2023 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, building on a legacy that included the Datsun 510 and Nissan Stanza. With the 2023 model, Nissan aimed to maintain its presence in the market with a sizable four-door sedan, even as the Maxima faced discontinuation. The Altima featured updated front styling with a revised grille and new wheel designs, particularly enhancing its visual appeal in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. However, these stylish wheels were prone to curb damage due to their flush design with the tire sidewalls. In Canada, the Altima was available in four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, and it stood out as the only mid-size sedan offering standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite its appealing exterior and interior, the Altima's use of hard plastics and simulated wood trim reminded consumers of its mainstream positioning.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5, introduced as the successor to the Cadillac CTS, offered a more restrained design compared to its predecessor's bold styling. The CT5's front fascia retained a distinctive look, while its stretched wheelbase and fastback silhouette gave it a stately appearance. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5 maintained a contemporary design with a cleaner look than the newly redesigned German sedans. Cadillac's trim levels included the base CT5 Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and performance-oriented CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing models. The CT5 Sport featured sporty styling elements and performance upgrades like Brembo front brakes. Inside, the CT5's interior design was a mix of various elements, with features like massaging front seats adding to the luxury feel, though the overall quality was sometimes lacking.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The standard AWD system could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels, depending on driving conditions. The Altima's power was adequate, with torque arriving at 3,600 rpm, and the CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 6.5 on the highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim, with slightly higher figures for other trims. The Altima's performance was adequate, but its ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Rear visibility was poor, necessitating reliance on the reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert system. In mountainous terrain, the Altima displayed good grip and cornering, but the steering felt lifeless, and the brakes heated up easily.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 was also available, delivering 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with Canadian buyers having the choice of standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The CT5-V variant featured a tuned twin-turbo V6 with 360 hp, while the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 668 hp. The CT5 Premium Luxury test car, equipped with the twin-turbo V6, offered a balanced blend of luxury and sportiness, with neutral handling and a quick 0 to 96 km/h time of 5.1 seconds for AWD models. The ride quality leaned towards a sports sedan, and the interior noise was well-managed, with a pleasant exhaust growl at full throttle.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior, despite its inexpensive fittings, was user-friendly and comfortable. Controls were logically laid out, and the Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom, but the seatbelt buckle anchor could be uncomfortable. Interior storage was reasonable, though the design of the floor mats was problematic. The Altima's trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors, and lacked a handle for easy closing.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 offered comparable passenger space to its German rivals, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class. While second-row headroom was limited, the CT5 provided the most legroom in both rows. The trunk space, at 337 litres, was the smallest in its class. The CT5's driving position was well-designed, with good visibility and adjustable front seats. The base Luxury grade had standard 12-way power adjustment, while higher trims offered more advanced seat adjustments and features like heated and ventilated seats. The centre console was efficiently designed, with ample storage space and well-placed armrests.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, featuring Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio with the expanded 360L service. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system was available on higher trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The system also included NissanConnect Services, requiring a subscription, and a Bose nine-speaker premium audio system. The 12.3-inch system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface and voice recognition technology, though climate control adjustments were not voice-activated.

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. The CT5's infotainment system had improved significantly, with smooth operation and a user-friendly interface. The touchscreen's large icons and digital instrument cluster's sharp graphics were highlights, though glare could obscure the screen. The CT5 lacked the flashy tech of some competitors but excelled in everyday usability.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in all crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. Premium Luxury and Sport models could be equipped with Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system, which offered advanced highway driving capabilities.