidable CT5-V Blackwing. The Sport trim featured playful touches like alloy pedals and a rear spoiler, enhancing its dynamic appeal.

However, the interior evoked a mixed response. It felt like a pastiche of elements from various cars, lacking cohesion. Luxurious features like massaging front seats enhanced comfort, but the materials, including two-tone semi-aniline leather and carbon-fiber trim, fell short of conveying a wholly premium feel, reinforcing stereotypes of subpar General Motors interiors.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid embraced a redesign that traded its previously sporty aesthetics for a clean, technical look. Available in Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims, the Accord featured machined-finish 19-inch wheels on Sport and Touring models, brilliantly complementing its meticulous styling. Our Touring test vehicle shone in Canyon River Blue metallic paint, paired with a black leather interior, although other color choices were limited.

The black interior achieved a lighter ambiance with gray accents, metallic finishes, and an artful mesh strip concealing the dashboard’s air vents. While lower cabin plastics appeared overly shiny, the overall interior impressed with a premium feel reminiscent of Acura, particularly in the Touring trim.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered an array of powertrains. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque using premium fuel. For more power, a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 churned out 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Both engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available.

Performance enthusiasts gravitated towards the CT5-V with a souped-up twin-turbo V6 delivering 360 hp and the almighty CT5-V Blackwing boasting a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, generating a staggering 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. The Blackwing came with a six-speed manual option, catering to purists.

Our AWD CT5 Premium Luxury tester, with its twin-turbo V6, delivered commendable performance, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.1 seconds. The driving experience struck a balance between luxury and sportiness, with tight, neutral handling and a subtle rear-end rotation aiding cornering. However, ride comfort leaned more toward sport sedan dynamics, especially with the larger 19-inch wheels.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid utilized Honda’s latest two-motor hybrid system, fusing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with dual electric motors. This configuration produced a combined 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Notably, the hybrid setup mimicked a conventional powertrain, enhancing driver familiarity.

The Accord Hybrid's front-wheel-drive-only setup delivered zestful acceleration, particularly in city driving where electric-motor torque shone. With EPA ratings of 48 mpg for the EX-L and 44 mpg for the larger-wheeled Sport, Sport-L, and Touring trims, our Touring model achieved an admirable 43.1 mpg during testing.

On the road, the Accord Hybrid provided a confident, responsive drive with an unparalleled blend of ride quality and handling. Despite some engine noise during hard acceleration, it cruised effortlessly at higher speeds and navigated mountainous terrain without strain.

Inside, the 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered ample space comparable to its German competitors, with superior front headroom and rear legroom. However, its 11.9 cubic feet of trunk space lagged behind rivals. The driving position catered well to various preferences, with Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims offering a range of adjustments and comfort features. Storage solutions within the cabin were prudent, balancing functionality with the center console’s controls.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid prioritized comfort, though taller drivers found the seat travel insufficient. All Accord Hybrids featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with leather-upgraded trims adding heated front seats and exclusive ventilated front and heated rear seats in the Touring trim. Rear passengers benefitted from expansive legroom and headroom, with supportive seating enhancing comfort on long journeys. The expansive trunk offered a class-leading 16.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, easily accommodating family needs.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5's standard infotainment setup included a 10-inch touchscreen with hassle-free wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, complementing the three standard USB ports and wireless phone charging. Though Cadillac forewent the expansive screens of its German peers, the UI remained intuitive and smartphone-like, despite occasional glare issues and finicky voice-recognition.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid excelled with a 10.2-inch digital display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen across all trims. Included were wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-In, with the Touring trim featuring a 12-speaker Bose system, wireless charging, a 6-inch head-up display, and the standout Google Built-In. Despite occasional issues with Google Assistant, the practical instrumentation offered clarity and user-friendliness, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 boasted top-tier safety with a five-star NHTSA rating. Standard safety equipment included a comprehensive set of driver-assist features and Cadillac’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat. Optional features like adaptive cruise control, 360-degree cameras, and the highly regarded Super Cruise hands-free system added further prowess.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid matched Cadillac’s safety accolades with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, thanks to the robust Honda Sensing suite. This included automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance showcased mixed performance in challenging light conditions, but overall, Honda Sensing provided crucial, reliable protection.