Compare the2024 BMW M8VS 2024 Cadillac CT5-V

The M8 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-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 M8. But it costs extra on the CT5-V.

The M8’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-V doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M8 and the CT5-V 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The M8’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the CT5-V’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, 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-V.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the M8 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.2 supercharged V8 in the CT5-V.

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 M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 257 more horsepower (617 vs. 360) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 405) than the CT5-V’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M8 is faster than the Cadillac CT5-V (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the BMW M8 Coupe was clocked 8.6 seconds faster than the Cadillac CT5-V (175.5 sec. vs. 184.1 sec.).

Regenerative brakes improve the M8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT5-V doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The M8 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CT5-V (20.1 vs. 17.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the M8 has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The CT5-V doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the M8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CT5-V:

The M8 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The CT5-V doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M8 stops shorter than the CT5-V:

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the CT5-V (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

The M8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CT5-V’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the CT5-V.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the M8 is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CT5-V.

The M8 Gran Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the CT5-V pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M8 Competition Gran Coupe is quieter than the CT5-V Blackwing:

The M8 Gran Coupe has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear headroom than the CT5-V.

The M8 Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the CT5-V (15.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M8’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CT5-V doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe, convertible or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the M8 offers cargo security. The CT5-V’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the M8 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-V doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

If the windows are left open on the M8 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-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Laser headlights, standard on the M8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the CT5-V’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The CT5-V’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The M8’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.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the M8 Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT5-V doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The M8 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT5-V. The M8 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT5-V.

The M8 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 CT5-V.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Cadillac CT5-V isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.