2013 Cadillac XTS4 - Not your father's Cadillac

"Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib)
08/18/2013 at 20:36 • Filed to: Cadillac, XTS, reviews, WillAlibrandi

In the recent past, large sedans from Cadillac had a reputation for being comfortable cars that floated along comfortably but were not very engaging or exciting to drive. The new XTS plans to change all that with a sharper, more responsive driving experience while still maintaining the amenities and comforts Cadillacs have been known for.

Externally, the XTS carries the current Cadillac styling elements of the prominent grille, vertical headlights and taillights, and sharply creases sheetmetal. The new XTS replaces the STS and DTS sedans, and has a detuned version of the direct-injected 3.6 liter V6 from the current CTS good for 304hp and 264 lb-ft torque. The V6 motivates the 4000lb car from 0-60 in 7.3 seconds (Edmunds’ data) which is adequate for the segment, but hardly competitive with similarly priced lux sedans. (This has been addressed with a 420hp twin-turbo variant of the 3.6 available on the 2014 XTS) The standard powertrain is FWD with power routing through a six-speed automatic; AWD is standard on the XTS4. EPA rating for the AWD XTS is 17mpg city, 26mpg highway and 20mpg combined.

The test vehicle is the XTS AWD Premium Collection, which has a base price of $55,810 and a total MSRP of $59,625 accounting for the driver assist package and 20" alloy wheels. By comparison, the base FWD car starts at $44,075 while the base AWD car starts at $50,915.

The XTS is available in four trim levels: base, Luxury Collection, Premium Collection and Platinum Collection. Standard equipment for the base XTS is quite extensive and includes 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, xenon headlamps, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats (with power lumbar control), a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and leather/faux-suede upholstery. Standard electronic features include Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, an 8-inch center touchscreen, OnStar and an eight-speaker Bose sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio, iPod/USB connectivity and an auxiliary input.

The XTS Luxury Collection adds a heated steering wheel, driver memory functions, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, interior ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and rain-sensing wipers. The Premium Collection package builds on those offerings with adaptive headlamps, a head-up display, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 110-volt power outlet, a navigation system, voice controls, a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system and a suite of safety features that include blind spot detection, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and front collision alert. Finally, the Platinum Collection offers 20-inch wheels, unique exterior styling, a sunroof, a power rear sunshade and additional cabin leather trim. Optional for the Premium and Platinum is the Driver Assist package, which includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed automatic braking.

Standard safety equipment is extensive, and includes antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control, front- and rear-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. OnStar is also standard which includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation. Optional safety features include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert and a vibrating driver seat that alerts the driver to an impending collision on either side of the vehicle.

The technical highlight is Cadillac’s CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system, which integrates phone, audio, navigation and OnStar functions in an 8-inch touchscreen display. The system is fairly intuitive, but some more involved functions will require referring to the manual. Instead of knobs or buttons, the CUE system uses touchplates and live areas on the screen with haptic feedback that responds with a small vibration when controls are activated. This may be a bit disconcerting for traditional Cadillac owners, but the new buyers that Cadillac is hoping to draw in to the XTS will feel more at home with the technology. Cadillac has included a reconfigurable virtual gauge cluster similar to that used by Jaguar in its XJ sedan, which is an interesting injection of electroluminescent technology.

The XTS is a full-size sedan with no shortage of legroom front and back. Additionally, its trunk offers 18 cubic feet of capacity. At nearly 17 feet long and 6 feet wide, the XTS is certainly a big car but manages to escape the big-car feel behind the wheel. Cadillac’s adaptive suspension, crisp steering and sharp throttle response combine to give the feel of a smaller car like the CTS. Highway driving shows the XTS to be impressively quiet while providing a firm but comfortable ride. The only true knock against the car is its standard power, which is adequate at best. Buyers wanting more power that can resist the early-adopter urge will be rewarded by the availability of a twin-turbo V6 in the 2014 XTS rated at 420hp. In sum, the XTS is a quantum leap ahead from the cars it’s designed to replace, and a solid value worthy of the Cadillac crest.

DISCUSSION (26)

dogisbadob > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/18/2013 at 20:39

Too bad there's no XTS-V

Also, the interior looks kind of cheap. With a tan interior, the black parts should be brown.

Leadbull > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/18/2013 at 20:40

Nice polo.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Leadbull
08/18/2013 at 20:41

Wut?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > dogisbadob
08/18/2013 at 20:43

The 2014 XTS has a 420hp twin turbo 3.6 - probably the closest we'll ever see to an XTS-V. The interior was quite comfy; the two-tone leather was more of a chocolate color with tan.

Leadbull > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/18/2013 at 20:49

Always check your rear view mirror.

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/18/2013 at 21:02

IMO this is completely your grandfathers cadillac. Bloated FWD V6, even with AWD and the twin turbo's coming up it still be front biased. It doesn't even start to compete with the S-class or A8 which is what a Cadillac of this size should be doing. Cadillac needs to stop making stopgap products, they're not doing themselves any justice. All I can think when I see this is "nice Impala".

Obviously they can do much better.

Kinja'd!!!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/18/2013 at 21:39

Cadillac is coming out with a range-topping sedan which will compete with the S-class. Base price on the XTS is 44k - which doesn't compete with a 90k Mercedes.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Leadbull
08/18/2013 at 21:40

Oh. Ha! Missed that one..

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/18/2013 at 21:58

Its the current big caddy ... it should compete with the S-class. The new flagship cannot come soon enough as far as I'm concerned. I hope the XTS lives a great selling, short lived life.

Sorry I'm normally not this much of a downer but this screams old GM to me.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/18/2013 at 22:21

Not when the price point is almost $50k apart. This would be an E-class competitor I'd think. I really didn't think I'd like the car, considering how old Caddys were but after spending a week driving it I was converted. That's not to say it's perfect - far from it but a damn sight better than what Cadillac used to build. Can't wait to get me mitts on the TT version.

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/18/2013 at 22:34

Sorry but we're not going to agree on this topic. The E-class/5-series competitor is the CTS, the XTS is classic doing what they could with what they had. I'm sure its a "good" car, just like in the same way a Accord is. But when the other cars they make strive to be the best in class next to the top luxury brands, its just not up to snuff.

This is a very fitting image to me ....

Kinja'd!!!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/19/2013 at 08:50

I get what you're saying, but at the same time do you really think a car with a base price of $44k is any competitor to a car with a $92k base?

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/19/2013 at 09:40

Nope, which is exactly why I said "it should compete with the S-class." I think if they are trying to be world class, they should be world class.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/19/2013 at 10:28

That's just not reasonable to expect two cars priced so far apart to be competitors. Which brings us back to the coming sedan, possibly based on the Elmiraj concept. If any Cadillac is going to compete with a $90k+ Mercedes, that would be it. This new car would be the Cadillac flagship, and priced accordingly.

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/19/2013 at 10:58

Your missing what I'm saying, I do not by any means expect the XTS and the S-class to compete because quite clearly the XTS isn't as good and like you've stated 3 times, half the price.

I'm saying the the XTS should not of even existed and they should of just made the new flagship sedan. I can't see Audi going out and making stretched Passat their new big sedan anytime soon, they would be considered a joke. So why can Cadillac get away with it? The XTS will only ever be a stopgap product IMO.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/19/2013 at 11:27

Here's the thing, when you make a statement like "It doesn't even start to compete with the S-class or A8 which is what a Cadillac of this size should be doing" how else can that be construed? The inference is that it should be competing directly, which it clearly doesn't because of the different in price point. If you say the XTS shouldn't have existed, I can't really argue that because that's your opinion. To me, there's no reason why the XTS shouldn't exist especially in light of the rumors about a new flagship sedan that will compete fairly with full size Audis, MB, BMW etc. Honest question - have you driven the XTS to support your opinion?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/19/2013 at 11:39

Here's the thing, when your opening statement is "It doesn't even start to compete with the S-class or A8 which is what a Cadillac of this size should be doing" how else can that be construed besides those two cars are direct competitors to the XTS? (which of course they're not)

If you say the XTS shouldn't exist I can't argue that because it's clearly your opinion, which can't be right or wrong. If the rumored uber-lux Cadillac sedan does appear then that will compete directly with the A8/MB and the XTS will just be there to flesh out the product line. If that makes it a stopgap then that's prob what the product planning guys at Cadillac intended(?)

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/19/2013 at 15:10

As far as my opening statement is concerned, I went on right after that calling it a stop gap which I thought would imply that a product that could actually Compete with those cars is on the way. Also not long after that i put up a picture of it with a big acura from a comparison.
Have I driven it? No but I have been in it. And I feel like that is a silly question to ask anyways. Because your implying I cannot form an opinion on entire brands such as skoda or alfa Romeo.

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/19/2013 at 15:10

Milky > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/19/2013 at 15:32

Sorry for 2 posts, mobile limited the text.

I'm sure it's a good car, I'm not arguing that. I'm just upset that Cadillac would make a car like this when they are trying incredibly hard with the ATS and CTS. I am eagerly awaiting a proper flagship.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/19/2013 at 15:49

No worries, Kinja is being a PITA today to boot.

I think it's a good car, not great but quite good. The twin turbo version should correct the only glaring deficiency I saw after driving one for a week. I too am curious to see what they come up with next, and if the flagship ends up looking anything like the Elmiraj (sans that goofy name) I bet they'd have a winner.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Milky
08/19/2013 at 15:52

Me too; I hope a convertible is in the works as well.

johnny50 > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
11/20/2013 at 20:32

johmmy@aol - I own a 2006 BMW 750i. Bought it new in '06. I have put 140,000 miles on it. Fabulous road car. Costs $77,000 new. The 2014 models similiarly equipped costs $100,000.00. I also have an BMW X5, my wife drives a Saab, and I have a '66 Olds Toronado. I went out to drive the 2014 XTS4 Twin Turbo. The car costs $62,000, and the dealer is willing to discount the MSRP. I am telling you, that car is a great drive, with a really comfortable interior. No, its not quite as refined in its driving manners as my 750i, but that twin turbo can make that car blast off. The comparable walk out price of an Audi A8 (which I am seriously considering), BMW 7 Series, and M-B S Class is nearly $40,000 more. I have driven German Sedans for 25 years, loved them all (except for when they go in for repairs-ouch!), but I am having a hard time seeing $40,000 more car in the German Sedans. My big concern is whether the XTS will look dated after only a few years. GM revises the body of its cars often, which dates their cars very quickly. But there is still that $40,000 price difference?

johnny50 > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
11/20/2013 at 20:32

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > johnny50
11/20/2013 at 21:17

Cadillac's Art & Science design has been around for a while now, and the XTS is the best looking example of that theme IMHO. I don't see it looking dated anytime soon. As far as justifying the 40k difference in MSRP, I'd have a hard time with that after reviewing the A8L and S350 as nice as they are.