Compare the2022 Cadillac CT5-VVS 2021 Mercedes AMG CLS

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 CT5-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Cadillac CT5-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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT5-V (except Manual) has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CT5-V’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 AMG CLS.

Both the CT5-V and the AMG CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG CLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG CLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The CT5-V’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the AMG CLS’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5-V’s warranty.

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac 22nd in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

The CT5-V’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The CT5-V Blackwing’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 239 more horsepower (668 vs. 429) and 275 lbs.-ft. more torque (659 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5-V’s fuel efficiency. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT5-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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CT5-V offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the AMG CLS.

The CT5-V’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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the CT5-V Blackwing’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLS:

For better traction, the CT5-V Blackwing’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG CLS (F:275/35R19 & R:305/30R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The CT5-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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Cadillac CT5-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLS.

The CT5-V is 5.3 inches shorter than the AMG CLS, making the CT5-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the CT5-V a Mid-size car, while the AMG CLS is rated a Compact.

The CT5-V has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLS (99 vs. 93).

The CT5-V has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and 2.9 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLS.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

The CT5-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 AMG CLS does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT5-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.