2024 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, a successor to the CTS, presented a more restrained design compared to its predecessor. While it lacked the excessive 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. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5's design remained contemporary, offering a cleaner look than the newly redesigned German sedans. Inside, the CT5's interior seemed a mix of various car elements, with surfaces that didn't blend well. The luxury feel came more from features like massaging front seats rather than visual appeal, and even with optional high-end materials, the cabin felt somewhat cheap.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Prius retained its iconic wedge-shaped profile but introduced more appealing styling with its 2023 redesign. The Prius XLE and Limited models stood out with attractive 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Prius remained quirky, with instrumentation moved in front of the driver, though visibility could be an issue depending on seating position. The interior featured hard plastics, leading to a flimsy feel despite potential durability. The 2024 model continued unchanged from the previous year, with trim levels ranging from LE to Limited. Our XLE test vehicle, equipped with numerous options, had a total MSRP of $35,532, including destination charges.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered multiple powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 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 10-speed automatic transmission and the choice of RWD or AWD. Performance variants included the CT5-V with a tuned V6 producing 360 hp and the CT5-V Blackwing with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 generating 668 hp. Our AWD CT5 Premium Luxury test car, equipped with the twin-turbo V6, offered a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. The CT5 balanced luxury and sportiness, with impressive handling and a comfortable ride, though the 19-inch wheels might have affected ride comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, following its redesign, boasted improved performance. The hybrid system combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 83-kilowatt electric motor, producing 194 hp with FWD and 196 hp with AWD. The Prius accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with FWD and seven seconds with AWD. The LE trim achieved the best fuel economy, with 57 mpg combined (54 mpg with AWD), while the XLE and Limited offered 52 mpg (49 mpg with AWD). Our test car averaged 48.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Prius's handling improved, though steering felt artificial, and the CVT could be noisy. Visibility was limited by the windshield pillars, but overall, the Prius offered a more engaging driving experience than before.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 provided competitive passenger space, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class, and similar to the BMW 5 Series. It offered the most legroom in both rows but had the smallest trunk space at 11.9 cubic feet. The CT5's driving position was well-designed, with adjustable front seats and a power tilt and telescoping steering column in higher trims. The center console was efficiently organized, with decent storage and well-placed armrests.

The 2024 Toyota Prius's interior felt snug due to its dramatic exterior styling. The driver’s seat was comfortable, but the 7-inch display panel was too small and often obstructed by the steering wheel. The windshield pillars created a claustrophobic feel, and rear seats were cramped but comfortable for two. The Prius offered 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the XLE and Limited trims (23.8 cubic feet for the LE), though the cargo cover limited capacity. A digital rearview mirror was available with Limited trim, providing a panoramic view when the cargo area was full.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 featured a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Technology Package added a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Standard features included three USB ports and wireless phone charging, with an optional 15-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the touchscreen could suffer from glare. While lacking the flashy tech of some competitors, the CT5 prioritized usability.

The 2024 Toyota Prius offered an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. Various connected services were available, with trial subscriptions of different lengths. The Limited trim featured an eight-speaker JBL sound system, though it was bass-heavy. Additional options included a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

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 safety features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system, was available on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle steering and braking. The Prius earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover rating, and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.