Compare the2024 Cadillac CT5-VVS 2023 BMW M5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac CT5-V are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 M5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the CT5-V and the M5 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 CT5-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the M5 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 CT5-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 CT5-V Blackwing’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 51 more horsepower (668 vs. 617) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (659 vs. 553) than the M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

On the EPA test cycle the CT5-V gets better mileage than the M5:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5-V’s fuel efficiency. The M5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT5-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 M5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CT5-V offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The M5 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the M5.

The CT5-V Blackwing’s 305/30R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M5’s optional 35 series tires.

The CT5-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 M5 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 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 M5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CT5-V Blackwing handles at 1.02 G’s, while the M5 Competition pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CT5-V’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the M5’s (39 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CT5-V is quieter than the M5 Competition:

The CT5-V has 1 inch more front legroom and 1.4 inches more rear legroom than the M5.

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 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 M5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CT5-V has standard extendable sun visors. The M5 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The CT5-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The M5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the CT5-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT5-V will cost $140 to $5785 less than the M5 over a five-year period.

The CT5-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CT5-V will retain 50.43% to 56.36% of its original price after five years, while the M5 only retains 47.18%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac CT5-V will be $18830 to $56137 less than for the BMW M5.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its November 2021 issue and they ranked the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing first. They ranked the BMW M5 Competition third.

The CT5-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 2022. The M5 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.