Compare the2026 Lexus LSVS 2025 Cadillac CT5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac CT5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The LS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CT5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The LS has standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CT5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the LS. But it costs extra on the CT5.

The Lexus LS’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Cadillac CT5 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the LS and the CT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus LS weighs 1078 to 1242 pounds more than the Cadillac CT5. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the LS’ reliability 20 points higher than the CT5.

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 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The LS’ 3.4 turbo V6 produces 179 more horsepower (416 vs. 237) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 258) than the CT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The LS’ 3.4 turbo V6 produces 81 more horsepower (416 vs. 335) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 405) than the CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus LS is faster than the Cadillac CT5 turbo 4 cyl.:

The LS has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CT5 (21.7 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The LS has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the CT5. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the LS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CT5:

The LS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the CT5 are solid, not vented.

The LS stops shorter than the CT5:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LS has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CT5.

The LS has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The CT5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the CT5 (123 inches vs. 116 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the LS is 1.5 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than on the CT5.

The LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CT5 Sport (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The LS has 1.8 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom, 1.4 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT5.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the CT5 (17 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the LS offers cargo security. The CT5’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the LS has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CT5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the CT5, the LS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Consumer Reports rated the LS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the CT5’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LS has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CT5 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the LS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT5 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Lexus LS has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the CT5.

Both the LS and the CT5 have standard heated front seats. The LS also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CT5.