Compare the2025 Mercedes C-Class SedanVS 2025 Cadillac CT4

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/23

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes C-Class Sedan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac CT4 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The C-Class Sedan’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CT4 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes C-Class Sedan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Cadillac CT4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The C-Class Sedan has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CT4 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The C-Class Sedan has a standard Post Collision Brake, 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The C-Class Sedan offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The CT4 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the C-Class Sedan and CT4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the C-Class Sedan has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CT4’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The C-Class Sedan’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 C-Class Sedan and the CT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Mercedes C-Class Sedan achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The CT4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Cadillac.

Engine

The C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 18 more horsepower (255 vs. 237) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CT4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes C-Class Sedan is faster than the Cadillac CT4 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	C-Class Sedan	CT4
Zero to 30 MPH	2.8 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.3 sec	4.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the C-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the CT4:

			MPG
C-Class Sedan
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
CT4
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the C-Class Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The C-Class Sedan has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the CT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes C-Class Sedan higher (7 out of 10) than the Cadillac CT4 (5 to 6). This means the C-Class Sedan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CT4 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the C-Class Sedan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4:

	C-Class Sedan	CT4	CT4 Sport
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.8 inches	12.6 inches

The C-Class Sedan stops shorter than the CT4:

	C-Class Sedan	CT4
100 to 0 MPH	314 feet	324 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	158 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the C-Class Sedan has larger standard rear tires than the CT4 (245/40R18 vs. 225/45R17). The C-Class Sedan’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the CT4 (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The C-Class Sedan’s standard 245/40R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CT4 Luxury’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the C-Class Sedan has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CT4 Luxury.

Suspension and Handling

The C-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The CT4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the CT4 (112.8 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the C-Class Sedan is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the CT4.

The C 300 Sedan 4MATIC handles at .91 G’s, while the CT4 Premium Luxury pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the C-Class Sedan’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the CT4’s (36.3 feet vs. 37.1 feet). The C-Class Sedan 4MATIC’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the CT4 AWD’s (37.6 feet vs. 38 feet).

Passenger Space

The C-Class Sedan has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CT4 (93 vs. 90).

The C-Class Sedan has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 5.1 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.6 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4.

Cargo Capacity

The C-Class Sedan has a larger trunk than the CT4 (11.6 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the C-Class Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the C-Class offers cargo security. The CT4’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the C-Class Sedan’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CT4 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The C-Class Sedan 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.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, the C-Class Sedan has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The C-Class Sedan’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 C-Class Sedan the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. 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 C-Class Sedan’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the C-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the C-Class Sedan’s headlight performance “Excellent,” a higher rating than the CT4’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The C-Class Sedan’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.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the C-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT4 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the Mercedes C-Class Sedan and Cadillac CT4 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The C-Class Sedan features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the CT4’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Mercedes C-Class Sedan has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport.

The C-Class Sedan has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CT4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The C-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Cadillac CT4 by almost four to one during 2023.