Compare the2025 Cadillac CT5VS 2024 Volvo S90

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 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S90 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Cadillac CT5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The S90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the CT5 and the S90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5’s warranty.

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 CT5’s reliability 15 points higher than the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 9 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 40 more horsepower (335 vs. 295) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 310) than the S90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac CT5 turbo V6 is faster than the S90 B6:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5’s fuel efficiency. The S90 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the CT5 and the S90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CT5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S90 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The CT5 has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 S90.

The CT5 stops shorter than the S90:

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 S90 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 S90 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The front and rear suspension of the CT5 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Cadillac CT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 850 pounds less than the Volvo S90.

The CT5 is 6.3 inches shorter than the S90, making the CT5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the CT5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CT5 has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S90.

The CT5’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S90 Luxury Package doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The CT5 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The S90 has no towing capacity.

The engine in the CT5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the CT5 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, air filter replacement, and brake pad replacement, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 34% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The CT5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry 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 S90 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 has standard extendable sun visors. The S90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The CT5’s Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The S90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The CT5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the CT5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT5 will cost $3340 to $6050 less than the S90 over a five-year period.

The CT5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CT5 will retain 49.33% to 50.43% of its original price after five years, while the S90 only retains 37.25% to 38.76%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac CT5 will be $23256 to $23681 less than for the Volvo S90.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac CT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S90 isn't recommended.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over 9 to one during 2023.