Compare the2025 Cadillac CT4-VVS 2024 Audi RS 3

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 CT4-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT4-V Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RS 3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The CT4-V (except Blackwing) offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RS 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The CT4-V has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the RS 3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CT4-V has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the RS 3.

Both the CT4-V and the RS 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the RS 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the RS 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 85 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT4-V’s warranty.

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 Audi vehicles. With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Audi.

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 Audi With 79 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 3 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder. The CT4-V Blackwing’s standard 3.6 turbo V6 produces 71 more horsepower (472 vs. 401) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (445 vs. 369) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT4-V’s fuel efficiency. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CT4-V (except Blackwing)’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 RS 3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CT4-V has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (17.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT4-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 RS 3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac CT4-V higher (4 to 5 out of 10) than the Audi RS 3 (3). This means the CT4-V produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RS 3 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT4-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the RS 3.

For better stopping power the CT4-V Blackwing’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 3:

The CT4-V stops much shorter than the RS 3:

The CT4-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 RS 3 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 CT4-V can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RS 3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT4-V’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the RS 3 (109.3 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CT4-V is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RS 3.

The CT4-V Blackwing handles at 1.01 G’s, while the RS 3 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CT4-V’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (37.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The CT4-V Blackwing’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (38.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the CT4-V a Compact car, while the RS 3 is rated a Subcompact.

The CT4-V has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 3 (90 vs. 87).

The CT4-V has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 3.

The CT4-V has a much larger trunk than the RS 3 (10.7 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

The engine in the CT4-V is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RS 3. 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 Audi. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 29% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The CT4-V Auto 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 RS 3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The CT4-V’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CT4-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 RS 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT4-V’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The RS 3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CT4-V keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The RS 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CT4-V’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CT4-V offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RS 3.

The CT4-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The CT4-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 2 more times in the last 3 years. The RS 3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.