Compare the2023 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2023 Cadillac CT4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Arteon 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 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Arteon has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CT4 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.

Both the Arteon and the CT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Arteon the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 220 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT4 has not been tested, yet.

The Arteon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CT4’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Arteon for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the CT4.

There are over 13 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Arteon’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Arteon’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the CT4’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Arteon’s reliability 19 points higher than the CT4.

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 63 more horsepower (300 vs. 237) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CT4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Arteon gets better mileage than the CT4:

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

The Arteon offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CT4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Arteon’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4:

The Arteon stops shorter than the CT4:

For better traction, the Arteon has larger tires than the CT4 (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R17). The Arteon’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CT4 (245/45R18 vs. 235/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CT4 Luxury. The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the CT4.

The Arteon 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; 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 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Arteon has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The CT4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Arteon’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the CT4 (111.9 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Arteon is 2.2 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than on the CT4.

The Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the CT4 Premium Luxury AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Arteon a Large car, while the CT4 is rated a Compact.

The Arteon has 6.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CT4 (96.5 vs. 90).

The Arteon has 1.3 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 6.8 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4.

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

The Arteon’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CT4’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Arteon uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CT4 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Arteon’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’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Arteon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The CT4’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Arteon’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Arteon has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT4. The Arteon SEL Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT4.

The Arteon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CT4.

The Arteon SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Arteon, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac CT4 isn't recommended.