2023 Cadillac CT5 vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

In Southern California, where the 2023 Cadillac CT5 was tested, the car stood out amidst the dominance of Asian and German luxury vehicles. Its rarity on the roads of Los Angeles drew attention, with many passersby giving it a second glance. The CT5-V test vehicle was coated in a distinctive light gray metallic color called Rift, which, combined with its 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish, made it a visual standout. The car's design was a harmonious blend of black, body color, chrome, and wheel-matching finishes, with Cadillac achieving a perfect balance in proportions and details.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing, offered a sporty take on the midsize luxury sedan. Priced at $52,390, it was more expensive than the base model but significantly cheaper than the Blackwing. The test car, equipped with the Climate Package and Super Cruise 1 Package, had an MSRP of $59,405. Competing with the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class in size and power, the CT5-V's pricing aligned more with the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Despite its competitive pricing, the interior quality revealed why it was more affordable, with a mix of high-quality materials and cheaper details. The CT5-V came with standard features like ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making its technology user-friendly and straightforward.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in its seventh generation since 2021, continued to impress with its S 500, S 580, Maybach S 580, and Maybach S 680 trims. In 2023, the S-Class embraced electrification with the S 580e plug-in hybrid, featuring a 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S-Class exuded sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end, while the S 580e tester added high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and skirts for a slightly sportier look. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious experience with eight leather upholstery options and five trim materials. The Sienna Brown and Black leather interior, panoramic sunroof, and superb fit and finish created an opulent atmosphere. The seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft headrests that encouraged relaxation.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This output surpassed the base engines of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class but fell short of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. Weighing 3,974 pounds, the CT5-V could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, though it felt slower than it sounded. The engine featured Active Fuel Management for cylinder deactivation, achieving an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, though our test yielded 19.5 mpg. The 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential, with an available all-wheel-drive option. While the transmission was nearly faultless in most conditions, it occasionally struggled during spirited driving, necessitating the use of paddle shifters.

The CT5-V offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, each adjusting steering, suspension, brake feel, engine sound, and more. The Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes enhanced performance, while the 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires provided grip. The exhaust note was resonant but intrusive, even in Tour mode, prompting adjustments to Stealth mode. Despite road noise and suspension racket, the CT5-V excelled in balance, body control, and braking. However, the steering lacked feel and feedback, and the car needed more refinement. The CT5-V was enjoyable to drive, especially in My Mode, but the steering and refinement issues were notable drawbacks.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz 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 took about two hours and 20 minutes, costing $8.93 in California. The S 580e also supported 60 kW DC fast charging. The EPA rated it at 51 MPGe combined, but our test achieved 53.9 mpg over nearly 400 miles, with 223 miles driven on electricity alone. The gas engine and electric motor produced 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. The S 580e accelerated to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, matching the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8. The S-Class prioritized comfort, with a buttery soft air suspension and rear-wheel steering for agility. The hybrid mode offered smooth transitions between electric and gas power, though there was a slight jerk when downshifting to first gear. Brake regeneration was adjustable, and a creep function was available for one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5, built on the same platform as the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro, offered a roomier and more comfortable interior. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats were wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, with genuine leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel as options. The test vehicle's deflated seat bolsters initially felt flat, but adjustments provided good comfort and support. Front seat access was easy, but the rear seats were trickier due to the door frame and inboard seating position. The rear seat offered a slightly reclined backrest and excellent thigh support, though the plastic front seatback panels detracted from the overall quality. The CT5-V provided functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a slot for devices. The trunk, however, was small at 11.9 cubic feet, with limited space for road trips. Hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for items like wine bottles were available, and the 60/40 split back seat allowed for longer items.

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, while 64-color ambient lighting offered a customizable atmosphere. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls for a mood-boosting experience. The S-Class provided ample storage with small cubbies and a spacious center armrest, but the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet. The standard S-Class offered 12.9 cubic feet, while the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid provided over 14 cubic feet with its hatchback lift gate.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V excelled in user-friendly technology, with a 12-inch digital instrumentation and 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, OnStar, and Cadillac Connected Access services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, Alexa Built-in, natural voice recognition, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. The CT5-V offered stereo volume and radio tuning controls on the center console, with a perfect approach to station selection. An optional navigation system was available, though our test car lacked it. Apple CarPlay was heavily relied upon, but future models would no longer offer it, replaced by subscription-based services. Upgrades included a head-up display, high-definition surround-view camera, and Performance Data Recorder.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The home screen displayed a map, with tiles overlaying it or laid out on a black background. The system included games for entertainment during charging. The natural-language AI assistant adjusted settings based on voice commands and even told jokes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but the native navigation system was praised for its augmented reality features. The head-up display offered additional augmented reality, though the stoplight view feature was deemed excessive. Wireless charging and USB-C ports were included, along with a standard Burmester sound system.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came with a standard Cadillac Smart System, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, rear-seat reminder, rear parking sensors, and Teen Driver monitoring technology. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic rear braking, and front parking sensors. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and lane-change systems. Super Cruise required driver attention and could be overridden if necessary. The system performed well, though occasional issues arose, such as confusion in carpool lanes and lane sway on mountain passes.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control to maintain distance and lane centering, with automatic lane changes when signaled. Crosswind Assist kept the car stable in windy conditions, while Speed Limit Assist adjusted cruising speed based on traffic signs. The S-Class had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.