Cadillac is an American icon. It is the second oldest American automobile brand behind Buick, and by the time it was purchased by General Motors in 1909, it had already established itself as one of America’s best luxury automakers. Cadillac was at the forefront of automobile technological innovation, and the Cadillac V8 engine set the standard for early American cars. Cadillac has won the US Car of the Year award five times:
- 1949 Cadillac Motor Division – innovations in V8 engine
- 1952 Cadillac Motor Division
- 1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
- 2008 Cadillac CTS
- 2014 Cadillac CTS
Cadillac is in the middle of a major reinvention as it struggles to regain its place amongst the world’s top luxury car brands. For the first time in decades, Cadillac is building some of the best cars in the world. Below are 5 of the most impressive cars Cadillac has to offer, which we’ll explore in greater detail in this article:
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Cadillac ATS-V
- Cadillac XTS
- Cadillac SRX Crossover
- Cadillac Escalade / ESV
Cadillac CTS-V
According to many, the Cadillac CTS-V is the best answer America has to the European super sedans from companies like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. The CTS-V is blazing fast and has incredible handling. This car is capable of 200 mph thanks to its powerful 640 horsepower engine.
- MSRP – $86,590
- Fuel Economy – 14 city / 20 highway
- Safety Features – Blind spot alert, forward collision alert, 5-star crash test ratings
- Performance – 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds
- Competition – Audi S6, BMW M5, Lexus GS F
- Pros – American made, very fast, great handling
- Cons – Expensive, no manual transmission
- Unique Features – Lane keep assist, lane change alert, forward collision alert, rear vision camera
Cadillac ATS-V
The Cadillac ATS-V is the younger, slightly slower brother of the CTS-V. It is still a very fast car with its 464 horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The ATS-V has incredible seats that are able to keep you very comfortable as you aggressively zoom around tight corners. The ATS-V also has amazing suspension that will make you feel like you’re floating even though you’re speeding through tight turns.
- MSRP – $61,460
- Fuel Economy – 17 city / 23 highway
- Safety Features – Front, rear, and side airbags; Passenger Sensing system
- Performance – 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds
- Competition – BMW M3, Audi S4,
- Pros – Great handling, best in-class suspension, very fast
- Cons – Not quite as fast as competition, sluggish transmission
- Unique Features – Very comfortable seats, rear vision camera, park assist
Cadillac XTS
The Cadillac XTS is the classic Cadillac that everyone’s used to. It is a plush, luxurious car that rides smoothly and is surprisingly fast. The speed comes at no surprise thanks to its 305 horsepower V6 engine. Additionally, the XTS comes in either front wheel drive or AWD. The XTS has a very luxurious interior with all of the bells and whistles, and there is tons of legroom in the back seat. This is the car for the senior citizen in all of us. (And we mean that in a good way!)
- MSRP – $46,290
- Fuel Economy – 16 city / 24 highway
- Safety Features – Front, side, rear, head, knee air bags; Passenger sensing system; traction control
- Performance – 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds, top speed 137 mph
- Competition – Audi A8, BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ
- Pros – Very luxurious, smooth driving, lots of legroom
- Cons – Very large, lackluster fuel economy, difficult in tight spaces
- Unique Features – Rear park assist, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, NavTraffic
Cadillac SRX Crossover
The Cadillac SRX is a perfect option for someone who wants to adventure in comfort. With its luxurious interior and many available options, it lets you travel down back roads without feeling any of the bumps. The cabin is very quiet even at highway speeds, which allows you to easily hold conversations while on the road. It also boasts much more storage and higher ceilings than a typical sedan so you can load up the entire family and all their luggage. You can choose either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive depending on your needs.
- MSRP – $38,600
- Fuel Economy – 16 city / 23 highway
- Safety Features – Front, side, rear, head, knee air bags; Passenger sensing system; traction control
- Performance – 0 to 60 in 7.2 seconds, top speed 131 mph
- Competition – Jaguar F-Pace, Porsche Macan, BMW X3
- Pros – Lots of cargo space, luxurious interior, smooth ride
- Cons – Heavy, difficult to handle
- Unique Features – Roof rails, tire inflation kit, solar-ray tinted glass, rear pass-through seats
Cadillac Escalade / ESV
As arguably the most luxurious SUV on the market, the Cadillac Escalade is the perfect car for every family. The Escalade has room for 8 passengers and has a towing capacity of up to 8300 pounds. This is the vehicle to take all the kids for a weekend up at the lake cabin, and you can bring your boat with you. A large V8 engine with 420 horsepower and rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is an option. The Escalade has pickup-truck roots, and you can feel that from the ride and handling. The Cadillac Escalade can be packed with any additional feature you can dream of.
- MSRP – $73965
- Fuel Economy – 15 city / 21 highway
- Safety Features – Front, side, rear, head, knee air bags; Passenger sensing system; traction control; StabiliTrak rollover mitigation; Surround Vision
- Performance – 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds, top speeds 112 mph
- Competition – Land Rover Range Rover, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX
- Pros – Luxurious interior, tons of storage space, large towing capacity
- Cons – Heavy, poor fuel economy, rough ride
- Unique Features – Tire pressure monitoring, Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, Birdseye view of vehicle, solar absorbing windshield
Even though many people view Cadillac as an out-of-date car company that only sells huge cars for senior citizens, Cadillac has an impressive lineup of cars that outclass many of the top European luxury brands. It is evident from the glowing reviews of Cadillac’s current lineup that the classic American automaker is striving to get back to its roots and create the best luxury cars in the world. From the powerful and luxurious Escalade to the incredibly fast and sporty CTS-V, there’s a Cadillac for everyone. The hardest part is determining which Cadillac is best for you.
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