Compare the2023 Volkswagen Golf RVS 2023 Cadillac CT4-V

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Golf R 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 its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Golf R 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 Golf R 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-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 Golf R. But it costs extra on the CT4-V.

The Golf R’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Golf R and the CT4-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras 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 standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Golf R its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT4-V has not been tested, yet.

The Golf R’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CT4-V’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Golf R 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-V.

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

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

As tested in Car and Driver the Golf R DSG is faster than the Cadillac CT4-V turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Golf R gets better mileage than the CT4-V:

Regardless of its engine, the Golf R’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CT4-V Blackwing doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

The Golf R offers an available 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-V doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Golf R’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4-V:

The Golf R stops shorter than the CT4-V:

The Golf R’s 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Golf R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CT4-V.

The Golf R 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.

The Golf R handles at .95 G’s, while the CT4-V AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Golf R executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CT4-V (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

The Volkswagen Golf R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Cadillac CT4-V.

The Golf R is 1 foot, 6.3 inches shorter than the CT4-V, making the Golf R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Golf R is quieter than the CT4-V (76 vs. 79 dB).

The Golf R has .2 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the CT4-V.

The front step up height for the Golf R is 1.4 inches lower than the CT4-V (15.1” vs. 16.5”). The Golf R’s rear step up height is 1.9 inches lower than the CT4-V’s (15.1” vs. 17”).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Golf R easier. The Golf R’s trunk lift-over height is 26.6 inches, while the CT4-V’s liftover is 30 inches.

The Golf R’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.

The Golf R 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 Golf R 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Golf R has a standard rear wiper. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The CT4-V’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Golf R’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 Golf R has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT4-V. The Golf R 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 Golf R 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-V.

The Golf R’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-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Motor Trend selected the Golf R as their 2015 Car of the Year. The CT4-V has never been chosen.

The Golf R was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The CT4-V has never been an “All Star.”

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Cadillac CT4 by 54% during the 2021 model year.