2024 Kia K5 vs 2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V was a rare sight on Canadian roads, often overshadowed by Asian and German luxury vehicles. Its unique light grey metallic colour, Rift, and 19-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish caught the attention of many, especially men, who gave it double-takes and long stares. 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 detailed.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia K5 GT-Line, painted in Passion Red Tint Coat, also turned heads, particularly among cyclists who admired its vibrant colour. Despite being on the market since 2021, the K5 was still relatively unknown in North America, often mistaken for a new model. The K5's design drew attention and admiration, suggesting that its aesthetic appeal was a strong point, even if its name change from the Optima hadn't fully registered with the public.

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 placed it above 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 km/h in about five seconds, though it felt slower than it sounded. The car featured Active Fuel Management and a fuel economy rating of 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving, though our test showed 12.1 L/100 km. The 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with rear-wheel drive, offered several driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, My Mode, and V-Mode, with a Snow/Ice mode for winter. The CT5-V's Magnetic Ride Control suspension and Brembo brakes provided excellent handling, though road noise and a lack of refinement were noted.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The K5 GT model featured a more powerful 2.5-litre engine with 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, available only with front-wheel drive. The K5 GT-Line, while sporty in appearance, was more fuel-efficient, with a rating of 8.3 L/100 km, though our test showed 11.5 L/100 km. The K5's suspension provided a comfortable ride with good control, though the brakes on the GT-Line were not up to the task of spirited driving. The steering was adequate but not exceptional, and the GT-Line's performance was enjoyable, though the GT model was better suited for more enthusiastic driving.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V offered a spacious and comfortable interior, despite sharing a platform with the smaller CT4 and Chevrolet Camaro. The standard 18-way power-adjustable front seats, wrapped in artificial leather, provided good comfort and support, with genuine leather and ventilated seats as options. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada. The rear seats, while comfortable, were less accessible due to the door frame design. The CT5-V's trunk offered 337 litres of cargo space, with some hidden storage, though it was small and narrow.

The 2024 Kia K5 provided comfort and utility, with SynTex artificial leather in the GT-Line trim. The 10-way power driver's seat and manual front passenger seat height adjuster were notable features. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control were standard in Canada, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available. The K5's panoramic sunroof added to the appeal, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The K5 offered 453 litres of cargo space, with a Smart Trunk function for easy access.

The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V featured a user-friendly Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and available 12-inch digital instrumentation. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, OnStar, and a Bose 15-speaker audio system. The system's simplicity was a highlight, though the lack of an embedded navigation system limited voice recognition capabilities. Additional options included a head-up display, surround-view camera, and Performance Data Recorder.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered an 8-inch touchscreen on LX and EX trims, with a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on lower trims and wired on higher ones. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. Voice recognition was less effective than smartphone assistants, making a USB cable essential for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A wireless charging pad was available on all but the base trim, with a 12-speaker Bose audio system exclusive to the GT trim.

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-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise 1 Package offered hands-free driving assistance on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. Super Cruise's automated lane-change function was impressive, though it occasionally required manual intervention.

The 2024 Kia K5 included standard driver-assistance systems like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which provided semi-autonomous highway driving. HDA was smooth and accurate, though it could improve in resuming speed and navigating complex intersections. The K5 received high safety ratings from the NHTSA but scored poorly in updated IIHS tests.