DecodedCarsCadillac CT4 vs Lexus IS
2026 Cadillac CT4 vs 2026 Lexus IS — two compact cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Cadillac CT4 is more fuel-efficient: 26 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $600 a year less in fuel for the Cadillac CT4 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
Across all model years since 2005, the Cadillac CT4 has had fewer recall campaigns (5 vs 15).
The two cars
The 2026 Cadillac CT4 is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,578 lb (2.0l 4dr Sedan AWD).
The 2026 Lexus IS is a compact car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,913 lb.
Buying used? The 2024 CT4 and the 2024 IS have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 CT4 and the 2015 IS.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Cadillac CT4 if…
- You want lower fuel bills (26 vs 22 MPG)
- You put reliability history first (5 vs 15 recalls since 2005)
Choose the Lexus IS if…
It doesn't clearly beat the Cadillac CT4 on any measure we track.
Pros & cons of each
2026 Cadillac CT4
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
2026 Lexus IS
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 25% below the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Full 2026 Cadillac CT4 specs →Full 2026 Lexus IS specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →