Compare the2026 Cadillac CT5-VVS 2026 Dodge Charger

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac CT5-V are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Dodge Charger 2-Door doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the CT5-V and Charger have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CT5-V (except Manual) has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Charger’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CT5-V and the Charger 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all-wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

The CT5-V comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Charger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT5-V 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Dodge covers the Charger. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Charger ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The CT5-V’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Charger’s (6 vs. 5 years).

The CT5-V Blackwing’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (659 vs. 627) than the Charger Daytona Scat Pack’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the CT5-V Blackwing 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Charger Scat Pack 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the CT5-V gets better mileage than the Charger running its gasoline engine:

The CT5-V offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Charger doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT5-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Charger.

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 Charger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The CT5-V stops much shorter than the Charger:

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 Charger’s optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CT5-V can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Charger doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CT5-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.9% to 47.1%) than the Charger’s (55.4% to 44.6%). This gives the CT5-V more stable handling and braking.

The CT5-V Blackwing handles at 1.13 G’s, while the Charger Daytona Scat Pack Four-Door pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CT5-V Blackwing executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Charger Daytona Scat Pack Four-Door (22.6 seconds @ .95 average G’s vs. 24.6 seconds @ .84 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CT5-V’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Charger Six Pack’s (39 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Cadillac CT5-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1700 pounds less than the Dodge Charger.

The CT5-V is 1 foot shorter than the Charger, making the CT5-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CT5-V is 5.7 inches narrower than the Charger, making the CT5-V easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the CT5-V easier. The CT5-V’s trunk lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Charger’s liftover is 32.2 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CT5-V’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Charger doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CT5-V’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Charger.

The CT5-V’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Charger’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the CT5-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Charger can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CT5-V’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Charger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CT5-V offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Charger 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’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Charger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Cadillac CT5-V and Dodge Charger offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CT5-V offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Charger’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The CT5-V has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Charger.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac CT5-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Charger.

The CT5-V (except Manual)’s Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Charger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The CT5-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Charger 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 5 years. The Charger has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Dodge Charger by 73% during 2025.