Compare the2024 Cadillac CT5VS 2022 Toyota Avalon

The CT5 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Avalon doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the CT5 and the Avalon 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 Cadillac CT5 is safer than the Toyota Avalon:

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 is safer than the Toyota Avalon:

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

The CT5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Avalon’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Avalon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Avalon ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

The battery on the CT5 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the CT5’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Avalon’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CT5 second among midsize premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Avalon isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

The CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 34 more horsepower (335 vs. 301) and 138 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 267) than the Avalon’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac CT5 turbo V6 is faster than the Toyota Avalon:

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5’s fuel efficiency. The Avalon doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CT5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Avalon doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CT5 has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (17.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CT5 has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s standard fuel tank (17.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).

The CT5 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 Avalon doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Avalon.

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

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

The CT5 stops shorter than the Avalon:

For better traction, the CT5 has larger standard tires than the Avalon (245/45R18 vs. 215/55R17). The CT5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Avalon (255/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The CT5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Avalon XLE’s standard 55 series tires. The CT5’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Avalon Touring’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CT5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Avalon XLE. The CT5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Avalon Touring.

The CT5 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 Avalon doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the CT5 can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Avalon doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

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

The CT5 Sport handles at .88 G’s, while the Avalon Touring pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CT5 Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Avalon Touring (26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The front grille of the CT5 (except Premium Luxury/Sport) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Avalon doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CT5 has 1.6 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front legroom than the Avalon.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CT5. The Avalon doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

The CT5 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Avalon has no towing capacity.

The engine in the CT5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Avalon. 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 Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

The CT5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Avalon doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The CT5’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 Avalon does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Avalon’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Avalon.

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

The CT5 Premium Luxury/Sport’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 Avalon doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Toyota Avalon by 30% during 2022.