Compare the2024 Acura TLXVS 2024 Cadillac CT5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac CT5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The TLX’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 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the TLX and the CT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Cadillac CT5:

	TLX	CT5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	155
Neck Injury Risk	20%	24%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	217 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/267 lbs.	408/341 lbs.

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 Acura TLX is safer than the Cadillac CT5:

	TLX	CT5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	128	129
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	188 lbs.	209 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	57 G’s
Hip Force	539 lbs.	573 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	20 inches
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	35 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	558 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 129 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT5 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the TLX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura 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.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TLX’s reliability 25 points higher than the CT5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 16th.

Engine

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (272 vs. 237) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the CT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 20 more horsepower (355 vs. 335) than the CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Cadillac CT5 turbo 4 cyl.:

	TLX	CT5
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.2 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
TLX
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
CT5
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/26 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX 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 TLX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	TLX	TLX Type S	CT5	CT5 Sport
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.3 inches	12.6 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	12.4 inches	12.4 inches

The TLX stops shorter than the CT5:

	TLX	CT5
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	169 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	114 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the CT5 (255/35R20 vs. 245/45R18).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CT5.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the CT5.

The TLX Type S handles at .96 G’s, while the CT5 Premium Luxury pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the CT5 Sport (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

Chassis

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TLX has .1 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear hip room than the CT5.

Cargo Capacity

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the CT5 (13.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

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

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the TLX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or 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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $160 to $3175 less than the CT5 over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura TLX and the Cadillac CT5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the TLX second among midsize premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CT5 isn’t in the top three.

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