Compare the2024 Cadillac CT4VS 2024 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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Both the CT4 and Altima have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The CT4 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 Altima’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.

The CT4’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Altima doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the CT4 and the Altima 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.

Warranty

The CT4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Altima. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Altima ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The CT4’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Altima’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The battery on the CT4 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the CT4’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Altima’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CT4 second among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Altima 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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan 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 Nissan 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, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 1 place higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The CT4 has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower	Torque
CT4 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	237 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
CT4 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	182 HP	178 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	188 HP	180 lbs.-ft.
Altima SR 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	248 HP	273 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac CT4 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	CT4	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	7.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.2 sec	20.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.5 sec	8.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.5 sec	4.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.3 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	138 MPH	119 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac CT4 2.7 is faster than the Nissan Altima 2.5:

	CT4	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.3 MPH	90.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CT4’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 Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CT4 has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CT4 has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16.2 gallons).

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

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CT4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	CT4	CT4 Sport	Altima
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	12.6 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	12.4 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			11.5 inches

The CT4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Altima are solid, not vented.

The CT4 stops much shorter than the Altima:

	CT4	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CT4 has larger standard tires than the Altima (225/45R17 vs. 215/60R16).

The CT4 Luxury’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 Altima S’ standard 60 series tires. The CT4’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Altima SR/SL’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CT4 Luxury has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the CT4 can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Altima doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Chassis

The CT4 is 5.7 inches shorter than the Altima, making the CT4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the CT4’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Altima’s useful trunk space.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CT4. The Altima doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The CT4 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Altima has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CT4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Altima. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Altima doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Altima doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CT4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the CT4 and the Altima have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CT4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Altima prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The CT4’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the CT4’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Altima can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CT4’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key is only offered on the Altima SR/SV/SL, and doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The CT4’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 Altima’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Altima’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CT4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima S.

When the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Altima’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport/V-Series’ standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Altima offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Altima doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

The CT4 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Altima SL/SR VC-Turbo.

Both the CT4 and the Altima offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CT4 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Altima doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac CT4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Altima and isn’t available on the Altima S.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the CT4 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT4 will cost $425 less than the Altima over a five-year period.

The CT4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CT4 will retain 50.45% to 56.58% of its original price after five years, while the Altima only retains 41.69% to 47.34%.

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