Compare the2024 Cadillac CT4-VVS 2023 BMW M3

Both the CT4-V and M3 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The CT4-V has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The M3’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 CT4-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The M3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the CT4-V and the M3 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.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the M3 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 CT4-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 22 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 CT4-V Blackwing’s standard 3.6 turbo V6 produces 39 lbs.-ft. more torque (445 vs. 406) than the M3’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CT4-V gets better mileage than the M3:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT4-V’s fuel efficiency. The M3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT4-V has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the M3 (17.4 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT4-V 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 M3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Cadillac CT4-V comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M3.

The CT4-V stops shorter than the M3:

The CT4-V 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 M3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CT4-V can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better maneuverability, the CT4-V’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the M3’s (37.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The CT4-V Blackwing’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the M3’s (38.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Cadillac CT4-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the BMW M3.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CT4-V is quieter than the M3 Competition:

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 CT4-V’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CT4-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 M3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT4-V offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the M3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac CT4-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the M3.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac CT4-V will be $11872 to $27888 less than for the BMW M3.

The CT4-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 2022. The M3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.