2023 Kia Forte vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Kia Forte was a compact sedan that managed to blend older design cues with newer styling elements. Its double-tab grille was a signature feature, while the converging angled cutouts hinted at Kia's latest design language. LED headlights and taillights were standard from the EX+ trim, and the GT trims added LED fog lights and bold red accents for a sportier look. The Forte's side and rear design were typical for its class, but its overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. Inside, the Forte retained Kia's older layout with a touchscreen mounted atop the dash and traditional climate controls below. Despite this, it maintained a modern appearance, and its interior materials were notably nicer than those of its contemporaries, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. Cloth seats were standard, but the GT models featured convincing synthetic leather upholstery. The Forte's cabin aged well, remaining competitive against newer sedans.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, launched as the successor to the Cadillac CTS, dialed back the bold styling of its predecessor while maintaining a distinctive front fascia. Its stretched wheelbase gave it a stately appearance, and the roof's arch at the back hinted at a fastback silhouette. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5's design remained contemporary, with a cleaner look than the newly redesigned German sedans. Cadillac's trim-level structure included the base CT5 Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport, with performance models like the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing. The interior, however, seemed like a mix of different car elements, with surfaces that didn't blend well. While features like massaging front seats added a luxury feel, the cabin's overall appearance was less impressive. Despite optional high-end materials, the CT5's interior still managed to look cheap, feeding into stereotypes of low-quality General Motors interiors.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices. The base engine was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Kia called an intelligent variable transmission (IVT). The GT Limited trim featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) in Canada. Both engines powered the front wheels. The base engine accelerated the Forte to 100 km/h in about 8.8 seconds, while the GT Limited achieved it in roughly 6.5 seconds. The GT Limited also boasted a sport-tuned suspension, offering a sportier driving experience. Despite the CVT making the base model feel slower, it performed adequately for most drivers. The GT Limited's DCT provided better power delivery, though it could be jumpy at lower speeds. The Forte GT Limited handled turns with precision, and its ride quality was comfortable despite the sport-tuned suspension.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered several powertrain options. Base models featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 was available, delivering 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with a mandatory 10-speed automatic transmission, and Canadian buyers could choose between standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The CT5-V variant had a tuned version of the V6, producing 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, while the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 668 hp and 659 lb-ft, available with a six-speed manual transmission. The CT5 Premium Luxury with the twin-turbo V6 was quick, with a 0-96 km/h time of 5.1 seconds for AWD models. The CT5's handling was neutral, with impressive cornering capabilities. Ride quality leaned towards a sports sedan feel, and the cabin was quiet, with a pleasant exhaust growl at full throttle.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments that still offered comfort on long drives. The dashboard and centre console layout placed controls within easy reach, allowing for intuitive operation. Heated front seats and keyless entry were standard on the LX trim, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and sunroof available on higher trims. The rear seats offered enough room for average-sized adults, with higher trims providing separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk had a capacity of 433 litres, offering more cargo space than some competitors. However, the cargo floor's flimsy fabric covering seemed out of place in an otherwise sturdy interior.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered comparable passenger space to rivals from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. It had more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class, with nearly the same as the BMW 5 Series. While second-row headroom was the worst in the group, the CT5 provided the most legroom in both rows. The trunk space was limited to 337 litres, the least among its competitors. The CT5 offered a good driving position, with easy seat adjustments and good visibility. The base Luxury grade featured standard 12-way power and 10-way front passenger adjustment, while higher trims offered more advanced seat adjustments. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada, with ventilated and massaging front seats available on higher trims. The centre console was well-utilized, with decent storage space and a wireless phone charger.

The 2023 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on lower trims, while the GT-Line and GT Limited received a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, with a wireless charging pad available from the EX grade. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on the GT Limited. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with intuitive menu organization and helpful shortcut buttons. While wireless phone integration had issues in the test vehicle, it was generally reliable in other models.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The Technology Package added a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Standard features included three USB ports and wireless phone charging, with an optional 15-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. Cadillac's infotainment system had improved significantly, offering smooth operation and easy-to-use controls. The touchscreen's large icons and smartphone-like feel were appreciated, though glare could obscure the display. The voice-recognition system was less advanced than those in BMW or Mercedes vehicles. While the CT5 lacked the flashy tech of some competitors, it excelled in everyday usability.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. Some base forward collision avoidance features did not meet the Administration's performance criteria, but available upgrades did. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Forte its highest score of "Good" in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor" ratings. In Canada, most driver assistance features were available from the EX trim, including forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist system.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received five stars across the board from the NHTSA, including a five-star overall safety rating and five stars in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. The IIHS had not released safety ratings for the CT5 at the time of publication. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and an automatic parking assistant. Premium Luxury and Sport models could be equipped with Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driver-assist system, which offered impressive handling and intuitive controls.