Compare the2023 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Cadillac CT4

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CT4 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.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the CT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 2 Series Gran Coupe the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 155 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT4 has not been tested, yet.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the CT4’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the CT4.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 20 points higher than the CT4.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CT4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 64 more horsepower (301 vs. 237) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the CT4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the 228i Gran Coupe is faster than the Cadillac CT4 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the CT4:

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CT4 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the CT4:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M235i) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CT4; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the CT4 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The CT4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is 1.2 inches wider in the front than the track on the CT4.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe handles at .91 G’s, while the CT4 Premium Luxury AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CT4 Premium Luxury AWD (25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is 8.7 inches shorter than the CT4, making the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear legroom than the CT4.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the CT4 (15.1 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CT4 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CT4 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 2 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The CT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The CT4’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 2 Series Gran Coupe will retain 47.21% to 48.43% of its original price after five years, while the CT4 only retains 39.41% to 41.44%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac CT4 isn't recommended.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Cadillac CT4 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.