Cadillac XTS Review From Users

I've got a string of press previews this week, one of which is the Cadillac XTS, the new top-of-the-range big Caddy that takes the place of both the STS and the DTS -- the latter being the classic old-person's Cadillac.

On paper, the XTS has an interesting story to tell: The styling is (I think) terrific, the mechanicals are humble (3.6 liter V6, front- or all-wheel-drive), and the interior is high-tech -- it's home to Caddy's new touch-screen CUE interface.

Now, I'm a big fan of the CTS, especially the 556 hp CTS-V (who isn't?), and I'm excited by the prospects of the ATS, the new small rear-drive Caddy that will go on sale a little after the XTS. But I don't really know what to think of the XTS -- and I'm not sure how to evaluate it. Should I compare it to the big German sedans? Or should I look at it as a king-sized Lexus ES?

I'm trying to get my head around this car, and I want to hear what you have to say. What do you expect from the XTS? And more importantly, what would it have to bring to the table for you to consider buying one? Click the "comments" link to share your thoughts, and I'll have a full review in the next couple-few days. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © General Motors
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May 23, 2012 at 9:04 am(1) Eric says:
I’m disappointed that this car doesn’t have a V8. I realize that they are becoming passe, but a big Caddy should have a V8.

Since this car doesn’t have a V8, and since the CTS/V are constantly compared to the German Makes, BMW in particular, I’d say that this car should be compared to the 7-series, A8 and Mercedes big model. All are either 4 or 6 powered save for the HP models, are available with AWD, and are about the same size. Hopefully, the XTS will be available as a HP model with a V8 at some point.

May 23, 2012 at 10:25 am(2) Greg says:
I think Cadillac has to tailor this car to a more traditional customer base. There are still lots of mature buyers who have no problems with a big FWD / AWD with a V6, and Cadillac would be foolish to turn them off with something too “hard core”. I’m sure there will be other engine variants in the future, but the initial offering seems well suited to the current STS / DTS drivers who want something to replace their current Caddy. I’m excited to read the review and see how this one stacks up.

May 23, 2012 at 10:38 am(3) Bill T says:
Two months ago I took a two year lease on a CTS coupe. I am planning on getting the XTS next and hope they have V-8 by then. The 318 HP is great in the coupe but I think will be lacking in the larger XTS.
Since it will probably be priced about the same as a loaded BMW 5,Audi A-6, Mercedes E, or the smaller Jag , I would go there.

May 23, 2012 at 10:41 am(4) Slimspoda says:
I expect that it will be ranked near the bottom of its segment. It will probably perform similarly to its rivals and cost a little less, but will weigh too much, have uncomfortable seats, cheap plastic interior parts, poor quality control, below-average gas mileage, and will develop rattles and other noises within 30,000 miles. But if you insist on buying a large American sedan, there aren’t many other options.

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May 23, 2012 at 11:19 am(5) Ron says:
With the excellent quality, performance and features of the CTS and ATS, I am a little disappointed with a FWD V6 in what should be a flagship car. If you can afford the XTS then you are not concerned about fuel costs. They should have aimed higher, say the BMW 7 series.

May 23, 2012 at 11:42 am(6) Cobber says:
To me, it looks like they’re going for the upscale town car market. I would expect to see town car fleets grabbing these up. Other than that I can’t say who they’re trying to market this towards other than extremely aged Caddy loyalists.

May 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm(7) jeff says:
I think the Lexus would be a closer rival. The big German sedans are performance oriented status symbols. Big, comfy, luxo Caddy’s aren’t. I think they are just trying to get back some of the crowd they lost when they stopped making them. And, I would think, very few of those people went out and replaced their old Caddy with the German sedans. It probably wont sell very well though.

May 23, 2012 at 4:23 pm(8) K.D. Campbell says:
I think Cadi is repositioning itself for its next big luxury, which will compete better with the S-Class, 7 Series and LS. Althought the DTS is nice, it has never lived up to its foriegn rivals. Based upon the CTS and its reviews, we know Cadi can do it!!

May 23, 2012 at 6:06 pm(9) Steve in GA says:
As others have said, I’m surprised and a little disappointed that GM chose a front wheel drive layout for the XTS.

Cadillac has done an excellent job in positioning the ATS and CTS as competition for its German rivals, with emphasis on handling, performance and luxury, and I expected that GM would continue that strategy with a large rear wheel drive XTS. While FWD cars can be very pleasant to drive, but they are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to handling and performance. A front wheel drive XTS seems completely off-message for a Cadillac brand that is again trying to be the “standard of the world”.

I believe GM has made a serious strategic mistake with the FWD design of this car. A front wheel drive XTS is going to appear to the car market like a simple re-skin of the DTS, and that is not what Cadillac needed. This new Caddy would appear to have the fingerprints of GM corporate cost-cutters all over it, who didn’t want the expense of developing a new, large rear wheel drive platform for the XTS.

I think that if GM wants to salvage what amounts to a DTS update and keep it close to the Cadillac party line of producing American high performance luxury, they need to make the XTS available only in all wheel drive. That might keep this new XTS from being a complete debacle, and something that looks like a product of the old, failed GM business model.

May 23, 2012 at 6:22 pm(10) MovingMansions says:
They had it all and they gave it away…I loved the DTS for what it was: a huge, rolling temple to chrome with Barcaloungers posing as car seats. But that was a car for a different time, a car for a buyer is largely dying off. I feel like we’re left with YET ANOTHER reskinn of the DTS, with a fancy new (and handsome) wrapper that’s full of excuses of why it isn’t what it should be. GM needs to stop with the excuses and realize that low aspirations is what got them into bankruptcy the first time…this car should have been the CTS on a grand scale. A rear wheel drive titan that is huge and powerful and carves up the road like a 5 series. But it’s not. It’s Hertz fodder once again. GM went for the low hanging fruit and this is exactly what shows.

May 23, 2012 at 9:45 pm(11) bob p says:
the infante who wrote the article who thinks the xts is an old persons car just shows the lack of knowing who owned caddys there a symbol of how well you do not your age.