Cadillac CTS-V vs. Audi RS 4: Which Would You Choose?
By Rob
Editor-in-Chief
GM really stepped up to the plate with 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. I mean, come on, 550 hp!!! It seems to be aimed squarely at the BMW M5, but will be priced a lot lower--probably in the mid-$60k range. I had to look around a bit for a worthy challenger in that price range, and finally (with Sean's help) came up with the Audi RS 4. Now, the Audi only delivers 420 hp, but you get AWD and "German engineering." So, which would you choose, the Caddy or the Audi?
Oct 3, 2008 10:26:25 AM
caddillac f course, all audi`s are boring and ugly ones.
Millioniamax
May 5, 2008 1:55:26 PM
I'd have to agree with Ryan on the interior - see for yourself... check the compare photos at autos.msn.com between the 2008 RS4 and 2008 CTS, the CTS is the clear winner if you ask me... besides, all that extra horsepower on a car that was already neck and neck with the RS4 when it only had 400? No question if you ask me. CTS.
Ryan
May 5, 2008 9:40:32 AM
I've ridden in new A4s and the new CTS and I don't understand those who say that the Audi has a nicer interior... unless they're sipping some kool-aid. Not only is the switchgear in the Caddy at least as good, the design is lightyears ahead of the early 2000s (and conservative then) interior of the Audi. I LOVE Audi's but the sedan A4 platform is hardly anybody's benchmark anymore (accept maybe for the AWD). Finally, I wouldn't be so quick to write off the track performance of the CTS - AWD is never and automatic. I'd bet that the Audi is easier to drive on the track, but a skilled driver would run circles around the RS4. And don't get me started on reliability. CTS-V for me.
Haudit
May 4, 2008 8:41:16 AM
I'd take the Audi. It might be slower and more expensive, but it's got the security of AWD, and a far nicer, higher quality interior than GM could ever manage to put into the CTS. Also, I prefer the Audi's more low key looks - the CTS-V is just a little bit too showy, vulgar and "new money" for my liking.
Btw, this isn't a remotely fair match-up - 414bhp 4.2V8 vs 550bhp 6.2V8 has the numbers stacked waaaaaaaaay in the Caddy's favour. Try pitting the 550bhp CTS-V against the 573bhp Audi RS6 on a track and see which is victorious - the Audi, no shadow of a doubt.
fred jones
May 3, 2008 1:31:50 AM
Who cares, have fun or take the bus, Speed = Ticket ! = fact.
If caught will = accident = maybe death= foolish, Slow down Maybe gas prices will go down. :)
fred jones
May 3, 2008 1:30:56 AM
Who cares, have fun or take the bus, Speed = Ticket ! = fact.
If caught will = accident = maybe death= foolish Slow down Maybe gap prices will go down. :)
FKL
May 3, 2008 1:02:53 AM
Audi is the better car of the two. Just the fact that Caddy BENCHMARKED their car on German designs speaks volumes...Germans innovate, Japanese/Domestic imitate.
JETSOLVER
May 2, 2008 7:46:45 PM
Having owned an SVT COBRA, and wanting the domestics to do what they do in a new way, and now owning a Cayman, I find the CTS-V on my radar, not so much for what it can't do, but for what it represents. The audi interior has been a strong point for a decade, but I still need that RWD thrill to make the day to day burn interesting. If I want total confidence, I would ride the bus. Oh, wait, to work in town, I do.
Vincenzo
May 2, 2008 3:35:38 PM
The Audi all the way Cadillac sucks and wish they built nice cars. German engineering that can go 400,000 kms(250,000 miles) when an American car can do pull this off with every single car then I might consider a GM or Chevy but until then imports forever!
TEP
May 2, 2008 3:27:06 PM
Please watch this video of a apples to apples comparison although it is not the 2009 CTS-V
http://www.gtchannel.com/content.php?cid=4549
TEP
May 2, 2008 3:20:52 PM
Dear Brainless Cadillac Blowhards:
Duh - "caddy" "caddy".
You make me want to punch myself in the face and vomit.
It is the RS4 all the way, as you get more car for your money and it won't breakdown in 1 year. I can't count the ways it destroys the "over the hill" old man hot rod/garbage sedan that is now marketed towards women. That car is so confused on what it is trying to be it is no wonder you are choosing it. If the world was a dry staight line I would love the "caddy" (man that reminds me of some grandpa)
God I hate the "hey man - Detroit rules - Euro cars suck". That pretty much tells me you never graduated high school and you own a piece of shit and despite being a "car guy" you didn't do well in auto shop.
The CTS is a nice car and powerful, it has my respect but pound for pound it is the RS4. Simply more car for the money.
It is like comparing a running back with a pentathlete (if you hillbillies know what one is).
If somebody spilled a cup of water on the street the CTS would fly off the road.
NYCspeed
May 2, 2008 2:59:19 PM
I love the fact that many US automakers have historically referred to interior finish as the "Audi benchmark". The Cadillac brand has come a long way and the new CTS is proof of that. BUT- it's going to take a few solid years of delivering a quality product for GM to boast about "beating Audi" or BMW or Mercedes for that matter. Caddy's V line has a long way to go on many levels. Be real- GM just posted BILLIONS in losses this week. They're on a decent path- but far from "winning" anything.
Val
May 2, 2008 1:46:05 PM
For some arguements below from what i heard the regular CTS' use a 5 series bmw transmission. And as i stated previously i think both cars are equally great, im just lacking understanding of people that beat on each other lol its ur opinion you cant state it nicely then keep it to yourself.
Val
May 2, 2008 1:44:52 PM
For some arguements below from what i heard the regular CTS' use a 5 series bmw transmission. And as i stated previously i think both cars are equally great, im just lacking understanding of people that beat on each other lol its ur opinion you cant state it nicely then keep it to yourself.
jeffy
May 2, 2008 1:21:16 PM
Audi RS4, it's tight, the caddy looks nice 'swell, now a Mercedes E55 V8 supercharged now that's a car
dick
May 2, 2008 12:47:53 PM
CTS-V... because europeans suck
matt
May 2, 2008 12:31:36 PM
to the person who tried to insult me by stating "its just pure facts" but then did not want to use a name, did you know that the "pure facts" are that the caddy was was developed, tuned, and test driven in Germany?
Jordan
May 2, 2008 12:06:59 PM
caddy
May 2, 2008 11:46:27 AM
The CTS-V is deffenlty the way I would go. It's goin to be cheaper than the RS4, prices are starting around 50k compared to 66k. Why would you waste that much money for less performance and just as nice interior as the caddy? Looks likes the european engineers are starting to slip on their cars.
May 2, 2008 11:09:02 AM
*when I said "On the track, the CTS-V probably would..." in the comment below, I meant "On the drag"
Laine
May 2, 2008 10:45:47 AM
Ok, first off, you have to differentiate whether you would want the CTS-V in a drag, or on the track. Hands down the RS4 would beat the Caddy on the track, I mean, really? Audi has one of the if not the best AWD systems available to date. On the track, the CTS-V probably would beat it with that large increase in power, however, one thing to take into account is if those extra horses really helped based on the gearing, suspension, etc. It may just mean more tire spinning power, which will not help it off the line, just hurt. However, figuring that the Caddy mechs took all this into account, they did make a faster drag car than the RS4, and others for that matter, so I think the CTS-V would win a drag. Another thing to keep in mind--it all comes down to the driver--a good driver will beat a crappy one in either car, anyday. If you suck at driving, and the other guy is good, then it doesn't matter whether he is in the RS4, and you in the Caddy, or vice versa. So go learn to drive if you can't already.
May 2, 2008 9:17:01 AM
AUDI RS4 all the dam way...not only you gettin power but a dam nice interior too...No american car can even match up close with a German engineered car...in and out...its just pure facts...screw the caddy...GM can keep their piece of junk
matt
May 2, 2008 8:48:17 AM
anyone who says that caddy is any kind of joke (especially to that audi) is an idiot. just based on pure specs i would take the caddy. the old cts-v with 400 horses had a 4.6 0-60 time. thats .2 seconds faster than the 4.8 second 0-60 of the 420hp audi. the audi hasnt changed and now the caddy has added another 150 horses! this isnt rocket science. its the facts.
do some research and know what you are talking about before you go running your mouth on nothing but reputation.
db
May 2, 2008 8:03:45 AM
im gonna have to go with the rs4 after driving an s4 everyday, plus its smaller than the cts-v and i dislike driving larger cars
7urtle
May 2, 2008 12:40:04 AM
audi .
not just because i dont like them.ridden in audi they are fast.