2023 Acura TLX vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was a rare sight on Canadian roads, often turning heads and drawing attention with its unique styling. The test vehicle, finished in a distinctive light grey metallic colour called Rift, stood out with its 19-inch aluminum wheels featuring a Pearl Nickel finish. Cadillac's attention to detail was evident in the CT5-V's design, with a harmonious blend of black, body colour, chrome, and wheel-matching trim elements. Positioned between the standard CT5 and the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing, the CT5-V offered a sporty yet luxurious experience at a starting price of $58,429, with our test model priced at $66,044 due to additional packages.

Inside, the CT5-V presented a mix of high-quality materials and less impressive details. While the leather, matte-finish buttons, and polished metallic accents met luxury expectations, the presence of hard plastic panels and unlined storage areas detracted from the overall impression. Despite these shortcomings, the CT5-V came equipped with standard features like ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The layout of controls was logical, and the technology was user-friendly, making the CT5-V a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of performance and luxury.

The 2023 Acura TLX, particularly in the Type S variant, was a striking and sporty sedan that faced challenges due to market shifts and supply chain constraints. The TLX Type S, adorned in Tiger Eye Pearl paint and equipped with performance enhancements, was priced at approximately $67,500 in Canada. Based on a concept vehicle, the TLX showcased Acura's new design language, featuring a long, low, and lean profile with a rear-wheel-drive appearance. However, this dramatic styling compromised rear-seat headroom, legroom, and cargo space, making it less practical for those prioritizing interior comfort.

Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard design emphasized width but sacrificed practicality. The control layout required drivers to adapt to new ways of interacting with the vehicle's systems, leading to potential distractions. The Type S model, powered by a turbocharged V6 engine and equipped with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, offered a thrilling driving experience. However, the TLX's Electro Servo braking system, which lacked a physical connection between the brake pedal and the master cylinder, posed challenges in delivering consistent braking performance. Despite these drawbacks, the TLX Type S excelled in handling and performance, making it an enjoyable choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This power output surpassed the base engines of competitors like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though it fell short of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. Weighing 1,803 kilograms, the CT5-V could accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately five seconds, though it felt slower than it sounded. The car featured Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation and achieved a fuel economy rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test yielding 12.1 L/100 km.

The CT5-V's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The transmission promised the "right gear, right time," but our experience in mountainous terrain suggested otherwise, necessitating the use of paddle shifters. The CT5-V offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing owners to tailor the car's performance characteristics. The Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes contributed to the CT5-V's impressive handling and braking capabilities.

The 2023 Acura TLX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The engine achieved a fuel economy rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. The TLX's SH-AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control during spirited driving. The Type S variant, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivered 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, offering exhilarating performance.

The TLX Type S featured performance enhancements such as a sport automatic transmission with rev-matching downshifts, adaptive dampers, and Brembo front brakes. Acura claimed a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of five seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. The Type S averaged 11.8 L/100 km during testing. While the TLX Type S excelled in performance, its Electro Servo braking system, lacking a physical connection between the brake pedal and master cylinder, posed challenges in delivering consistent braking performance. Despite this, the TLX Type S offered a thrilling driving experience with its agile handling and responsive steering.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5, built on the same platform as the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro, offered a spacious and comfortable interior. The CT5-V featured standard artificial leather on the 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats, with genuine leather and ventilated front seats available as options. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada. The test vehicle's seats initially felt flat due to deflated bolsters, but once adjusted, they provided good comfort and support. Front seat access was easy, while rear seat entry was more challenging due to the door frame design.

The CT5-V's rear seat offered a slightly reclined backrest and angled lower cushion, providing excellent thigh support. However, the plastic front seatback panels detracted from the overall quality. The CT5-V provided functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a slot for devices. The trunk, with a capacity of 337 litres, was small and narrow, requiring careful packing for road trips. Hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for items like wine bottles added some practicality.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S, available in Canada with an Ebony interior, featured premium Milano leather with artificial suede inserts and contrast stitching. The test car's Orchid interior, not available in Canada, looked impressive with optional carbon fibre trim. The Type S model's flat-bottom sport steering wheel and analog gauges with brushed metal backgrounds added to the sporty feel, though the low-contrast red markings were challenging to read. The TLX's front seats offered excellent comfort, but the rear seats were cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom.

The TLX's trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, comparable to a compact car rather than a midsize model. The flat trunk floor and enclosed trunk hinges maximized usability. Acura's design choices, preserving the concept car's aesthetics, resulted in compromised rear-seat comfort and cargo space. Despite these limitations, the TLX Type S offered a visually striking and sporty interior, appealing to those prioritizing style over practicality.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V excelled in making technology user-friendly, a significant improvement from a decade ago. The available 12-inch digital instrumentation and 10-inch touchscreen infotainment displays prioritized simplicity over flashy graphics. The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system included features like Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and OnStar services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The CT5-V also offered wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and a Bose 15-speaker premium audio system.

Cadillac's approach to stereo volume and radio tuning controls was intuitive, with console and steering wheel options for easy access. The test car lacked an embedded navigation system, but Apple CarPlay integration was seamless. However, General Motors announced plans to discontinue Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in future models, replacing them with subscription-based services. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, high-definition surround-view camera, and Performance Data Recorder.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration for users. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, relying on the TTI touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. While Acura provided a stereo volume knob and radio tuning button, the TTI proved distracting and occupied valuable centre console space. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a wireless charging pad, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D premium audio system.

Pairing an iPhone to the TLX's Bluetooth was straightforward, but the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto limited functionality. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and display screen was not as intuitive as a traditional touchscreen, detracting from the overall user experience. Despite these challenges, the TLX offered a comprehensive suite of infotainment features, appealing to tech-savvy consumers.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came equipped with the standard Cadillac Smart System, offering basic safety features like 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 provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with features like lane-centring and lane-change systems.

Super Cruise impressed with its automated lane-change function, though manual intervention was sometimes necessary. The system's performance on mountain roads and in traffic was commendable, but occasional issues with lane markings and HOV lanes highlighted the need for driver attention. Overall, Super Cruise represented a significant advancement in driving assistance technology, enhancing the CT5-V's safety features.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-centring assist. The TLX also featured adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. The Type S model included rain-sensing wipers, a wiper de-icer system, and a surround-view camera, though it lacked a head-up display.

The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility (ACE) body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety credentials. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2023 TLX a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star overall crash-test rating. Despite occasional false warnings and adaptive cruise control's leisurely acceleration, the TLX's safety systems performed well, providing peace of mind to drivers.