2023 Acura TLX vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Acura TLX faced challenges beyond the consumer shift to SUVs, including pandemic-related supply chain constraints and fluctuating car prices, which made it difficult for Acura to offer attractive lease deals. This scarcity made the TLX a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, with its striking Tiger Eye Pearl paint and performance enhancements, was priced at approximately $67,500 in Canada. The TLX's design, inspired by a concept vehicle, featured a long, low, and lean profile with a rear-wheel-drive appearance, though this impacted rear-seat space and cargo capacity. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized style over practicality, with a control layout that required some adjustment for drivers.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac CT5, a successor to the CTS, toned down the bold styling of its predecessor while maintaining a distinctive front fascia and a stately appearance. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5's design remained contemporary. Cadillac offered a range of trims, including the base Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport, with performance models like the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing. The interior, while distinctly Cadillac, lacked cohesion, with various surfaces not blending well. Despite optional luxury features, the cabin sometimes felt less upscale than expected.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX's fuel economy was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. The TLX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, with enhancements like a sport automatic transmission, adaptive suspension, and Brembo brakes. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 250 km/h. However, its brake-by-wire system sometimes led to a mismatch between driver inputs and braking response.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and AWD optional. The CT5-V featured a tuned V6 with 360 hp, while the CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 668 hp. The CT5 Premium Luxury with the twin-turbo V6 accelerated to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds with AWD. The CT5's handling was neutral, with a sporty ride quality and low interior noise, balancing luxury and performance.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured an Ebony interior with Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel had analog gauges with low-contrast red markings. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, while rear seat comfort was limited due to narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space, more akin to a compact car.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 provided comparable passenger space to rivals, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class. The CT5 offered the most legroom in both rows but had the smallest trunk at 337 litres. The driving position was comfortable, with adjustable front seats and a power tilt and telescoping steering column in higher trims. The centre console was well-utilized, with decent storage space and a wireless phone charger.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration, with a 10.2-inch non-touch display controlled by a touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, a wireless charging pad, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. However, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 featured a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Technology Package with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and a smartphone-like feel. However, the touchscreen was prone to glare, and the voice-recognition system lagged behind competitors. The CT5 lacked the flashy tech of some rivals but excelled in everyday usability.

The 2023 Acura TLX came with standard driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Type S added rain-sensing wipers and a surround-view camera. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for the front passenger in a frontal-impact collision.

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 automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system.