Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Cadillac CT5

The Charger 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.

Both the Charger and the CT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Cadillac CT5:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

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 Charger’s reliability 48 points higher than the CT5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Cadillac is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 11 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the CT5:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Cadillac CT5 turbo V6:

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Cadillac CT5 2.0:

On the EPA test cycle the Charger gets better mileage than the CT5:

The Charger has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CT5 (18.5 vs. 17.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Charger Scat Pack’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 Charger Daytona/Widebody’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CT5:

The Charger stops much shorter than the CT5:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CT5 (305/35R20 vs. 255/35R20).

The Charger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T/Scat Pack) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CT5; it requires you to depend on its optional 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the CT5 (120 inches vs. 116 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CT5.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the CT5 Premium Luxury pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CT5 Sport (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the CT5’s (37.5 feet vs. 39 feet). The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the CT5 AWD’s (39 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the CT5 is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CT5 (104.7 vs. 99).

The Charger has 2.5 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT5.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the CT5 (16.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Charger uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CT5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Charger to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CT5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The Charger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger will retain 51.11% to 58.82% of its original price after five years, while the CT5 only retains 41.65% to 41.68%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Charger, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac CT5 isn't recommended.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Cadillac CT5 by almost seven to one during the 2021 model year.