Compare the2022 BMW 3 Series SedanVS 2021 Cadillac CT5

The 3 Series Sedan has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CT5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 3 Series Sedan has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CT5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CT5 and is only available on CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport.

The 3 Series Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the CT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 3 Series Sedan the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 121 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT5 has not been tested, yet.

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the CT5’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the CT5.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 3 Series Sedan’s reliability 34 points higher than the CT5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The 330i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (255 vs. 237) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 258) than the CT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M340i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (382 vs. 335) than the CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the 330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Cadillac CT5 turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better mileage than the CT5:

Regenerative brakes improve the 3 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 3 Series Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CT5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 3 Series Sedan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CT5:

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the CT5 are solid, not vented.

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the CT5:

The 3 Series Sedan’s optional 255/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CT5’s optional 35 series tires.

The 330i handles at .99 G’s, while the CT5 Premium Luxury pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M340i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the CT5 Sport (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 3 Series Sedan’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the CT5’s (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet). The 3 Series Sedan xDrive’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the CT5 AWD’s (39.2 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The 3 Series Sedan is 8.1 inches shorter than the CT5, making the 3 Series Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the 3 Series Sedan is .1 inches lower than the CT5 (16.5” vs. 16.6”). The 3 Series Sedan’s rear step up height is 1.4 inches lower than the CT5’s (16.3” vs. 17.7”).

The 3 Series Sedan has a much larger trunk than the CT5 (13 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 3 Series Sedan easier. The 3 Series Sedan’s trunk lift-over height is 26.7 inches, while the CT5’s liftover is 27.8 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 3 Series Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CT5 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 3 Series offers cargo security. The CT5’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 3 Series Sedan offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CT5 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

If the windows are left open on the 3 Series Sedan the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 3 Series Sedan has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. A locking fuel door is only offered on the CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport and it still costs extra.

The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 3 Series Sedan’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the CT5 offer optional heated front seats. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT5.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac CT5 isn't recommended.