2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged as a notable contender in a market where hatchbacks were losing ground to small crossover SUVs. Despite the decline in popularity, Honda saw an opportunity to capture a significant share of the remaining market with its redesigned Civic hatchback. Manufactured in Indiana, this model was one of the few compact cars still produced in North America. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements like a different grille pattern and wheel designs. However, it still suffered from a design flaw known as "stubby butt syndrome," where the visual weight appeared concentrated over the front wheels. Inside, the Civic hatchback mirrored the sedan's interior, with the Sport Touring trim offering advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The overall sophistication was slightly marred by the CVT shifter operation.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5 was a rare sight on Canadian roads, often turning heads with its unique styling. The CT5-V test vehicle, in particular, stood out with its light grey metallic Rift paint and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The CT5-V was positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing, offering a sporty yet luxurious experience. Priced higher than the standard model but significantly lower than the Blackwing, the CT5-V offered a balance of performance and luxury. The interior quality, however, was a mix of high-quality materials and less impressive details, with some hard plastic panels and unlined storage areas. Despite these shortcomings, the CT5-V came equipped with standard features like ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a luxury sports sedan.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter, available in Sport and Sport Touring trims, delivered peak torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, providing a lively driving experience. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The CVT paired well with the turbocharged engine, offering a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic's suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, though it was not designed for aggressive driving on winding roads. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, on the other hand, boasted a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine with 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the CT5-V to accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately five seconds. The 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with an electronic limited-slip differential, offered a smooth driving experience, though the paddle shifters were necessary for more spirited driving. The CT5-V featured several driving modes, including Tour, Sport, and Track, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. The Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes contributed to the CT5-V's impressive handling and braking capabilities. However, the car's exhaust note and road noise were more pronounced than expected, detracting from the overall refinement.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, offering a generous 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade for easy loading. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. The interior provided comfortable seating with sufficient legroom, though some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim added heated outboard rear seats and black leather upholstery, enhancing the overall comfort and luxury.

In comparison, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with standard artificial leather wrapping the 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats. Genuine leather and ventilated front seats were optional. The rear seats provided good thigh support and knee clearance, though the door frame design made entry and exit less graceful. The CT5-V's trunk, however, was a disappointment, offering just 337 litres of cargo space. Despite this, Cadillac provided some hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for additional items. The interior featured functional storage areas and smartphone-friendly locations, enhancing convenience for drivers and passengers.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with the Sport Touring trim offering a 9-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls addressed previous criticisms, and the voice recognition system worked effectively. Digital instrumentation was standard, with the Sport Touring trim featuring a comprehensive 10.2-inch display panel.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V's Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. The system was praised for its simplicity and ease of use, with stereo volume and radio tuning controls conveniently located on the centre console. An embedded navigation system was optional, and the CT5-V offered additional features like a head-up display and a high-definition surround-view camera. However, future models would no longer offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, replacing them with subscription-based services.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with the Honda Sensing collection of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The system also offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. In Canada, a blind-spot warning system was standard, with rear cross-traffic warning available on the Sport Touring trim. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety performance.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 featured the Cadillac Smart System, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The CT5-V added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like lane-centring and lane-change systems. While Super Cruise was impressive, drivers still needed to remain attentive, as the system occasionally required manual intervention.