2026–27 Cadillac OPTIQ vs Lexus RZ: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RZ — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($46,000 vs $49,995) and better fuel economy (126 MPGe vs 105 MPGe best EPA combined). Choose the OPTIQ if you want the most power (519 hp vs 402 hp).
Scorecard: OPTIQ 1 pts · RZ 3.5 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 OPTIQ | 2026 RZ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $49,995 | $46,000 | RZ |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 105 MPGe | 126 MPGe | RZ |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 519 hp | 402 hp | OPTIQ |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 1 | 3.5 | RZ |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RZ — 126 MPGe vs 105 MPGe (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — OPTIQ 5 vs RZ 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the RZ — $46,000 vs $49,995 (starting MSRP).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The OPTIQ starts at $49,995 and tops out at $67,500; the RZ runs $46,000 to $57,000 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- OPTIQ: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- RZ: 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 RZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $49,995 | $46,000 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $67,500 | $57,000 |
| Horsepower | 315–519 hp | 221–402 hp |
| Max torque | 650 lb-ft | 198.1 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 83–105 MPGe | 95–126 MPGe |
| Electric range (best) | 317 mi | 301 mi |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Shop both
- See 2,272 new 2027 Cadillac OPTIQs for sale →Median listed price $57,875 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Lexus RZ for sale →
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Cadillac OPTIQ
More on the Lexus RZ
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the OPTIQ better than the RZ?
On our data, no — the RZ comes out ahead. Our pick: the RZ — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($46,000 vs $49,995) and better fuel economy (126 MPGe vs 105 MPGe best EPA combined). Choose the OPTIQ if you want the most power (519 hp vs 402 hp).
Which is more reliable, the OPTIQ or the RZ?
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 RZ?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the OPTIQ or the RZ?
The RZ starts lower: $46,000 vs $49,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the OPTIQ or the RZ?
The RZ: up to 126 MPGe combined vs 105 MPGe for the OPTIQ (best EPA rating across each lineup).
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 RZ: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/cadillac-optiq-vs-lexus-rz, updated November 8, 2026.