Compare the2026 Cadillac CT5VS 2026 Audi A6

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT5 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 A6 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the CT5 and the A6 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, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 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’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.

On the EPA test cycle the CT5 gets better mileage than the A6:

The CT5 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (17.4 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT5 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 A6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

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 A6 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the CT5’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the A6’s (39 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Cadillac CT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 650 pounds less than the Audi A6.

The CT5 is 3 inches shorter than the A6, 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 A6 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CT5 has 1.1 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6.

The CT5 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The A6 has no towing capacity.

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 A6 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The CT5 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 A6.

The CT5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Cadillac CT5 retains 53.96% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 39.09% resale value of the 2026 Audi A6 after five years, which can save the Cadillac’s owner up to $13016 in depreciation.

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

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by 53% during 2025.