2025 Cadillac CT5 vs 2026 Nissan Z
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the refined luxury of the 2025 Cadillac CT5 and the raw performance of the 2026 Nissan Z presents a classic automotive dilemma: practicality versus pure fun. If your main concern is the daily grind, the CT5 shines with a superior 26 combined MPG compared to the Z's 20 combined MPG, saving you money over its estimated 32 highway MPG. However, the Nissan Z hits back hard with a massive 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, obliterating the Cadillac's 237 hp output. Despite the performance gap, the Cadillac offers a slightly lower barrier to entry at $47,595 versus the Z’s $42,970, although this is balanced by the Z’s inherently sportier RWD layout and manual transmission availability. Furthermore, the CT5’s sedan body provides 11.9 cu ft of cargo space, significantly more usable than what the tight coupe format of the Z offers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Cadillac CT5
The Cadillac CT5 wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 26 combined MPG versus the Nissan Z's 20 MPG.
2025 Cadillac CT5
As a sedan with more practical dimensions (193.8 inches long) and usable cargo volume, the CT5 is inherently more family-friendly than the compact Z coupe.
2026 Nissan Z
The 2026 Nissan Z clearly targets driving engagement with 400 horsepower and a standard 6-speed manual transmission.
2026 Nissan Z
The Nissan Z offers substantially more power (400 hp vs. 237 hp) for a $4,625 lower starting MSRP.
Choose the Cadillac CT5 if...
- You prioritize better fuel economy, netting 26 combined MPG.
- You require a usable trunk, as the CT5 offers 11.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer the slightly smoother ride associated with a sedan body style over a dedicated sports coupe.
Choose the Nissan Z if...
- Maximum acceleration is key, given the Z’s advantage of 163 more horsepower (400 hp total).
- You specifically want the engagement of a 6-speed manual transmission.
- Your budget needs to stretch further, as the Z starts at $42,970, which is $4,625 less than the CT5.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Cadillac CT5 | Nissan Z |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.8" | 172.4" |
| Width | 74.1" | 72.6" |
| Height | 57.2" | 51.8" |
| Wheelbase | 116.0" | 100.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | — |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | — |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | — |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 3.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 237 hp @ 5000 rpm | 400 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | 350 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 23/32 MPG | 18/24 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 391.0/544.0 mi. | 0/0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.0 gal. | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | ✓ | — |
| Side View Camera | ✓ | — |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Parking Assist | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 33.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium Speaker Brand | AKG | — |
| Speaker System | 15 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Surround Audio | Discrete | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.0 in. | 38.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 42.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 54.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 54.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 12-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 2 | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 12-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | ✓ | — |
| Seat Massage Function | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.6 in. | — |
| Rear Leg Room | 37.9 in. | — |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.7 in. | — |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Size | 245/45R18 | 245/45R |
| Tire Type | ✓ | Performance |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 9.0 in. |
Suspension
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Cadillac | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Cadillac CT5 and 2026 Nissan Z.
Is the 2026 Nissan Z significantly more powerful than the 2025 Cadillac CT5?
Yes, the Z has a substantial power advantage, delivering 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, while the CT5 produces 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Which car is better for saving money at the gas pump?
The Cadillac CT5 is the clear choice for fuel savings, reporting a combined MPG of 26, which is 6 MPG better than the Nissan Z's 20 combined MPG.
Does the Cadillac CT5 offer more usable space than the Nissan Z?
Absolutely; the CT5 is a longer sedan at 193.8 inches and offers 11.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the Z is a shorter coupe optimized for two passengers.
What is the primary transmission difference between these two RWD vehicles?
The 2025 Cadillac CT5 comes standard with a 10-speed shiftable automatic, whereas the 2026 Nissan Z offers the enthusiast-focused 6-speed manual transmission.
How big is the price difference between these two models?
The 2025 Cadillac CT5 starts at an MSRP of $47,595, making it $4,625 more expensive than the Nissan Z's starting MSRP of $42,970.
Do both cars require premium fuel?
Yes, both the 2025 Cadillac CT5 and the 2026 Nissan Z specify that premium unleaded fuel is recommended for optimal performance.
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