2023 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous utilitarian image for a more stylish and modern appearance. This redesign was a response to increasing competition from electric vehicles and other hybrids, prompting Toyota to create a car that was both efficient and visually appealing. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic look while maintaining appeal for traditional buyers. The car's dimensions were altered, making it longer, lower, and wider, with wheels pushed to the corners for improved handling and a more athletic stance. Inside, the Prius offered a solid and well-finished cabin, with high-quality materials and a new driver-focused layout that included a pair of screens beside the driver's seat and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen.

In contrast, the 2024 Cadillac CT5, which succeeded the Cadillac CTS, presented a more restrained yet confident design. While it lacked the bold chrome and geometric surfacing of its predecessor, the CT5 maintained a distinctive front fascia and a stately appearance due to its stretched wheelbase. The roof's subtle fastback silhouette added a touch of elegance. Despite being older than some competitors, the CT5's design remained contemporary, with a cleaner look than the newly redesigned German sedans. The interior, however, was a mix of various elements, with some surfaces not blending seamlessly. While the CT5 offered luxury features like massaging front seats, the overall cabin quality was somewhat lacking, with even high-end trims appearing less luxurious than expected.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, an upgrade from the previous 1.8-litre unit. This engine, combined with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, delivered 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 impressive fuel economy ratings of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 combined. The new Prius felt more athletic and responsive, with improved acceleration and handling, thanks to its revised suspension and longer wheelbase. However, engine noise was noticeable during hard acceleration, and the brakes had a slight squishiness typical of hybrids.

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 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with Canadian buyers having the choice of rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The CT5-V variant featured a tuned V6 with 360 horsepower, while the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 668 horsepower. The CT5 Premium Luxury model, with its twin-turbo V6, offered a balanced blend of luxury and sportiness, with a 0-96 km/h time of 5.1 seconds for AWD models. The CT5's handling was impressive, with neutral dynamics and minimal understeer, though ride quality leaned more towards a sports sedan than a luxury vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior in some dimensions compared to its predecessor. The sloping roofline reduced headroom in both front and rear seats, but legroom increased, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. Canadian models featured SofTex leatherette upholstery, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard. The Limited trim included a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin's openness. Cargo space decreased to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat compromised by the loss of the split rear window. The cabin offered practical touches like multiple cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports, though the cargo section's underfloor storage could have been more efficient.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 provided competitive passenger space, with more front headroom than the Audi A6 and outgoing Mercedes E-Class, and similar to the BMW 5 Series. However, second-row headroom was the lowest among its rivals, though it offered the most legroom in both rows. The CT5's trunk space was limited to 337 litres. The driving position was well-suited for a sporty sedan, with good visibility and adjustable seating options. The base Luxury grade had standard 12-way power adjustment for the driver and 10-way for the front passenger, while higher trims offered more advanced adjustments. The centre console was efficiently designed, with ample storage and a wireless phone charger.

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, though the navigation required a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it was criticized for being too cluttered. The Limited trim included wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror. Subscription-based connectivity bundles offered features like remote access, safety assistance, and cloud navigation.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5's standard infotainment system included a 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 system featured a rotary controller and analog controls for non-connectivity functions. While the touchscreen had large icons and sharp graphics, it was prone to glare, and the voice-recognition system lagged behind competitors. The CT5 lacked the flashy tech of some rivals but excelled in everyday usability.

The 2023 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and more. The Proactive Driving Assist feature used radar and cameras to detect obstacles and adjust speed accordingly. The Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not yet rated it. Additional safety features included stability control, traction control, eight airbags, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2024 Cadillac CT5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assist system. Super Cruise was praised for its intuitive controls and confidence-inspiring performance.