Cadillac CTS vs. Lexus IS 250
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Cadillac CTS and Lexus IS 250 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Cadillac CTS and the Lexus IS 250.
In comparing the Cadillac CTS's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Cadillac CTS has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Cadillac CTS and Lexus IS 250 have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Cadillac CTS's and the Lexus IS 250's specifications and ratings, the Cadillac CTS is a better car than the Lexus IS 250.
Pricing: A used 2015 Cadillac CTS ranges from $10,648 to $23,411 while a used 2015 Lexus IS 250 is priced between $14,422 to $24,727.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Cadillac CTS’s base engine makes 272 horsepower, and the Lexus IS 250 base engine makes 204 horsepower. Both the CTS and the IS 250 are rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 570 and 522 miles respectively. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Cadillac CTS has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Lexus IS 250 has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Cadillac CTS has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$45,345
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$56,704
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$27,065 - $115,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,550
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$38,801
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$21,065 - $62,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$16,525
Price Range:
$10,648 - $23,411
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$21,032
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$12,599 - $36,262
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
46
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
94,820
# Good or Great Deals:
15
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$19,316
Price Range:
$14,422 - $24,727
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$17,656
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$11,301 - $37,852
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
177
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
96,859
# Good or Great Deals:
55
Cadillac CTS Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Lexus IS 250 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Cadillac CTS
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
1.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 5.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 250
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.5 - 5.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
47.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.9 - 18.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.8 - 27.2
Cadillac CTS Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Lexus IS 250 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Cadillac CTS Trim Levels
2.0T, 2.0T Luxury Collection, 2.0T Performance Collection, 2.0T Premium Collection, 3.6L Luxury Collection, 3.6L Performance Collection, 3.6L Premium Collection, 3.6L TT Vsport, 3.6L TT Vsport Premium
Lexus IS 250 Trim Levels
Base, Crafted Line
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
272 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.075 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
204 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
185 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
380 / 570 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 522 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
13.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3620 lbs
Width:
80.8 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
195.5 inches
Wheelbase:
114.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3461 lbs
Width:
79.8 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
183.7 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Beige
Silver Coast Metallic
Black
Black Diamond Tricoat / Black Raven
Blue
Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic / Opulent Blue Metallic
Gray
Phantom Gray Metallic
Purple
Majestic Plum Metallic
Red
Red Obsession Tintcoat
Silver
Radiant Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Tricoat
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Obsidian
Blue
Deep Sea Mica
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Purple
Not available
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Atomic Silver / Silver Lining Metallic
White
Starfire Pearl / Ultra White
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black w/Jet Black Accents
Gray
Light Platinum with Jet Black Accents
Silver
Light Platinum w/Jet Black Accents
Beige
Not available
Purple
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Matte Black trim / Black w/ Silver Performance trim
Gray
Stratus Gray / Stratus Gray w/ Matte Black trim / Stratus Gray w/ Silver Performance trim
Silver
Not available
Beige
Flaxen / Parchment
Purple
Rioja Red
