2024 Honda Civic 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. Its unique light grey metallic Rift colour and 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish set it apart in a market dominated by Asian and German luxury vehicles. 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 finishes. 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.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Civic Si maintained a stealthy, understated appearance, reminiscent of early "pocket rockets." It featured LED lighting, a gloss-black lip spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch matte-black alloy wheels. The Civic Si's interior was more expressive, with red accents and stitching, metal mesh trim, and polished metal detailing. Priced at $35,630 in Canada, the Civic Si offered a sportier driving experience than the standard Civic sedan, while remaining more practical than the high-performance Civic Type R hatchback.

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 engine outperformed the base engines of its German competitors but fell short of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43. Weighing 1,803 kilograms, the CT5-V could accelerate to 100 km/h in about five seconds, though it felt slower than it sounded. The car's 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with rear-wheel drive, offered various driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. Despite its impressive power, the CT5-V was not a quiet car, with noticeable road noise and a lack of refinement on imperfect surfaces.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, offering a more engaging driving experience. The Civic Si's drivetrain included a helical limited-slip differential, larger brakes, and a dual-pinion variable-ratio steering system. With driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Individual, the Civic Si was a joy to drive, especially on twisty roads. However, its braking system showed signs of overheating during hot testing conditions. The Civic Si achieved a fuel economy of 8.0 L/100 km during testing, slightly above the official rating of 7.7 L/100 km.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with standard artificial leather and optional genuine leather seats. The front seats were 18-way power-adjustable, providing good comfort and support. However, the rear seats were less accessible due to the door frame design. The CT5-V's trunk was small, offering just 337 litres of cargo space, but it included hidden storage and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si balanced performance with practicality, featuring sport-bolstered cloth seats and a manual driver's seat height adjuster. While entering and exiting the car required some effort, the Civic Si's interior was well-equipped with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power sunroof. The rear seat was surprisingly roomy, with ample legroom and a supportive cushion. The Civic Si's trunk offered 408 litres of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases and longer items with its 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V excelled in user-friendly technology, featuring a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. While the test car lacked embedded navigation, it offered optional upgrades like a head-up display and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si came equipped with a 9-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, featuring onboard navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system was easy to use, with physical controls for volume and tuning, and steering wheel controls for accessing different data panels. The Civic Si's technology was simple yet satisfying, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V included the Cadillac Smart System, offering basic safety features like forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Additional driver-assistance features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, though it required driver attention and had occasional issues.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si featured the Honda Sensing suite, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system proved irksome during testing, with lane-keeping assist and lane-centring assist causing issues. The Civic Si earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.