2023 Toyota Prius vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was a rare sight on Canadian roads, often turning heads and drawing attention, particularly from male onlookers. The test vehicle's unique light grey metallic colour, called Rift, and its 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish, stood out in a market dominated by Asian and German luxury cars. Cadillac's attention to detail was evident in the CT5-V's design, with a mix of black, body colour, chrome, and wheel-like finishes that were perfectly proportioned and meticulously crafted.

Inside, the CT5-V offered a mix of high-quality materials and some less impressive details. The leather, matte-finish buttons, stainless steel speaker grilles, and polished metallic accents met expectations for a luxury sedan. However, the presence of hard plastic panels and unlined storage areas detracted from the overall impression. Despite these shortcomings, the CT5-V featured standard ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an available 12-inch digital instrumentation display, making its technology user-friendly and approachable.

The 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a complete transformation, finally achieving a stylish design that had been missing from the lineup. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic appearance without alienating traditional buyers. The wheels were pushed further into the corners, enhancing both handling and the car's athletic stance. The Prius was longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor, with 19-inch alloy wheels standard on the XLE and Limited models in Canada.

Inside, the Prius prioritized function over form, with a focus on high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish. The cabin featured a pair of screens beside the driver's seat, including an instrument panel and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen, a welcome departure from the previous centre-mounted display. While the interior lacked decorative trim pieces, it provided a comfortable and practical environment for occupants.

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 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. The CT5-V weighed 1,803 kilograms and could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately five seconds, though it sounded faster than it felt. The car featured Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation and a fuel economy rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test achieving 12.1 L/100 km on a mountainous route.

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 car offered several driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, each adjusting steering, suspension, brake feel, engine sound, and more. The CT5-V's Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping suspension and Brembo front brakes contributed to its performance, while the 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer performance tires provided grip. Despite its enjoyable driving dynamics, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with road noise and suspension racket detracting from refinement.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, producing 196 total horsepower in all-wheel drive models, standard in Canada. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 horsepower. The Prius achieved a fuel economy rating of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 combined, making it one of the most efficient hybrids available.

The new Prius felt more athletic and responsive, with improved acceleration and a 0-100 km/h time of just over seven seconds, a notable improvement from the previous model's 10.5 seconds. Road and wind noise were well-isolated, except during hard acceleration. The Prius's handling was agile, thanks to a revised suspension and longer wheelbase, while the brakes exhibited minor squishiness typical of hybrids. Overall, the Prius provided a comfortable and engaging driving experience.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V, built on the same platform as the smaller Cadillac CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro, offered a roomier and more comfortable interior. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front performance seats were wrapped in artificial leather, with genuine leather and ventilated front seats available as options. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada. The rear seats, while offering good thigh support and knee clearance, were less accessible due to the door frame design and inboard seating position.

The CT5-V provided functional storage areas, including a wireless smartphone charging pad and a slot for securing devices. The trunk, however, was small and narrow, offering just 337 litres of cargo space. Hidden storage under the trunk floor and a deep well for items like wine bottles were available, and the 60/40 split back seat could be folded for longer items.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior in some dimensions compared to the previous model. Headroom was reduced due to the sloping roofline, but legroom increased, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. SofTex leatherette upholstery was standard in Canadian models, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Limited trim featured a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin's openness.

Cargo space in the Prius decreased to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat compromised by the loss of the split rear window. The cabin included cupholders, a wireless smartphone charging pocket, and USB-C charging ports. The cargo area had small underfloor storage cubbies, though a single large pocket would have been more practical. A flexible cargo cover was integrated into the rear window for added privacy.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured a Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and available 12-inch digital instrumentation. The system included 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 audio system. An optional navigation system, head-up display, and high-definition surround-view camera were available.

The 2023 Toyota Prius XLE models came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the Limited trim featured a larger 12.3-inch screen. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with cloud-based navigation requiring a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it was criticized for being too busy. The Limited trim included wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror with a camera washer. Subscription-based connectivity bundles offered additional features like remote access and safety services.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5 came with a standard Cadillac Smart System, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and more. The CT5-V added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and front parking sensors. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, with automated lane-change functionality.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and more. The system's Proactive Driving Assist used radar and cameras to detect obstacles and adjust speed accordingly. The Prius also included stability control, traction control, eight airbags, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim offered hands-free automatic parallel parking. The Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.