Compare the2024 BMW 5 SeriesVS 2024 Cadillac CT5

The 5 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CT5 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 5 Series and CT5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the 5 Series has Brake Intervention (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CT5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The 5 Series’ 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 5 Series 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, 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.

The 5 Series’ corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the CT5’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the CT5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 17th.

The 530i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 18 more horsepower (255 vs. 237) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 540i xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (375 vs. 335) than the CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series gets better mileage than the CT5:

Regenerative brakes improve the 5 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 5 Series uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CT5 with the 3.0 turbo V6 engine requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The 5 Series has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the CT5. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The 5 Series’ 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 CT5 doesn’t offer launch control.

The 5 Series’ 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 5 Series’ optional 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CT5’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 5 Series has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CT5. The 5 Series’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the CT5.

The 5 Series 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 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.

The 5 Series offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CT5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 5 Series offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Cadillac doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CT5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 5 Series’ wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the CT5 (117.9 inches vs. 116 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 5 Series is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the CT5.

The 5 Series has .1 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT5.

The 5 Series has a much larger trunk than the CT5 (18.4 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 5 Series offers cargo security. The CT5’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 5 Series has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CT5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport, the 5 Series has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

If the windows are left open on the 5 Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows 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 CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 5 Series’ optional 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.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the 5 Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT5 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the 5 Series and the CT5 offer optional heated front seats. The 5 Series also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT5.

The 5 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Cadillac CT5 by 31% during 2022.