Compare the2022 Cadillac CT4-VVS 2021 Volkswagen GTI

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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Both the CT4-V and GTI 4dr have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The CT4-V has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The GTI’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CT4-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GTI doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Cadillac CT4-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The CT4-V’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The GTI doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The CT4-V offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GTI doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The CT4-V (except Blackwing) offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The GTI only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the CT4-V and the GTI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Cadillac CT4-V weighs 406 to 767 pounds more than the Volkswagen GTI. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the GTI. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GTI ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The CT4-V’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the GTI’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 37 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CT4-V’s warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the CT4-V is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the CT4-V’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GTI’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac 22nd in initial quality. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in reliability, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 3 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 97 more horsepower (325 vs. 228) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CT4-V Blackwing’s standard 3.6 turbo V6 produces 244 more horsepower (472 vs. 228) and 187 lbs.-ft. more torque (445 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac CT4-V (base engine) is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

	CT4-V	GTI
Zero to 30 MPH	1.6 sec	2.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	5.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	11.4 sec	14.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.2 sec	6.5 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.8 sec	2.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.6 sec	3.8 sec
Quarter Mile	13 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	106 MPH	100 MPH
Top Speed	164 MPH	126 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT4-V’s fuel efficiency. The GTI doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the CT4-V and the GTI Automatic have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All CT4-Vs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CT4-V has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the GTI (17 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT4-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GTI doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Cadillac CT4-V comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GTI.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT4-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the GTI.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the CT4-V has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The GTI doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CT4-V Blackwing’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GTI:

	CT4-V Blackwing	GTI
Front Rotors	15 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	12.2 inches

The CT4-V stops much shorter than the GTI:

	CT4-V	GTI
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	163 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CT4-V has larger standard tires than the GTI (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R18). The CT4-V Blackwing’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GTI (F:255/35R18 & R:275/35R18 vs. 225/40R18).

The CT4-V’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GTI’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CT4-V offers optional 19-inch wheels. The GTI’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The CT4-V has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The GTI doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CT4-V can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GTI doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT4-V’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the GTI (109.3 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CT4-V is 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GTI.

The CT4-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.3% to 47.7%) than the GTI’s (60.4% to 39.6%). This gives the CT4-V more stable handling and braking.

The CT4-V handles at .94 G’s, while the GTI pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CT4-V executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GTI (25.4 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.1 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CT4-V is quieter than the GTI:

	CT4-V	GTI
At idle	42 dB	52 dB
Full-Throttle	79 dB	81 dB

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CT4-V. The GTI doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The CT4-V has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The GTI has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CT4-V is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GTI. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 60% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The CT4-V Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GTI doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the CT4-V, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The GTI doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CT4-V’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GTI doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CT4-V’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GTI does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT4-V offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GTI doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CT4-V’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GTI has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

On a hot day the CT4-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GTI can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CT4-V has standard extendable sun visors. The GTI doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the CT4-V is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The GTI’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CT4-V’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GTI offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CT4-V keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GTI doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CT4-V’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The GTI doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CT4-V offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GTI.

The CT4-V has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the GTI Autobahn.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac CT4-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GTI doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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