Compare the2026 Lexus RZVS 2025 Cadillac Optiq

The RZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Optiq doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the RZ and the Optiq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The RZ 450e’s standard electric motors produces 8 more horsepower (308 vs. 300) than the Optiq’s electric motors. The RZ 550e F Sport’s standard electric motors produces 102 more horsepower (402 vs. 300) and 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (396 vs. 354) than the Optiq’s electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the Cadillac Optiq:

The RZ has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Optiq doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the RZ’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Optiq:

The RZ stops shorter than the Optiq:

For better traction and acceleration, the RZ has larger rear tires than the Optiq (255/55R18 vs. 245/50R20).

The RZ 450e Luxury handles at .86 G’s, while the Optiq Sport pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RZ 450e Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Optiq Sport (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Optiq’s (36.8 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Optiq (7.9 vs. 6 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 850 pounds less than the Cadillac Optiq.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Optiq doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has .5 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more rear hip room than the Optiq.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The Optiq’s rear seats don’t recline.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Optiq with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 26 cubic feet).

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Optiq doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Optiq doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus RZ outsold the Cadillac Optiq by almost 19 to one during 2024.