2026 Cadillac CT4 vs. 2026 Lexus IS

Car Chomper says the 2026 Cadillac CT4's $35,600 starting MSRP undercuts the 2025 Lexus IS's $40,535 by $4,935, calling it substantially better value, with performance closely matched at 237 hp for the CT4 versus 241 hp for the IS and identical 258 lb-ft of torque, the CT4 slightly ahead on fuel economy at 26 mpg combined versus the IS's 25, and cargo space nearly identical at 10.7 versus 10.8 cubic feet, naming the CT4 best for commuters and value and the IS best for families and enthusiasts. Lithia, citing Motor Trend testing, says the CT4's optional 2.7-liter turbo four produces 70 lb-ft more torque than the IS's 3.5-liter V6 (350 vs. 280) and is faster in the quarter mile, running 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds versus the IS's 5.7 seconds and 14.2 seconds, while also besting it on EPA fuel economy.

Which to choose, and why

$4,935 cheaper, better value

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Cadillac CT4's $35,600 starting MSRP undercuts the 2025 Lexus IS's $40,535 by $4,935, calling it substantially better value, with performance closely matched at 237 hp for the CT4 versus 241 hp for the IS and identical 258 lb-ft of torque, the CT4 slightly ahead on fuel economy at 26 mpg combined versus the IS's 25, naming the CT4 best for commuters and value and the IS best for families and enthusiasts.

The optional CT4 turbo is quicker

Lithia (opens in a new tab), citing Motor Trend testing, says the CT4's optional 2.7-liter turbo four produces 70 lb-ft more torque than the IS's 3.5-liter V6 (350 vs. 280) and is faster in the quarter mile, running 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds versus the IS's 5.7 seconds and 14.2 seconds, while also besting it on EPA fuel economy.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Cadillac CT4 or Lexus IS?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the CT4, by $4,935 at MSRP.

Which is faster, the Cadillac CT4 or Lexus IS?

Lithia (opens in a new tab), citing Motor Trend testing, says the CT4's optional 2.7-turbo, at 5.0 seconds 0-60 versus the IS's 5.7 seconds.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Cadillac CT4: 8 records · Lexus IS: 2 records.

Decision field	Cadillac CT4	Lexus IS
Exact EPA records	8	2
Model / option labels	4	2
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.7L 4-cyl SIDI, 2L 4-cyl SIDI, 3.6L 6-cyl SIDI	3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI
Transmissions	Automatic (S10), Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd	Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Premium	Premium
EPA classes	Compact Cars	Compact Cars
Combined efficiency	18–26 MPG/MPGe	22 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$3050–4450 per year	$3650 per year

Head to head

Cadillac CT4 vs. Lexus IS: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Cadillac CT4	Lexus IS
Starting price (KBB base)	$37,795	$46,795
Top trim price (KBB base)	$48,195	$51,245
Horsepower	237 hp	311 hp
Torque	258 lb-ft	280 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	n/a	6 sec
Curb weight	3,578-3,622 lb	3,913 lb
Length	187.2 in	185.8 in
Wheelbase	109 in	110.2 in
Cargo volume	10.7 cu ft	10.8 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Cadillac CT4 starts $9,000 lower: $37,795 against $46,795 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Lexus IS leads: 311 hp against 237 hp.
On peak torque, the Lexus IS leads: 280 lb-ft against 258 lb-ft.
The Cadillac CT4 is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,578 lb against 3,913 lb.
On length, the Cadillac CT4 leads: 187.2 in against 185.8 in.
On wheelbase, the Lexus IS leads: 110.2 in against 109 in.
On cargo volume, the Lexus IS leads: 10.8 cu ft against 10.7 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Cadillac CT4 and the Lexus IS.

2026 Cadillac CT4

The Cadillac CT4 is a sedan manufactured and marketed by Cadillac. It replaced the Cadillac ATS sedan and sits below the CT5 in Cadillac's lineup. The CT4-V was unveiled on May 30, 2019, followed by the standard CT4 four months later.

Awards: The CT4-V Blackwing was named in Car and Driver's 10 Best List in 2022–2026.

Source: Cadillac CT4 (Wikipedia)

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Cadillac CT4, most often about unknown or other (1), vehicle speed control (1), forward collision avoidance (1).

2026 Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is a compact executive car (D-segment in Europe) sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota, since 1998. The IS was originally sold under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan from 1998 until 2005 (the word Altezza is Italian for 'height' or 'highness'). The IS was introduced as an entry-level sport model positioned below the ES in the Lexus lineup.

Safety: Safety equipment on the IS models ranged from multiple airbags to stability control systems. A Pre-Collision System (PCS) was the first offered in the entry-luxury performance sedan market segment.

Source: Lexus IS (Wikipedia)

Equipment. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) F Sport parts for the Japanese IS sedan include a front spoiler, side skirts, rear spoiler, sport muffler and rear diffuser, diamond-like carbon fibre shock absorbers, 19-inch aluminium wheels (measuring 19x8.5J front and 19x9J rear, 45 mm front and 50 mm rear insets, 245/35ZR19 front and 265/30ZR19 rear tyres), member brace and performance dampers.

Awards. Power and Associates named the second-generation IS 250/IS 350 sedans the best vehicles in the entry luxury class in its 2006 Initial Quality Survey. Power and Associates named the first-generation IS 300 sedan and IS 300 SportCross the best vehicles in the entry luxury class in its 2005 Initial Quality Survey.

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Cadillac CT48 configurations →02 · 2026Lexus IS2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Cadillac CT4 or the 2026 Lexus IS?

Efficiency

Neither the 2026 Cadillac CT4 nor the 2026 Lexus IS separates on this field: both list a 22 combined MPG/MPGe midpoint in this snapshot.