Compare the2023 Cadillac CT5VS 2023 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

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 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 4 Series Gran Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the CT5 and the 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 and available all wheel drive.

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

There are over 60 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5’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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

The CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 368) than the M440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5’s fuel efficiency. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT5 has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (17.5 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT5 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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

For better traction, the CT5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Gran Coupe (255/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

The CT5’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CT5 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The CT5 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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT5’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the 4 Series Gran Coupe (116 inches vs. 112.4 inches).

The front grille of the CT5 (except Premium Luxury/Sport) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the CT5 a Mid-size car, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe is rated a Compact.

The CT5 has 8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (99 vs. 91).

The CT5 has .4 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CT5’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 4 Series Gran Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac CT5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Insurance will cost less for the CT5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT5 will cost $90 to $3515 less than the 4 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac CT5 will be $5341 to $10006 less than for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the BMW 4 Series by 55% during 2020.