Compare the2023 Cadillac CT5-V VS 2022 Audi S6

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 S6 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT5-V (except Blackwing Manual) has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S6 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CT5-V has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S6’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CT5-V has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S6.

Both the CT5-V and the S6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S6 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 84 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 76 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The CT5-V Blackwing’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 224 more horsepower (668 vs. 444) and 216 lbs.-ft. more torque (659 vs. 443) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5-V’s fuel efficiency. The S6 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 S6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CT5-V offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S6 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 an eight-speed automatic is available for the S6.

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 S6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the CT5-V Blackwing’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S6 (F:275/35R19 & R:305/30R19 vs. 255/35R21).

The CT5-V Blackwing’s 305/30R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S6’s 35 series tires.

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 S6 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 CT5-V can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S6 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better maneuverability, the CT5-V’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the S6’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Cadillac CT5-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Audi S6.

The CT5-V has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the S6.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The CT5-V (except Blackwing Manual) 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 S6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The CT5-V (except Manual)’s optional Automatic Parking Assist with Braking can parallel park by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The S6 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The CT5-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The CT5-V Blackwing was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The S6 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by 15% during the 2021 model year.