2024 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 had undergone a significant evolution since its initial launch in the 2020 model year, succeeding the Cadillac CTS, which was a prominent luxury sedan throughout the 2000s. The CT5 dialed back the more intense styling of its predecessor. It didn’t feature the extensive chrome or the sharp geometric surfaces that defined the CTS. However, the CT5 retained a distinctive and confident front fascia, marked by its clean and contemporary design. With a stretched wheelbase, the CT5 projected a stately appearance compared to the smaller CT4, and the roof’s arched back hinted at a fastback silhouette, visible upon close inspection.

Despite the CT5 being slightly older than some of its rivals, like the redesigned BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class for 2024, it still looked modern. It offered a cleaner design compared to its German counterparts. Cadillac's trim levels for the CT5 included the base Luxury model, with Premium Luxury and Sport trims above it, alongside the performance-oriented CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing variants. The CT5 Sport, boasting some boy-racer styling features, differentiated itself with alloy pedals and a rear spoiler.

Inside, the Cadillac's interior felt like a collection of parts from different sources. The different surfaces on the door cards and dashboard didn’t blend seamlessly and any semblance of luxury came from features like massaging front seats, rather than an overall sense of opulence. Criticisms of low-quality General Motors interiors were noticeable, even with optional semi-aniline leather upholstery and carbon-fiber trim, the CT5’s cabin fell short of looking genuinely luxurious.

In comparison, the 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite being last redesigned in 2019, appeared astonishingly modern. Mazda’s least expensive vehicle showcased swooping lines and beautifully scalloped bodywork, making it look right at home among luxury vehicles, precisely Mazda’s intention. Its front design featured squinting headlights with LED turn signals and stylish round lighting elements, giving it a dramatic, expensive look.

Mazda offered the 2024 MAZDA3 in two body styles – the sedan and the hatchback, with six trim levels in each. The sedan, while handsome, was less so compared to the hatchback. The hatchback, with its added utility of more usable storage space, came out as the better-looking and more practical option. Our test car, a 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback with Turbo Premium Plus trim, impressed with its $38,210 as-tested price, offering significant material quality and value comparable to luxury brands like Audi and BMW.

The interior boasted impressive red leather upholstery, with leather covering the top portion of the doors and spanning the entire dashboard. The black-leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob added to the premium feel. Overall, the 2024 Mazda3’s interior was beautifully designed and remarkably furnished.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered a variety of powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. An optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 produced 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission was standard across the board, with a choice between standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Higher trims also received alloy paddle shifters.

For performance enthusiasts, the CT5-V with its tuned twin-turbo V6 provided 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, available with RWD or AWD. The pinnacle of performance was the CT5-V Blackwing, equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 generating a staggering 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, exclusively RWD and available with a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the automatic.

Our test Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury with AWD and the twin-turbo V6, despite lacking the extreme power of the V-Series models, offered enjoyable driving dynamics. Handling was impressively neutral, with minimal understeer and a touch of rear-end rotation enhancing cornering. The zero to 60 mph time was 5.1 seconds for AWD models and 4.9 seconds for RWD, making it decently quick. The ride quality leaned towards a sports sedan feel, acceptable given its handling prowess, though the 19-inch wheels on our test model might have degraded comfort slightly with optional 20-inch wheels.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine choices. The standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The Carbon Turbo and Turbo Premium Plus trims received a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, delivering 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel).

Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on lower trims, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was included on S Carbon Edition, Carbon Turbo, and Turbo Premium Plus for both body styles. A six-speed manual was available only on the Hatchback S Premium with FWD. All other variants used a six-speed automatic transmission.

Our Turbo Premium Plus test vehicle, with its turbo engine, delivered a delightful driving experience with ample power in various scenarios. The turbo engine's power and torque, managed by an intelligent AWD system, provided excellent traction. Fuel economy for the turbocharged AWD variants stood at 23 mpg city, 32 highway, and 27 combined for the sedan, and 23/31/26 for the hatchback, slightly lower compared to non-turbo, FWD configurations.

The Mazda3’s handling was a highlight despite shifting to a torsion beam suspension in the current generation. It cornered magnificently well, with tight and precise steering and minimal body roll. The ride remained stiffly sprung, a compromise welcomed by enthusiasts. The turbocharged Mazda3 provided a civilized yet engaging performance akin to the long-discontinued Mazdaspeed models.

The Cadillac CT5 paralleled its rivals in passenger space. Front headroom surpassed the Audi A6 and the outgoing Mercedes E-Class, closely matching the BMW 5 Series. It topped the list in legroom for both front and rear seats but fell short in rear headroom. Trunk space was a mere 11.9 cubic feet, underperforming compared to its competitors.

Nevertheless, the CT5 offered a superb driving position with ample outward visibility and no compromises in headroom or legroom. The base Luxury model had standard 12-way power front seats, while higher trims offered up to 18-way power adjustments and a power tilt and telescoping steering column. Heated and ventilated front seats were available on Premium Luxury and Sport models.

Cadillac utilized the available center console space well, providing decent-sized cupholders and a well-placed wireless phone charger, along with sufficient storage space in the doors.

Conversely, the 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 emphasized "compact" in compact car. The hatchback, while beautifully designed, was not overly practical. It offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with rivals like the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla Hatchback, but less than the Honda Civic Hatchback. Total cargo capacity extended to 47.1 cubic feet.

However, rear passenger space took a hit. Legroom barely accommodated six-foot-tall adults, and the prospect of fitting three adults in the back was nearly impossible without complaints. Likewise, headroom was limited. The sedan version offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, still tight on rear passenger quarters.

The hatchback’s beautiful design created significant blind spots at the C-pillar, worsened by a small, sloped rear window and the rear lip spoiler in the Turbo Premium Plus trim, resulting in poor rearward visibility.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Technology Package on Premium Luxury and Sport trims introduced a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Standard tech included three USB ports and wireless phone charging, with an optional 15-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system.

The CT5’s infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Cadillac User Experience (CUE) systems, offered smooth operation. It employed a native voice-recognition system, a rotary controller, and analog controls for audio and climate functions. Large, simple icons gave the home screen a smartphone-like feel, and the digital instrument cluster featured sharp graphics. However, the screen was prone to glare, and the voice-recognition system lagged behind competitors from BMW and Mercedes. The CT5 lacked the flashy tech of its rivals, but its everyday usability compensated for this.

Mazda’s technology in the 2024 MAZDA3 revolved around a rotary controller, forgoing a touchscreen interface prevalent in other brands. Mazda argued for the rotary dial’s safety, allowing drivers to manage it by feel, unlike the more distracting touchscreen.

Despite the learning curve, the rotary controller was superior to non-touchscreen systems from brands like Acura and Lexus. The system improved once key points of interest and favorite radio stations were set. Most trims featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display, while top trims boasted a new 10.25-inch screen. However, the larger screen’s added real estate didn’t prevent text truncation on the radio display. It was only a touchscreen when running Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and the screen’s position made it hard to reach while driving.

Still, the Mazda3 featured standard CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless on higher trims, with an available wireless charging pad. Mazda Connect included Wi-Fi, remote services, navigation, and roadside assistance. The higher-trim Bose stereo, though unimpressive in the past, offered decent sound quality.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring five stars in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. At publication, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet rated the CT5.

Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), blind-spot monitoring, a rear-seat reminder, and a buckle-to-drive feature. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic emergency braking, front park assist, a 360-degree camera system, and an automatic parking assistant.

The Premium Luxury and Sport models could be equipped with Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driver-assist system. Super Cruise handled acceleration, steering, and braking on most U.S. highways, provided the driver kept their eyes on the road. While it was a pricey option and required a subscription for continued use, Super Cruise was one of the best systems of its kind.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 received five stars from the NHTSA and earned a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, performing excellently in crash tests.

Mazda equipped the MAZDA3 with an extensive suite of safety features, standard across the lineup. These included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go was standard, with Cruising and Traffic Support added on the Turbo Premium Plus trim. Though not hands-free like GM’s Super Cruise, it combined adaptive cruise with smart steering assistance for effective driving support in heavy traffic.