Compare the2022 Audi S5 SportbackVS 2022 Cadillac CT4-V

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi S5 Sportback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac CT4-V doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The S5 Sportback’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CT4-V doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S5 Sportback are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Cadillac CT4-V doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The S5 Sportback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CT4-V 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S5 Sportback. But it costs extra on the CT4-V.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CT4-V doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the S5 Sportback and the CT4-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 S5 Sportback the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT4-V has not been tested, yet.

The S5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the CT4-V’s (12 vs. 6 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 7 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 24 more horsepower (349 vs. 325) than the CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi S5 Sportback is faster than the Cadillac CT4-V 2.7 turbo (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the S5 Sportback gets better mileage than the CT4-V:

Regenerative brakes improve the S5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CT4-V requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the S5 Sportback’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4-V:

The S5 Sportback stops shorter than the CT4-V:

For better traction, the S5 Sportback has larger standard tires than the CT4-V (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The S5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CT4-V’s standard 40 series tires. The S5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the CT4-V’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CT4-V. The S5 Sportback’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the CT4-V.

The S5 Sportback has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CT4-V; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the CT4-V don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the CT4-V (111.2 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the S5 Sportback is 2.1 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CT4-V.

The S5 Sportback Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the CT4-V AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S5 Sportback Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CT4-V (25 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the S5 Sportback Prestige is quieter than the CT4-V (40 vs. 42 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S5 Sportback a Mid-size car, while the CT4-V is rated a Compact.

The S5 Sportback has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4-V.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S5 Sportback’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The S5 Sportback’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CT4-V’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the S5 Sportback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CT4-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The S5 Sportback 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. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CT4-V doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S5 Sportback has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CT4-V doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The S5 Sportback has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT4-V. The S5 Sportback Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT4-V.

The S5 Sportback Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CT4-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi S5 comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Cadillac CT4-V isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The S5 Sportback will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the S5 Sportback will retain 47.86% to 47.96% of its original price after five years, while the CT4-V only retains 39.65% to 39.66%.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Cadillac CT4 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.