Compare the2023 Nissan MaximaVS 2023 Cadillac CT5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Maxima 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.

The Maxima’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 CT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Maxima and the CT5 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, 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 around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Maxima is safer than the Cadillac CT5:

	Maxima	CT5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	359/238 lbs.	408/341 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	290	340
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	144 lbs.

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

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 Nissan Maxima is safer than the Cadillac CT5:

	Maxima	CT5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	129
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	57 G’s
Hip Force	349 lbs.	573 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	20 inches
Hip Force	480 lbs.	558 lbs.

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

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 Maxima its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT5 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

There are almost 2 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Maxima’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Maxima’s reliability 36 points higher than the CT5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 8 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 63 more horsepower (300 vs. 237) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 258) than the CT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Maxima is faster than the Cadillac CT5 turbo 4 cyl.:

	Maxima	CT5
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.5 MPH	91.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Maxima
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/30 hwy
CT5
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/26 hwy

Transmission

The Maxima has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CT5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Maxima’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the CT5 are solid, not vented.

The Maxima stops shorter than the CT5:

	Maxima	CT5
70 to 0 MPH	168 feet	169 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The Maxima offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare 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.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Maxima’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the CT5’s (38.1 feet vs. 39 feet). The Maxima’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the CT5 AWD’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

Chassis

The Maxima SR/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Maxima has .4 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more rear headroom than the CT5.

The front step up height for the Maxima is 1.5 inches lower than the CT5 (15.1” vs. 16.6”). The Maxima’s rear step up height is 2.2 inches lower than the CT5’s (15.5” vs. 17.7”).

Cargo Capacity

The Maxima has a much larger trunk than the CT5 (14.3 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Maxima offers cargo security. The CT5’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

Ergonomics

If the front windows are left open on the Maxima the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Maxima 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 CT5 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the Maxima Platinum to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT5 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Maxima has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT5. The Maxima Platinum also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT5.

Economic Advantages

The Maxima will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Maxima will retain 43.69% to 43.8% of its original price after five years, while the CT5 only retains 41.65% to 41.68%.

Recommendations

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

The Nissan Maxima outsold the Cadillac CT5 by 73% during 2021.