Compare the2025 Cadillac CT5-VVS 2025 BMW M3

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 BMW M3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CT5-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The M3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the CT5-V and M3 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 M3’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CT5-V and the M3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 BMW covers the M3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the M3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 62 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5-V’s warranty.

The CT5-V has more powerful engines than the M3:

As tested in Car and Driver the CT5-V Blackwing 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the BMW M3 3.0 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the CT5-V Blackwing 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the M3 Competition (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing was clocked 4.1 seconds faster than the BMW M3 Competition xDrive (169.4 sec. vs. 173.5 sec.).

On the EPA test cycle the CT5-V gets better mileage than the M3:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5-V Blackwing’s fuel efficiency. The M3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT5-V has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the M3 (17.5 vs. 15.6 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 M3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Cadillac CT5-V comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M3.

The CT5-V stops shorter than the M3:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CT5-V has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch front wheels are standard on the M3. The CT5-V V6’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels optional on the M3.

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 M3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 M3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT5-V’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the M3 (116 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

The CT5-V Blackwing handles at 1.13 G’s, while the M3 Competition pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CT5-V Blackwing executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the M3 Competition (22.6 seconds @ .95 average G’s vs. 23.8 seconds @ .85 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CT5-V’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the M3’s (39 feet vs. 40 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CT5-V is quieter than the M3 Competition:

The CT5-V has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M3 (99 vs. 95).

The CT5-V has .8 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the M3.

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. The M3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 M3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 M3.

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 M3.

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 M3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.