Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Cadillac CT4

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Lexus ES’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Cadillac CT4 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the ES and CT4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the ES offers optional Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CT4’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The ES’ optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ES and the CT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 18th.

Engine

The ES 500e’s electric motors produces 28 more horsepower (338 vs. 310) than the CT4’s optional 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES running on electricity gets better mileage than the CT4:

			MPGe
ES
	FWD	19" Wheels Electric Motor	135 city/118 hwy
		21" Wheels Electric Motor	129 city/112 hwy
	AWD	500e 19" Wheels Electric Motors	119 city/108 hwy
		500e 21" Wheels Electric Motors	118 city/105 hwy
CT4
			MPG
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy

The ES can travel with zero emissions for 272 to 307 miles (dependent on model). The CT4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the ES’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CT4 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The ES 350h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the ES’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4:

	ES	CT4	CT4
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	12.4 inches	12.4 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES has larger tires than the CT4 (235/55R19 vs. 225/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CT4 Luxury. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the CT4.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the CT4 (116.1 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 5.3 inches wider in the front and 5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CT4.

Chassis

The ES uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CT4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The ES has 3.8 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 7.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear hip room than the CT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the ES 350e Luxury’s available rear seats recline. The CT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The ES has a much larger trunk than the CT4 (17.4 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the ES has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the ES 350e Luxury, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CT4 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, the ES Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The ES’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The ES’ 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 CT4’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The ES offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CT4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT4 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the Lexus ES and Cadillac CT4 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The ES features standard 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 CT4’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the ES and the CT4 have standard heated front seats. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT4.

The ES has standard front air conditioned seats and the ES 350e Luxury offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CT4 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The ES 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 CT4.

Both the ES and the CT4 offer available massaging front seats. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the CT4.

The Lexus ES has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport.

The Lexus ES stands out above the Cadillac CT4 by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The ES Luxury/Premium+’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Lexus ES outsold the Cadillac CT4 by over seven to one during 2025.

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