10 Cadillac CTS Competitors to Consider

2018 Cadillac CTS ・ Photo by Cadillac

Here are 10 Cadillac CTS competitors to consider, because it’s always good to know what’s around. We’re assuming a luxurious yet engaging midsize sedan is required. Good call. This class contains some of the best vehicles answering to any description.

The 2019 Cadillac CTS starts at around $48,000. That buys a rear-drive version with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developing a gutsy 268 hp. There’s also a 3.6-liter V6 bringing 335 hp, which is a popular choice. Higher up the fuel chain comes a 420-hp twin-turbocharged V6 and a 640-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8, but these two are somewhat specialized and far more expensive. Dive into our list of reasonable yet still wonderful alternatives.

2018 Acura RLX

While the CTS comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration as standard, the RLX can’t even put it on the options list (which is about the only gripe about this excellent sedan). The RLX range includes the 377-hp Sport Hybrid (around $63,000) that would compete against the V6 version of the CTS, incorporating all-wheel drive yet achieving an average of 28 mpg.

Although the Cadillac has some of the best handling talents in this class, the RLX Sport Hybrid has incredible front-end grip. The whole range enjoys a lot of standard equipment for the price, plus the high build quality and confident reliability that are hallmarks of premium vehicles from Japan.

Photo by Acura

2019 Audi A6

This generation of the Audi A6 is all-new for the 2019 model year. Admittedly, it starts at almost $60,000, but it represents a whole new wave of premium midsize sedan with levels of technology previously unavailable in the class. And Audi is importing a high-level model into the United States first, so anyone wanting a turbocharged four will have to wait a bit.

This is a competitor to the 335-hp, V6-powered CTS in the same price range. Coincidentally, the new A6 also has a 335-hp turbo V6, but comes with all-wheel drive and emergency braking as standard. The CTS offers the former as an option but only supplies the latter in V-Sport (with the hotter V6) and Premium Luxury versions.

Photo by Audi

2019 BMW 5 Series

The entry-level turbo four-cylinder engine of the BMW 5 Series gives away 20 horses to the base CTS, but if any car can eclipse the Cadillac’s dynamic talents, it’s the 5 Series. Over several generations, this has been the class benchmark. The latest model debuted for the 2017 model year, so the technology is still fresh.

For 2019, the 5 Series gains forward collision mitigation with emergency braking and blind spot monitoring as standard (the CTS also has the latter feature). In the six-cylinder stakes, the 540i has a turbocharged inline configuration making 335 hp. However, it’s as a complete package where the 5 Series really shines, with plenty of comfort and cachet to complete the overall rosy (if pricey: from $54,395) picture.

Photo by BMW

2019 Genesis G80

At a starting price well below the CTS (around $43,000 for the 2018 model), the Genesis G80 comes with a whole plethora of standard equipment, including many advanced safety features, three years of free scheduled maintenance/satellite radio/roadside assistance, and a five-year/60,000-mile warranty.

The G80 is incredibly roomy, almost big enough to rank as a full-size luxury sedan (although the CTS has a couple more inches of rear legroom: 37.5 against 35), while the base engine is a 311-hp V6. The 365-hp 3.3T Sport model is an intriguing alternative to the V6-powered CTS, and comes with things like ventilated front seats and a fabulous-sounding Lexicon audio system.

Photo by Genesis

2019 Infiniti Q70/Q70L

The Infiniti Q70 is one of the few premium midsize sedans to offer a long-wheelbase version, for a lavish 41.8 inches of rear legroom. Its standard engine is a 330-hp 3.7-liter V6, making the car’s starting price of approximately $52,000 easier to take. The Q70 can’t quite match the handling abilities of the CTS, but many buyers might prefer the unflustered ride quality.

From a safety perspective, the Q70’s forward collision system “sees” up to two vehicles ahead. It also has a handy automatic braking feature for the other direction, when the car is reversing and the driver may not be aware of a hazard coming up.

Photo by Infiniti

2018 Jaguar XF

Among the 10 Cadillac CTS competitors to consider, the Jaguar XF represents a markedly different approach in terms of styling. Whereas the CTS is predominantly angular, the Jaguar has sweeping lines that convey what it’s like to drive - that is, smooth yet finely controlled.

For the full Jaguar effect, though, skip over the base 247-hp four-cylinder engine and go for the 296-hp turbo four, or (preferably — and if the budget allows) the wonderful 380-hp supercharged V6 in S trim. The XF is such a pleasure to drive. And if anyone was pondering a wagon alternative to the CTS, the arguably handsome XF Sportbrake S with that superb V6 starts at $71,445. Serious money, but it will definitely stand out.

Photo by Jaguar

2019 Lexus GS

Because there are several members of this midsize premium sedan class with absolutely wonderful dynamics and ride qualities, Lexus was obliged to go beyond its usual “nice, but not quite involving enough” chassis-tuning methods and really come up with something special for the GS. It worked.

This Lexus can stand wheel-to-wheel with the most enthusiast-oriented rivals, yet it’s also luxurious and well-equipped for the money, while enjoying strong residual values. The entry level GS 300 has a 241-hp turbo four, while the GS 350 has an ultra-refined 311-hp V6. Neither of these engines match the CTS equivalent, but it’s worth test-driving a GS during the selection process. And the starting price of $47,635 is tempting.

Photo by Lexus

2019 Lincoln MKZ

Don’t click over to the next car just yet. Like the CTS, this is luxury motoring from an American marque. But unlike the CTS, the Lincoln MKZ starts out below $40,000. Yet there’s still a lot of premium-level standard equipment, like an adaptive suspension, active noise cancellation, and an array of advanced driver assistance features.

The MKZ tends to favor comfort over sportiness, but the range also includes a 400-hp V6 option and all-wheel drive. Or there’s a hybrid version that comes at the same starting price as the regular gasoline model. Here is modern luxury at reasonable prices. And the new look of the MKZ, introduced for 2018, falls in line with that of the Lincoln Continental flagship sedan.

Photo by Lincoln

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Spending around $54,495 for a 241-hp Mercedes-Benz E 300 doesn’t seem as attractive as an entry level CTS, despite the E-Class coming with a huge 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and some pretty sophisticated safety systems. However, the new-for-2019 E 450 4Matic enjoys 362 hp from its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and comes with all-wheel drive as part of the $60,945 outlay.

We would still advise test-driving the E 300, though, because the facts and figures only tell a fraction of the story. There’s the quality of the cabin materials, the refined yet precise and stable ride quality, plus many ergonomic touches that serve as constant reminders that a squad of super-talented engineers worked on this fresh (launched in 2017) generation.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2018 Volvo S90

One of 10 Cadillac CTS competitors to consider, or a rival for the larger Cadillac CT6, the Volvo S90 has 40.4 inches of rear legroom, but otherwise falls somewhere between midsize and fullsize. Price-wise (starting at around $50,000) and power-wise, it’s more in the midsize camp.

The S90 is Volvo’s flagship sedan, though, with all the luxury, equipment and attention to detail that such a title demands. It doesn’t enjoy a truly sporting chassis, but let’s work on the premise that someone interested in buying a CTS is looking beyond the usual German contenders in search of something more individual. The S90’s main attractions are looks (inside and out), quality, comfort, and many safety features.

Photo by Volvo