2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a bold and striking new look. The redesign introduced a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette that set it apart from its predecessors. The Elantra's exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, carved out its own unique identity with distinctive creases and folds on the doors, creating a "Z" shape that added character and differentiation from both the Sonata and rival compact sedans. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class, despite some hard plastic elements. The N Line trim, in particular, added sporty styling elements, including N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing the car's sporty look and feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V stood out on Canadian roads, where Asian and German luxury cars typically dominated. The CT5-V's unique light grey metallic colour, Rift, and 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish caught the eye, offering a refreshing departure from the common black wheels. The CT5-V, positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing, boasted a sporty design with precise proportions and details. Inside, the CT5-V offered a mix of high-quality materials and some less impressive elements, such as hard plastic panels and unlined storage areas. Despite these drawbacks, the CT5-V featured standard ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making its technology approachable and user-friendly. The CT5-V's interior, while not as refined as some competitors, provided a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, was available on Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims. It came with a six-speed manual transmission as standard on Essential, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional on Essential and standard on other trims. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 32-kilowatt electric motor, and a 1.32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, delivered a total system output of 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim, designed for driving enthusiasts, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) in Canada. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, along with larger front brake rotors, enhanced its ride and handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a sporty driving experience.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, on the other hand, housed a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine under its hood, producing 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This power output exceeded that of the base engines in the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though it fell short of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. The CT5-V could accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately five seconds, though it sounded faster than it felt. The car featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, powering the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential, with an optional all-wheel-drive system available. The CT5-V offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. The performance-tuned Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes contributed to the CT5-V's impressive handling and braking capabilities, though the car's overall refinement left room for improvement.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. Its interior provided excellent outward visibility and comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra's rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof pinching headroom. Cargo space, at 402 litres, was adequate, though the trunk's narrow opening posed a challenge for accessing the area closest to the seatbacks. The Elantra's power tilt-and-slide moonroof, while a nice feature, produced a noticeable droning noise when fully open. The lack of USB ports and rear air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences for back-seat passengers.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V offered a roomier and more comfortable interior compared to its platform siblings, the Cadillac CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro. The CT5-V's front seats, wrapped in standard artificial leather, provided good comfort and support, with optional genuine leather and ventilated front seats available. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a slightly reclined backrest position and excellent thigh support, though the cut of the door frame made entry and exit less graceful. The CT5-V's trunk, at 337 litres, was small and narrow, requiring careful packing for road trips. However, Cadillac provided some hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for carrying items like bottles of wine.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its level of technology, especially considering its price point. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and four speakers. Higher trims, such as the Ultimate and N Line, offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The N Line's infotainment system was easy to pair with an iPhone, and the Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly, though the six-speaker audio system's performance was merely adequate.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, on the other hand, excelled in making technology easy to understand and use. The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system. The CT5-V's stereo volume and radio tuning controls were conveniently located on the centre console, allowing for easy use without taking eyes off the road. While the test car lacked an embedded navigation system, Apple CarPlay was easy to pair and use. Cadillac also offered optional upgrades, such as a head-up display, high-definition surround-view camera, and Performance Data Recorder.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, while forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, lane-centring assistance, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert were standard on all trims except the Essential. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and Safe Exit Warning were also standard on higher trims. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all six IIHS crash tests.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came equipped with the Cadillac Smart System, offering a basic collection of safety features, 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and front parking sensors. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like lane-change systems and a driver monitoring camera. While Super Cruise impressed with its capabilities, drivers still needed to remain attentive and ready to take control when necessary.