2025 Cadillac CT5 vs 2024 Hyundai Elantra

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra showcased Hyundai's bold design philosophy, characterized by its dramatic exterior styling. The Elantra's side profile was particularly striking, with numerous hard creases that created a sense of depth but also made the doors appear dented. Despite these design quirks, the Elantra's proportions mimicked those of a more expensive sports sedan, with a low and elongated body and a fastback-like rear end. The interior was inviting, featuring a thin centre stack angled toward the driver and classy silver trim on the dash. However, the use of hard plastics was evident, and the upholstery could have been softer for a more premium feel.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac CT5 retained its appealing design and comfortable interior, although it lacked the sophistication of some rivals. The CT5's refreshed look included vertically stacked headlights and larger running light bars, giving it a subtly updated appearance. Inside, the CT5 boasted a new 33-inch display that dominated the cabin, offering a modern and upscale feel. The interior featured carbon fibre trim and semi-aniline leather upholstery, enhancing the luxury experience. However, some inexpensive plastics were still present, and the powertrain noise was more noticeable than desired.

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre inline-four engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, it struggled on highways. The N Line's 1.6-litre turbo-four delivered 201 hp and 195 lb-ft, providing a zippy and engaging driving experience, though the dual-clutch transmission could be laggy. The Elantra N took performance to another level with a 276 hp engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, offering thrilling acceleration but with some turbo lag and torque steer. The Elantra Hybrid prioritized fuel efficiency, achieving impressive ratings of 4.8 L/100 km city and 4.5 highway.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, producing 335 hp and 405 lb-ft, offered a significant power boost. The CT5's V6 and AWD upgrades added to the cost but provided ample power for both city and highway driving. Fuel economy for the V6 was less impressive, averaging 12.6 L/100 km during testing. The CT5's platform, shared with the Chevrolet Camaro, ensured a lively driving experience, though the Premium Luxury trim felt softer compared to sportier variants.

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra featured a mix of analog and digital controls, with a mechanical parking brake and a conventional shifter. The interior offered good visibility and headroom, with a sunroof standard on higher trims. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though air vents were absent. The trunk provided a generous 402 litres of cargo space, with 60/40 folding rear seats for added versatility.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 offered a comfortable road-trip experience, though road noise was more pronounced than desired. The front seats lacked side bolsters but featured heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Rear-seat passengers had good legroom but limited headroom due to the fast roofline. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless smartphone charger conveniently located. The trunk space was tight at 337 litres, with an uneven floor making it challenging to load larger items.

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims, while lower trims had an 8-inch screen with surrounding shortcut buttons. The larger system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the wired version was quick. An eight-speaker Bose stereo, wireless charging pad, and Highway Driving Assist were standard on higher trims.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5's standout feature was its new 33-inch panoramic display, housing three screens with Google Built-in technology. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 15-speaker premium audio system. The CT5 also featured a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and Teen Driver technology, providing a comprehensive and user-friendly tech experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it scored worse in a new frontal crash test compared to previous models. Standard safety features included forward braking assist, lane keep assist, and a driver attention monitor, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 came equipped with a comprehensive set of driving assistance systems, including a surround-view camera system and active blind-spot monitoring. The highlight was Super Cruise, offering hands-free driving on approved roads. The CT5 received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all crash tests, including rollover resistance.