2025 Cadillac CT5 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 retained its appealing design and driving dynamics, which had been a hallmark since its introduction in 2020. Despite its attractive appearance and comfortable interior, the CT5 was often criticized for lacking the sophistication of its competitors and having a small trunk. Over the years, Cadillac enhanced the CT5 with more power, performance, and advanced technology. The 2025 model featured a refreshed exterior with vertically stacked headlights and a bold front fascia. Inside, the CT5 boasted a new 33-inch display, offering a modern and upscale look. The interior was further enhanced with carbon fibre trim and luxurious semi-aniline leather upholstery, although some inexpensive plastic elements remained.

In contrast, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, particularly the AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon, offered a unique blend of performance and practicality. The wagon's design stood out with its low-slung stance and rakish roofline, making it a rare sight on the road. Inside, the E-Class exuded luxury with Nappa leather upholstery and natural grain wood trim. The MBUX Superscreen package added a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, although it was more of a novelty than a necessity. The mix of materials and details in the E-Class cabin showcased quality, but some metallic surfaces could become uncomfortably hot in the sun, and the screens were prone to collecting dust and fingerprints.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 offered a choice between a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and an optional twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. The base engine produced 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered a more robust 335 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive available as an option. The V6 and AWD upgrades added significant cost and impacted fuel economy, with the V6 averaging 12.6 L/100 km during testing. The CT5's driving experience was generally enjoyable, with the V6 providing ample power for city and highway driving. However, the Premium Luxury trim felt softer and less athletic compared to sportier variants.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon featured a sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combined a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine with a 120-kilowatt electric motor and a 21.2-kilowatt-hour battery. The system produced a total of 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, with an impressive 604 hp available with Race Start active. The wagon could accelerate to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The E 53 Hybrid offered a 66-kilometre electric range and averaged 10.3 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The AMG-enhanced hardware, including a nine-speed automatic transmission, adaptive air suspension, and rear-axle steering, transformed the wagon into a high-performance vehicle. However, the brakes were inconsistent, and road noise was excessive on highways.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 provided a comfortable road-tripping experience, although it was louder than expected, and the front seats lacked side bolsters. 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. However, cargo space was tight at 337 litres, and the trunk's uneven floor made it challenging to load large suitcases.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon offered more practicality than its sedan counterpart, with 460 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,675 litres with the seats folded. The wagon's lower roofline could be a liability in some situations, and fitting a full-size suitcase required removing the cargo cover. The front seats were comfortable and well-bolstered, especially with the optional Multicontour Seating Package. However, the E-Class wagon felt snug compared to the GLE SUV, with limited rear-seat legroom and challenging entry and exit due to its low stance. Interior storage was limited, with cupholders blocking the wireless phone charger.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 featured a new 33-inch panoramic display with three screens, including a trip computer panel, digital instrumentation, and a wide infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-in technology. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium audio system. The CT5 also included a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and Teen Driver technology, providing a comprehensive suite of tech features.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon came with a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an optional 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen with the MBUX Superscreen package. The MBUX system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Burmester 4D surround-sound system. The natural-language digital voice assistant performed well, although it struggled with specific requests. The Pinnacle Trim package added gesture controls, but they were less effective than traditional knobs and buttons.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 was equipped with a comprehensive set of driving assistance systems, including a surround-view camera system and active blind-spot monitoring. The standout feature 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.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of safety features, including high beam assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. In Canada, additional premium driver assist features were standard. The E-Class also included Pre-Safe collision preparation technology and an SOS emergency call service. The safety systems operated smoothly and transparently, providing a refined driving experience. However, safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of writing.