2024 Acura Integra vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

In Southern California, where the 2023 Cadillac CT5 was tested, the car stood out amidst a sea of Asian and German luxury vehicles. Its unique light gray metallic color, called Rift, and 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish caught the attention of many, particularly men, who gave it double-takes and long stares. The CT5-V, a sporty version of the midsize luxury sedan, was priced at $52,390, significantly higher than the standard model but much lower than the performance-tuned Blackwing. Despite its competitive pricing, the interior quality of the CT5-V was a mix of high-quality materials and cheaper details, which explained its affordability compared to its German rivals. The cabin featured standard ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an available 12-inch digital instrumentation display.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S, on the other hand, was distinguished by its widebody appearance and aggressive detailing, sharing many components with the Honda Civic Type R. Its redesigned front end accommodated a 3.1-inch increase in front track width, 19-inch wheels, and aerodynamic aids. The rear track was also wider, with a lower body kit and rear fender flares. The Integra Type S was available in a single specification level, with options for paint colors and dealer-installed accessories. The interior was similar to the Integra A-Spec, with Type S emblems and Ultrasuede seat inserts. However, the quality of materials was not up to expectations for a vehicle of its price, especially in the rear seats, where passengers might question the value of the car.

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 was more than the base engines of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but less than the BMW M340i or Mercedes-AMG C 43. The CT5-V could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, although it sounded faster than it felt. The car featured Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation and an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, though the test achieved 19.5 mpg. A 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with an available all-wheel-drive system. The CT5-V offered several driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, with a performance-tuned Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes. Despite its resonant exhaust note and enjoyable driving dynamics, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with road noise and suspension racket on imperfect surfaces.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S shared its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with the Honda Civic Type R, producing 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev matching and a helical-type limited-slip differential. The Integra Type S had a dual-axis front strut and multi-link rear suspension with adaptive damping, dual-pinion variable-ratio steering, and Brembo brakes. It offered four driving modes and sat on 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The Integra Type S was tuned for a softer ride than the Civic Type R, making it more comfortable in Sport+ mode. Despite its 31-pound weight increase over the Honda, the Integra Type S delivered a thrilling driving experience with minimal torque steer. However, it was loud on the highway, and the steering could be sharper. The car's small fuel tank limited its range, but it remained satisfying to drive on both spirited and relaxed journeys.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 offered a roomier and more comfortable interior than the smaller Cadillac CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats were wrapped in Inteluxe artificial leather, with genuine leather optional. The test vehicle's seats felt flat due to deflated bolsters, but once adjusted, they provided good comfort and support. Entering and exiting the front seats was easy, but the rear seats were trickier due to the door frame cut and inboard seating position. The rear seat offered a slightly reclined backrest and excellent thigh support, but the cheap-looking plastic front seatback panels detracted from the experience. The CT5-V had functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a decent-sized storage bin. However, the trunk was small, with just 11.9 cubic feet of cargo space, though it offered some hidden storage and a foldable 60/40 split back seat.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured front sport seats with more aggressive lower bolsters than other Integra models, providing comfort in everyday driving. The driver's seat had 12-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked power adjustment and height adjustment. The Integra Type S was a four-passenger car, with decent legroom and foot room for rear-seat passengers, though the bottom cushion lacked thigh support. Storage was limited, with cupholders in the rear seat and no air conditioning vents or USB charging ports. The sportback body style offered a large liftgate and 24.3 cubic feet of cargo area, doubling with the back seats folded down. This provided the utility of a small crossover SUV with the driving character of a sports car.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 featured a Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and available 12-inch digital instrumentation display. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and OnStar services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. It also offered wireless smartphone charging, Alexa Built-in, natural voice recognition, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. The CT5-V had stereo volume and radio tuning controls on the center console, with an optional embedded navigation system. The test car relied on Apple CarPlay for navigation, though future models would not offer it. Additional upgrades included a head-up display, high-definition surround-view camera, and Performance Data Recorder.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S came with a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch infotainment screen. The system was simple to use, with a touchscreen, volume knob, tuning buttons, and a Home button. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system. Pairing an iPhone took longer than expected, and the wireless smartphone charger was unreliable. The audio system struggled with sound quality due to the car's loudness, with SiriusXM delivering the best sound. The Integra Type S offered a 5.3-inch head-up display, showing speed, speed limit, and ADAS settings.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came with a standard Cadillac Smart System, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. 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 manually. It performed well in most situations but had occasional issues with lane changes and carpool lane markings.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured AcuraWatch, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The manual transmission limited some adaptive cruise control capabilities. The Integra Type S had ten airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and front and rear parking sensors. AcuraWatch operated as intended, though it wasn't as smooth as rival systems. The standard Integra received high safety ratings, suggesting the Type S would perform well in crash tests.