2025 Subaru BRZ vs 2026 Cadillac CT4
Comparison Overview
The most significant quantifiable divergence between the 2025 Subaru BRZ (Car 1) and the 2026 Cadillac CT4 (Car 2) is fuel economy, with the CT4 achieving 26 combined MPG compared to the BRZ's 22 combined MPG, a substantial 4 MPG advantage for the Cadillac. The CT4 also boasts superior power output, generating 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque against the BRZ's 228 hp and 184 lb-ft. However, the BRZ undercuts the CT4 on initial outlay with an MSRP of $33,210 versus $35,600. Despite the power gap, the BRZ is significantly smaller (167.9 inches long vs. 187.2 inches) and offers considerably less utility, evidenced by its 6.3 cu ft cargo area compared to the CT4's 10.7 cu ft. The BRZ utilizes a 6-speed manual, while the CT4 features an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission across the board.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Cadillac CT4
The Cadillac CT4 offers better fuel efficiency at 26 combined MPG and a more comfortable sedan configuration suitable for daily travel.
2026 Cadillac CT4
The CT4 provides 4.4 cubic feet more cargo capacity (10.7 vs. 6.3 cu ft) and its sedan body style is more practical than the BRZ's coupe form.
2025 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ exclusively offers a 6-speed manual transmission, which appeals directly to driving purists seeking mechanical engagement over the CT4's automatic.
2025 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ has a lower entry price of $33,210 and requires only premium unleaded, whereas the CT4 costs $2,390 more and recommends premium fuel.
Choose the Subaru BRZ if...
- You prioritize the driver involvement offered by the standard 6-speed manual transmission.
- Your budget is strict, as the BRZ has a lower MSRP of $33,210.
- You prefer the agility of a smaller car, indicated by its 167.9-inch length.
Choose the Cadillac CT4 if...
- You require greater outright power, featuring 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
- Fuel economy is important, as the CT4 achieves 32 highway MPG versus the BRZ's 27 highway MPG.
- You need superior utility, as the CT4 offers 10.7 cu ft of cargo space.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru BRZ | Cadillac CT4 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 167.9" | 187.2" |
| Width | 69.9" | 71.4" |
| Height | 51.6" | 56.0" |
| Wheelbase | 101.4" | 109.0" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | โ | โ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | โ | โ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | โ | โ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | โ | โ |
| Front Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Rear Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | โ | โ |
| Electronic Stability Control | โ | โ |
| Traction Control System | โ | โ |
| LATCH System | โ | โ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | โ | โ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | โ | โ |
| Brake Assist | โ | โ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | โ | โ |
| Automatic Headlights | โ | โ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | โ | โ |
| LED Headlights | โ | โ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | โ | โ |
| Daytime Running Lights | โ | โ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | โ | โ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | โ | โ |
| Engine Immobilizer | โ | โ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | โ | โ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | โ | โ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | โ | โ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | โ | โ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | โ | โ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Rear Headrests | โ | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | โ | โ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | โ | โ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 228 hp @ 7000 rpm | 237 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | โ | โ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | โ | โ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Rear Differential Type | Limited Slip | โ |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/27 MPG | 22/32 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 264.0/356.4 mi. | 374.0/544.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 17.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | โ | โ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Electric Power Steering | โ | โ |
| Rear View Camera | โ | โ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | โ | โ |
| Front Cupholders | โ | โ |
| Front Door Pockets | โ | โ |
| Front Seatback Storage | โ | โ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | โ | โ |
| Interior Air Filtration | โ | โ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | โ | โ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | โ | โ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | โ | โ |
| Cruise Control | โ | โ |
| Rear Cupholders | โ | โ |
| Rear Door Pockets | โ | โ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | โ | โ |
| Sun Sensor | โ | โ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | โ | โ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | โ | โ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | โ | โ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | โ | โ |
| USB Port | โ | โ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | โ | โ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | โ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | โ | โ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | โ | โ |
| Memory Card Slot | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | โ | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | โ | โ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | โ | โ |
| Heated Mirrors | โ | โ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 37.0 in. | 38.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 53.6 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 52.4 in. | 53.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | โ | โ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | โ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | โ |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | โ | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | โ | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | โ | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | โ | โ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 33.5 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 29.9 in. | 33.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 51.7 in. | 53.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.2 in. | 52.5 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | โ | โ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | โ | โ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | โ | โ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | โ | โ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | โ |
| Tire Type | Performance | โ |
| Tire Size | 215/45R | P225/45R17 |
| Wheel Diameter | โ | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | โ | โ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | โ | โ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | โ | โ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Cadillac |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | โ | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru BRZ and 2026 Cadillac CT4.
Does the BRZ require premium fuel like the CT4?
Yes, the 2025 Subaru BRZ mandates the use of premium unleaded gasoline for its 228 hp engine. Conversely, the 2026 Cadillac CT4 recommends premium unleaded, implying it can safely run on regular grades, although performance might be optimized with premium.
Which car has a significantly better power-to-weight ratio potential given their size differences?
While the CT4 has higher peak output (237 hp vs. 228 hp), the BRZ is significantly smaller and lighter at 167.9 inches long. The CT4's increased torque advantage of 258 lb-ft over the BRZ's 184 lb-ft suggests better real-world acceleration, despite the manual gearbox availability in Car 1.
How much more practical is the Cadillac CT4 for cargo carrying?
The 2026 Cadillac CT4 is markedly more practical, offering 10.7 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is substantially greater than the 6.3 cu ft available in the Subaru BRZ coupe.
What is the transmission difference affecting performance metrics?
The BRZ is exclusively offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, favoring driver connection. The CT4 comes equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic, which contributes to its superior 26 combined MPG rating.
Is the $2,390 price difference between the two vehicles justified by the performance gains?
The CT4 costs $35,600 compared to the BRZ's $33,210, securing 9 more horsepower and 74 more lb-ft of torque. The value decision depends on whether those modest power gains outweigh the BRZ's $2,390 lower MSRP and better economy figures.
Which vehicle has larger exterior dimensions?
The 2026 Cadillac CT4 is a larger vehicle across all metrics, measuring 187.2 inches in length and 56.0 inches in height. The 2025 Subaru BRZ is a compact coupe, measuring only 167.9 inches long and 51.6 inches high.
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