If you’re shopping for a small luxury sedan, the Cadillac CT4 and Lexus IS probably land on your shortlist. They’re both stylish, well-equipped, and fun to drive—but they go about things in different ways. One leans toward classic luxury, the other toward modern value and performance. Let’s take a closer look at how these two stack up for 2025 in this Cadillac CT4 vs Lexus IS performance comparison.
Key Takeaways
- The CT4 is Cadillac’s smallest sedan, but it delivers big on style, drive feel, and price.
- You can get into a CT4 for less than $37K, while Lexus starts over $41K and climbs all the way to $70K. Prices effective une 21, 2025.
- Both offer upscale features, but Cadillac wins on overall value and drivability.
Trim Highlights and What’s New for 2025
Cadillac keeps the lineup familiar but adds some nice touches to the CT4 V-Series, including new paint options in Deep Space Metallic, Typhoon Metallic, and Drift Metallic, along with fresh 18-inch wheels and power front seats. Here's how the pricing breaks down:
- Luxury: $36,490
- Premium Luxury: $42,590
- Sport: $42,590
- V-Series: $48,790
Lexus marks the IS’s 25th anniversary with some limited-edition models for the IS500, including the flashy Flare Yellow Special Appearance and a Wind-colored Ultimate Edition. Other trims pick up convenience upgrades like power-folding mirrors and memory settings.
Lexus IS trims and pricing:
- IS300: $41,610
- IS300 F Sport Design: $43,580
- IS350 F Sport Design: $44,935
- IS300 F Sport: $45,655
- IS350 F Sport: $47,010
- IS500 F Sport Performance: $60,595
- IS500 Premium: $65,095
- IS500 Ultimate Edition: $70,000
The CT4 lineup starts with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 237 hp, mated to an eight-speed automatic. It’s peppy and smooth for daily driving. The 2.7-liter turbo in the CT4-V makes 325 hp and runs through a 10-speed automatic. That engine is also available on the Premium Luxury trim, slightly detuned to 310 hp.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available at every level—giving you flexibility no matter your weather or driving style.
The IS lineup offers three engine choices: a 241-hp 2.0-liter turbo four in the IS300, a 311-hp V6 in the IS350, and a 472-hp V8 in the IS500. That V8 makes the IS500 a beast, but most buyers will land somewhere in the middle. The IS300 and IS350 offer optional all-wheel drive, but the IS500 sticks with rear-wheel drive only.
Efficiency and Everyday Tech in the 2025 Cadillac CT4 vs 2025 Lexus IS
Cadillac’s CT4 does well on gas, especially for a sport-oriented compact sedan. The 2.0-liter gets 23 mpg city and 34 highway. The 2.7-liter setup returns 21 city and 31 highway.
The IS300 RWD is the most efficient Lexus in the bunch at 21 city/31 highway. Add AWD and that drops to 19/26. The IS350 also gets 20/28 mpg with rear-drive, while the thirsty IS500 V8 pulls just 17 city and 25 highway.
Both models deliver on connectivity. Every CT4 comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades include a nav system and a 14-speaker Bose system.
Lexus includes an 8-inch screen standard, with an optional 10.3-inch display that adds built-in navigation. The system uses a console-mounted touchpad—a love-it-or-hate-it setup—but still includes physical knobs for volume and tuning. CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa are all baked in.
Which Sedan Is the Best Choice
If you’re after a sleek, compact sedan with strong tech, sporty options, and pricing that makes sense, the 2025 Cadillac CT4 nails it. It keeps things focused and well-balanced, making the CT4 a great choice whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or just enjoying the ride. Stop by our Reliable Cadillac showroom in Roseville to experience it for yourself!