Compare the2023 Cadillac CT5-VVS 2023 Acura TLX

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

Safety

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The CT5-V Blackwing’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The TLX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The TLX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT5-V (except Blackwing Manual) has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CT5-V has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the TLX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CT5-V has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Acura charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Monitor on the TLX.

Both the CT5-V and the TLX 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and 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 Cadillac CT5-V is safer than the Acura TLX:

	CT5-V	TLX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	5 lbs.	27 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	340	358
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	25%	32%
Neck Stress	144 lbs.	186 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	93/36 lbs.	416/473 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 Cadillac CT5-V is safer than the Acura TLX:

	CT5-V	TLX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	233 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	93	181
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	240	464

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

Warranty

The CT5-V’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the TLX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5-V’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CT5-V’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

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 Acura 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, Acura is rated below average.

Engine

The CT5-V’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 88 more horsepower (360 vs. 272) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 280) than the TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CT5-V’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 5 more horsepower (360 vs. 355) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 354) than the TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6. The CT5-V Blackwing’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 313 more horsepower (668 vs. 355) and 305 lbs.-ft. more torque (659 vs. 354) than the TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac CT5-V is faster than the Acura TLX (automatics tested):

	CT5-V turbo V6	CT5-V Blackwing	TLX turbo 4 cyl.	TLX Type S
Zero to 60 MPH	4.9 sec	3.5 sec	7 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	13.3 sec	11.4 sec	15.4 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	106 MPH	128 MPH	91.5 MPH	101.8 MPH

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing was clocked 17.3 seconds faster than the Acura TLX Type S (169.4 sec. vs. 186.7 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CT5-V 3.0 turbo V6 Auto AWD gets better fuel mileage than the TLX Type S Perf. Tire (18 city/26 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

The CT5-V has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (17.5 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The CT5-V offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The TLX doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The CT5-V’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 TLX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CT5-V’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the TLX:

	CT5-V	CT5-V Blackwing	TLX	TLX Type S
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	15.7 inches	13 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	14.7 inches	13 inches	13 inches

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

The CT5-V stops much shorter than the TLX:

	CT5-V	TLX
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CT5-V has larger standard tires than the TLX (245/40R19 vs. 235/50R18). The CT5-V Blackwing’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TLX (F:275/35R19 & R:305/30R19 vs. 255/35R20).

The CT5-V’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the TLX’s standard 50 series tires. The CT5-V Blackwing’s 305/30R19 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the TLX Type S’ 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CT5-V has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the TLX.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CT5-V can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The TLX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT5-V’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the TLX (116 inches vs. 113 inches).

The CT5-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.9% to 47.1%) than the TLX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the CT5-V more stable handling and braking.

The CT5-V Blackwing handles at 1.02 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CT5-V executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD (24.9 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CT5-V’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the TLX’s (39 feet vs. 40.1 feet).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CT5-V is quieter than the TLX Type S:

	CT5-V	TLX
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	71 dB

Passenger Space

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

The CT5-V has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (99 vs. 93.4).

The CT5-V has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CT5-V’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The TLX doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CT5-V is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TLX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 9% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

Ergonomics

The CT5-V’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 TLX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the CT5-V and the TLX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CT5-V is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The TLX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The CT5-V’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 TLX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CT5-V offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The TLX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CT5-V’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The CT5-V offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the TLX.

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

The CT5-V (except Manual)’s optional Automatic Parking Assist with Braking can parallel park by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The TLX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its February 2022 issue and they ranked the Cadillac CT5-V first. They ranked the Acura TLX Type S third.

The CT5-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 2022. The TLX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Acura TLX by 38% during 2022.

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