Compare the2025 Acura TLXVS 2025 Cadillac CT5-V

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-V doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Both the TLX and the CT5-V 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-V:

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-V:

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

The TLX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the CT5-V’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the TLX have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.2 supercharged V8 in the CT5-V.

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-V.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

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.

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

Regardless of its engine, the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CT5-V Blackwing doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CT5-V requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura TLX higher (4 to 6 out of 10) than the Cadillac CT5-V (2 to 4). This means the TLX produces up to 27.7 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CT5-V every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the CT5-V (255/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CT5-V.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the CT5-V pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Acura TLX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the Cadillac CT5-V.

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-V doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the TLX Type S is quieter than the CT5-V Blackwing (71 vs. 74 dB).

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-V.

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the CT5-V (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-V’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

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-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $4030 to $11315 less than the CT5-V over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura TLX will be $18163 to $35573 less than for the Cadillac CT5-V.

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