Luxury SUVs are in a class of their own, with these high performance, high class models representing the top of the line in terms of luxury in the USDM. In today’s 2025 Cadillac CT5 vs Lexus ES 350 comparison, we’ll be looking at the luxe features of both the Lexus ES 350 and Cadillac CT5 to find out who’s brought the best package to the 2025 model year.
Key Takeaways
- The CT5 is best when under pressure, as it brings performance to envy in 2025.
- The ES 350 offers great customization and an enviable starting price.
- The CT5 sees its final year of production in the 2025 model year.
Are Cadillac CT5 good cars?
Yes and the 2025 Cadillac CT5 receives a mid-cycle facelift that updates both its exterior and interior. On the outside, the front fascia, grille, and lighting elements have been revised, including stacked LED headlamps and a vertical daytime running light that give the sedan a sharper, more modern look. Inside, the biggest change is the infotainment system, which replaces last year’s 10.0-inch touchscreen with a dramatic 33.0-inch curved display that spans the instrument panel and incorporates GM’s latest Google-based software.
Additional 2025 updates include standard active blind-spot assist, available traffic sign recognition, a new driver-attention monitoring system, and an upgraded automated emergency braking system designed to help prevent collisions at intersections. Connectivity is enhanced with an optional 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and the premium audio option is now tuned by AKG instead of Bose. Two new exterior colors—Deep Space Metallic and Typhoon Metallic—round out the changes. Pricing for the 2025 CT5 starts at $49,090 and goes up to $58,490 depending on trim and options.
- Premium Luxury - $49,090
- Sport - $50,090
- V-Series - $58,490
The CT5 offers a compelling dual personality, making two trims particularly appealing depending on your priorities. For those seeking a stylish mid-size luxury sedan that balances sharp handling with strong value, the Premium Luxury trim stands out. It comes well-equipped with amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats with massage functionality, a panoramic sunroof, an AKG premium audio system, a heated steering wheel, and GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving feature, providing both comfort and advanced technology for an elevated driving experience.
What is the price of Lexus ES 350?
The Lexus ES 350 starts at an asking price of $43,190 as of this writing. The full list of available trims reads as:
- ES 350 - $43,190
- ES 350 F SPORT DESIGN – $48,135
- ES 350 Luxury - $48,360
- ES 350 F SPORT HANDLING - $49,650
- ES 350 Ultra Luxury - $52,080
Luxury vehicles often carry the stigma of steep depreciation, but the Lexus ES sidesteps this issue by offering strong resale value while remaining relatively affordable. Even the base ES comes generously equipped, making it a practical choice for those seeking luxury without overspending.
Many buyers may find it worthwhile to step up to the next trim, but the optional Premium package allows drivers to add desirable features—such as a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless charging, and rear parking sensors—without having to jump all the way to the higher-priced Luxury trim.
That being said, the Lexus ES 350 Luxury, while practical, does not boast as many luxe features as the CT5 Premium Luxury base model. You’d need to move up to the top trim which is a bit more expensive than the Cadillac. The power for both is telling. The CT5 237 horsepower with 258 lb-ft of torque. The ES 350 falls short with only 203 horsepower and a sad 184 lb-ft of torque.
Summary
Weighing in the basics, it's the CT5 that makes the most sense from a quality standpoint, being one of the best models in the class from a value standpoint, as it brings some of Cadillac’s best features to the table this year.
