Compare the2026 Cadillac CT5-VVS 2025 Audi S5

Both the CT5-V and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 driver alert monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 84 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 69 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The CT5-V Blackwing’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 306 more horsepower (668 vs. 362) and 253 lbs.-ft. more torque (659 vs. 406) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the CT5-V Blackwing 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Audi S5 (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5-V Blackwing’s fuel efficiency. The S5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT5-V has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (17.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT5-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 S5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S5.

For better stopping power the CT5-V Blackwing’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The CT5-V Blackwing offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The CT5-V stops shorter than the S5:

For better traction, the CT5-V Blackwing’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:285/35R19 & R:305/30R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The CT5-V Blackwing’s 305/30R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S5’s optional 35 series tires.

The CT5-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 S5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT5-V’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the S5 (116 inches vs. 114 inches).

The CT5-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.9% to 47.1%) than the S5’s (56% to 44%). This gives the CT5-V more stable handling and braking.

The CT5-V Blackwing handles at 1.13 G’s, while the S5 pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CT5-V Blackwing executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the S5 (22.6 seconds @ .95 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CT5-V’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the S5’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Cadillac CT5-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 300 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The CT5-V has 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the S5.

The CT5-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 S5 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CT5-V offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The S5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CT5-V also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The CT5-V has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the S5.

The CT5-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The CT5-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 3 more times in the last 4 years. The S5 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.