Page 80 - Motor Trend (January 2020)

COTY I Contenders

Cadillac CT5

PRO Improved infotainment • Generous rear seat • Carbon-fiber trim
CON Overworked turbo-four • Uninspiring interior • Lackluster dynamics
he Cadillac CT5 sedan review in GM’s Shanghai studio,” especially when downshifting switchgear and plastics are
replaces both the CTS and MacKenzie said. Theodore had using the paddle shifters. pulled from the familiar GM parts
TATS—the former our 2014 similar thoughts, calling it a “skin “After the CTS and ATS, the bin and detract from any sort
Car of the Year winner and still blotch.” There are not a lot of chassis is a disappointment,” of premium feel. The responsive
a sport sedan we hold in high ways to spin that positively. MacKenzie said. “The CT5 doesn’t haptic touchscreen improves
regard. So this new Caddy has The CT5’s updated Alpha 2 feel as powerful or as alert, and Cadillac’s once-balky CUE info-
some big shoes to fill. Unfor- platform is still tossable, but the default handling mode is tainment system. The rear seat
tunately for Cadillac, the CT5 not like its predecessors. One mild understeer. You can get offers excellent legroom but is
comes up a few sizes too small. problem is the CT5’s suspension it to rotate, but it takes a lot of tight on headroom.
Although the Cadillac is tuning; it pushes at the limit, provocation.” Cortina summed up the CT5
handsome in front, most judges and the wimpy 237-hp 2.0-liter The interior is a mixed bag. best: “This is one of those cars
couldn’t get behind its bizarre turbocharged I-4 doesn’t make Some aspects, such as the that I can’t recommend to people
C-pillar graphic. correcting with throttle easy. At carbon-fiber trim with red shopping in this class. I just don’t
“It looks like it was stuck on at least its 10-speed automatic accents to match the stitching, see anything special or attractive
the last minute after a design transmission shifts smartly, are well executed. But other here.” Alex Nishimoto

SPECS 2020 Cadillac CT5 350T
Base Price/As Tested $37,890/$54,590
Power (SAE net) 237 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 7.1 sec
Quarter Mile 15.3 sec @ 91.9 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 114 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.88 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 26.2 sec @ 0.68 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Not yet rated

Vehicle Layout Front-engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Engine/Transmission 2.0L turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4/10-speed automatic Curb Weight
(F/R Dist) 3,693 lb (51/49%) Wheelbase 116.0 in Length x Width x Height 193.8 x 74.1 x 57.2 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy Not yet rated
CO2 Emissions, Comb Not yet rated

Kia K900

PRO Comfortable ride • Superbly crafted interior • Great value
CON Anonymous exterior • Leisurely transmission • Wallowy suspension

he 2019 Kia K900 surprised us remarkably planted. However, the
all. Despite the mainstream transmission’s leisurely down-
Tbadge on the hood, the K900 shifts indicate chauffeur tuning.
garnered praise as a proper full- Coddling passengers remains
size luxury sedan that’s strong in the K900’s mission statement. The 2019 Kia K900 is a huge Quibbles? Mundane exterior
value and premium fitments. Now Its drive mode selector even has bargain for a full-size luxury styling. Unlike its predecessor,
on a long-wheelbase version of a Comfort+ setting under the sedan, especially considering the 2019 K900’s conservative
the Kia Stinger and Genesis G70’s Individual option for the best its outstanding build quality. design flies under the radar,
rear-drive platform, the K900 ride. Not that you need it; the MacKenzie declared that even with details like the layered
proves it’s not a cheap copycat. standard setup is already super although the K900 is half the headlights and taillights. Looks
The K900 comes with a 365-hp comfortable. As a trade-off, price of a BMW 745e, it’s more aside, the K900 shows that Kia
3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 paired to however, the suspension wallows than half the vehicle. The quiet, can build a proper luxo-barge,
an eight-speed automatic. After over big bumps, the brake feel is spacious cabin drew plenty of with content the equivalent of
some initial turbo lag, the K900 a bit reedy, and the standard tires compliments—especially the something that costs much more.
accelerates effortlessly and stays chuff mightily when cornering. feature-laden rear seats. Stefan Ogbac

SPECS 2019 Kia K900 AWD
Base Price/As Tested $60,895/$64,895
Power (SAE net) 365 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 376 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 5.4 sec
Quarter Mile 13.9 sec @ 102.2 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 121 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.87 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 25.7 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 18/25/21 mpg

Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Engine/Transmission 3.3L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6/8-speed automatic Curb Weight
(F/R Dist) 4,716 lb (52/48%) Wheelbase 122.2 in Length x Width x Height 201.6 x 75.4 x 58.7 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 187/135 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 Emissions, Comb 0.94 lb/mile
80 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020