2026–27 Cadillac OPTIQ vs Lexus NX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the NX — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,175 vs $49,995) and more towing capacity (2,000 lb vs 1,500 lb). Choose the OPTIQ if you want the most power (519 hp vs 304 hp).
Scorecard: OPTIQ 1 pts · NX 3 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 OPTIQ | 2026 NX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $49,995 | $44,175 | NX |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 54.4% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 105 MPGe | 40 mpg | Not scored |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 519 hp | 304 hp | OPTIQ |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 2,000 lb | NX |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 22.7 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 3.4% off MSRP | No data |
| Weighted points | 1 | 3 | NX |
Not scored: one is rated in mpg, the other in MPGe (electric).
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the NX — $44,175 vs $49,995 (starting MSRP).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — OPTIQ 5 vs NX 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the NX — $44,175 vs $49,995 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: the NX — 2,000 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The OPTIQ starts at $49,995 and tops out at $67,500; the NX runs $44,175 to $62,830 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified NX buyers paid a median 3.4% off MSRP across 11 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 5.7% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- OPTIQ: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- NX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 OPTIQ | 2026 NX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $49,995 | $44,175 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $67,500 | $62,830 |
| Horsepower | 315–519 hp | 240–304 hp |
| Max torque | 650 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 83–105 MPGe | 24–40 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Electric range (best) | 317 mi | — |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 2,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 22.7 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the OPTIQ yet. A 5-year-old (2021) NX lists for a median $28,998 — 54.4% of today's median new price of $53,276.
Shop both
- See 2,272 new 2027 Cadillac OPTIQs for sale →Median listed price $57,875 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Lexus NX for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Cadillac OPTIQ
More on the Lexus NX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the OPTIQ better than the NX?
On our data, no — the NX comes out ahead. Our pick: the NX — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,175 vs $49,995) and more towing capacity (2,000 lb vs 1,500 lb). Choose the OPTIQ if you want the most power (519 hp vs 304 hp).
Which is more reliable, the OPTIQ or the NX?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the OPTIQ or the NX?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the OPTIQ or the NX?
The NX starts lower: $44,175 vs $49,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the OPTIQ or the NX?
They're rated differently: the OPTIQ is rated 105 MPGe and the NX 40 mpg (EPA best combined). Not scored: one is rated in mpg, the other in MPGe (electric).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Cadillac OPTIQ vs Lexus NX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/cadillac-optiq-vs-lexus-nx, updated November 8, 2026.