Compare the2024 Cadillac CT5VS 2024 Lexus LS

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CT5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The LS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the CT5 and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CT5 second among midsize premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The LS isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

The CT5’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 350) than the LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac CT5 turbo V6 is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the CT5 gets better mileage than the LS:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT5’s fuel efficiency. The LS doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the CT5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The CT5 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The LS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CT5 stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the CT5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (255/35R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The CT5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 series tires. The CT5’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

The CT5 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The LS doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The CT5 Sport handles at .88 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CT5 Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the LS 500h AWD (26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The Cadillac CT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1250 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The CT5 is 1 foot shorter than the LS, making the CT5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the CT5 (except Premium Luxury/Sport) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CT5 has 1.7 inches more front headroom and 1.4 inches more front legroom than the LS.

The CT5’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The CT5 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The LS has no towing capacity.

The CT5’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The LS does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Insurance will cost less for the CT5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CT5 will cost $5115 to $9775 less than the LS over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac CT5 will be $37630 to $64169 less than for the Lexus LS.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac CT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.

The Cadillac CT5 outsold the Lexus LS by over 8 to one during 2023.