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Cadillac
Cadillac is the top-of-the-line luxury division of General MotorsCadillac - enlargeComplete Cadillac New Car Reviews listed below
Cadillac is the top-of-the-line luxury division of General Motors. The brand is currently doing well despite a history of mixed fortunes. Their lackluster sales have been helped by the introduction of the second generation 2008 CTS a mid-size luxury sedan which has been well received by both the automotive media and consumers.
Cadillac is the most prestigious of America's domestic luxury automakers. Its history dates back to 1902, when it was founded by Henry Martyn Leland, an automotive components manufacturer. The company was named after the 17th century French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, founder of Detroit, Michigan, in 1701. [1] Though the company's history has its share of financial ups (high point after World War II with its chrome-laden cars) and downs (gas crunch of the 1970s and un-competitive products in subsequent years), it has endured and changed with the times.
The current lineup starts out with luxury sedans. First up is the mid-size Cadillac CTS, which is available in two trim levels the V6 and V6 Direct Injection (MSRP $32,245 - $36,445). The CTS comes with a 304-horsepower, 3.6-liter, V6 engine. A powered-up version called the Cadillac CTS-V is also available and it comes with a 400-horsepower, 6-liter, V8 engine (MSRP $53,470).
Next is the full-size Cadillac STS Sport Sedan (MSRP $43,990 - $59,090), which is available in three trim levels (V6, V8 and Platinum). It comes standard with a 302-horsepower, 3.6-liter, V6 engine, or can be purchased with a 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter, V8 Northstar engine (MSRP $53,490). Both a six-speed automatic transmission and Rear-Wheel Drive are standard, but All-Wheel Drive is an option. And there is also a powered-up version of this as well, called the Cadillac STS-V Sedan (MSRP $80,690) which is available with a 469-horsepower, 4.4-liter, V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and a Rear-Wheel Drive system.
Next in the sedan lineup is the full-size Cadillac DTS (MSRP $43,490 - $57,480), which is available in three trim levels (V8, Performance, Platinum), and equipped with a 275-, or optional 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter, V8 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, and Front-Wheel Drive system.
Cadillac also offers a line of luxurious sport utility vehicles (SUV). First is the mid-size Cadillac SRX Crossover wagon, which is available in two trim levels the SRX V6 (MSRP $38,390) with a 255-horsepower, 3.6-liter, V6, or the SRX V8 (MSRP $45,390) with 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter, V8 engine. They come with a five- or six-speed automatic transmission, Rear-Wheel Drive, or an optional All-Wheel Drive system.
The company then offers the full-size Cadillac Escalade SUV, which is available in two trim levels. The first is the Rear-Wheel Drive trim level (MSRP $56,890) with a 403-horsepower, 6.2-liter, V8, a 6-speed automatic transmission and a wide range of safety features. The second trim level is the All-Wheel Drive ($59,390) with the same engine and similar features.
If the Escalade isn't large enough, consider the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV. It is even longer and it too comes in two trim levels the Rear-Wheel Drive (MSRP $59,390) and the All-Wheel Drive (MSRP $61,890) versions. Both have the same engine, transmission and safety feature packages as the standard Escalade.
If a flat bed is an important feature then look at the full-size Cadillac Escalade EXT, which is a crew-cab pickup truck version of the Escalade ESV. The EXT comes equipped with a 403-horsepower, 6.2-liter, V8 engine, a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission, and standard full-time, All-Wheel Drive.
Last, but not least, in the line are the automaker's convertible roadster models. First they offer the Cadillac XLR Roadster (MSRP $81,490) with a power retractable hardtop convertible roof. The XLR is based on the Chevrolet Corvette. A second trim level is offered called Cadillac XLR Platinum ($86,490), which is loaded with additional accessories. Both come with a 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter, V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and Rear-Wheel Drive. They also offer a powered-up version called the Cadillac XLR-V (MSRP $101,300), available in just one trim level, and comes equipped with a 443-horsepower, 4.4-liter, V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and Rear-Wheel Drive.
A look at the company's reliability ratings in ConsumerReports.org showed that the Cadillac CTS sedan received Excellent ratings for its engine, transmission, suspension, climate system, exhaust, brakes, and paint/trim; Very Good ratings for its squeaks and rattles, electrical system, and fuel system; Good ratings for its body hardware and audio system; and Fair ratings for its drive system and power equipment. In the SUV arena, the Cadillac SRX (V6) SUV received Excellent ratings for its engine, transmission, fuel system, electrical system, climate system, suspension, brakes, exhaust, and paint and trim; Very Good ratings for its drive system, power equipment, and audio system; Fair ratings for its drive system, audio system, and power equipment; and Poor ratings for its squeaks and rattles, and body hardware trouble spots.
Cadillacs are also equipped with lots of security and safety features, and have been tested and proven safe. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reflect that the 2008 Cadillac STS received four stars out of five in frontal driver and passenger crash tests, five stars out of five (two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive) in rollover tests, and four stars out of five (front) and five stars out of five in (rear) side crash tests. On the other hand, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade, SUV and EXT received five stars out of five in frontal driver and passenger crash tests, three stars out of five for two-wheel (excluding EXT) and four-wheel drive in rollover tests, and five stars out of five in side (front and rear seat) crash tests.
Cadillac prices are comparable to its competitors. Case in point, the 2008 Cadillac CTS MSRP ranging from $32,245 to $36,445 is close to that of competing models 2008 Buick Lucerne CXS (MSRP $36,510) and 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 Sport AWD (MSRP $34,440).
Depreciation-wise, the Cadillac CTS appears to drop in resale value slower than its Buick competitor, and at a faster pace than its Mercedes-Benz counterpart. A 2006 Cadillac CTS (MSRP $35,570) in 2008 now has a value in the $23,275-range, while a 2006 Buick Lucerne CXS (MSRP $34,265) and a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C Class Sport Sedan 4D C350 (MSRP $38,150) have resale values falling in the $17,925-range and $30,550-range, respectively.
Buyers may choose from a wide variety of packages and options to customize their Cadillac and can use the company's "Build Your Cadillac" website feature to get prices.
The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS has won a number of awards including the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year and 2008 Car and Driver 10Best Award. Future Cadillacs to watch for are the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V sedan, 2009 Cadillac BRX crossover vehicle, and 2010 Cadillac CTC coupe.
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