I bought one of these in 2014. I still have it. I love this car! I’ve test drove some new Cadillac’s but can’t find anything I like better than this car. Luxury and performance are equally true to this car.
Cadillac needs to fire its head of marketing. They are making the best performance cars in every category but the sales aren't coming through. It is 100% a brand perception problem. Quality is great, reliability is good, styling is perfect yet they can't sell cars - and when they do its at huge discounts.
I remember back in summer 2014 when Cadillac was doing the prelaunch test drive (10 to 14 CTS going up and down Peachtree for about 2 hours) through Atlanta on Peachtree Rd. I was in my company van and admiring how sharp they looked. I followed them through traffic and got the opportunity to speak with a Cadillac executive. I ask him with puzzled look on my face “For as sharp as these cars are... Why do the CTS’s not sell like they should?”... He said, “We can’t figure it out either.” I said to myself they have a big problem marketing to the US. There is a stigma that Cadillac just can’t shake. It didn’t deter me from recently purchasing a preowned 2014 CTS Vsport. I really like this car. It reminds of my 99 BMW 528 touring wagon in its driving characteristics. Very balanced handling and firm suspension. Cadillac has nailed it with styling, interior and details. If they figure out the marketing aspect they’ll start finishing in the Top 5 in sales.
Issue perhaps GM pricing out normal folk to cater to a segment of buyers that happy to pay EXORBITANT AMOUNT ON EURO MYSTIQUE + inflated feeling of exclusivity regardless of quality, price etc. Hollywood caused Cadillac stigma to get burned. Displayed mafia, pimps, dope dealer, vets, funerals (proud to support American folk) in the 50's- 90's using the car. I say screw those balloon heads with no loyalty. Buy COPO enjoy the ride. .
Issue perhaps GM pricing out normal folk to cater to a segment of buyers that happy to pay EXORBITANT AMOUNT ON EURO MYSTIQUE + inflated feeling of exclusivity regardless of quality, price etc. Hollywood caused Cadillac stigma to get burned. Displayed mafia, pimps, dope dealer, vets, funerals (proud to support American folk) in the 50's- 90's using the car. I say screw those balloon heads with no loyalty. Buy COPO enjoy the ride.
I am myself not a huge Caddie fan, but I really like the looks of this one. The seats look like they could use some better bolstering. Other than that, well done Caddie
VSport owner here…spot on with all the goodies, but the cue works great once you go a bit and know where the selectors are, though I could see where it could alienate people. The comment about the distracting gauges is ridiculous…you clearly don’t change them on the road or once you dial it in. Nice comprehensive review quickly though. Lot of good detail without pontificating
The Cadillac may seem to be costly but if you look at its competition and feature-to-feature, the Cadillac still undercuts them by a few thousand dollars. The CTS is now a full fledged midsize sports sedan on an equal keel with Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS, and etc. The CTS has an interior quality, high quality fit and finish, styling, driving dynamics and etc that matches or in many ways exceed the competition. So I have no problem plucking down over $70,000 for a car. Too the general public, the image is not quite there but this is a fantastic car. If the car does everything you want and it exceeds your expectations, the image factor is not that important. The image will come when GM start getting consistency across the brand and could take the next decade or so for Cadillac to be on an equal footing with its more prestigious competitors.
That twin turbo in a smaller, lighter ATS should be a beast. Caddy said they'll replace the current CTS-V competing in the Pirelli World Challenge with the ATS coupe with the twin turbo 6. So, it's safe to say that there will be a production ATS-V with that engine.
These cars have aged extremely well over the years. The rear could look more exciting, but the front is downright gorgeous & the interior still looks modern & better looking than the current CT5 IMO! My boss bought a lightly used 2019 CTS 2.0t which replaced his 2004 Acura TL, but I would go for at least the NA V6 or even the V-Sport if I could afford it. I own one of its competitors, a 2016 Lexus GS350 F-Sport that I bought in June 2020 which has been an absolutely amazing & very reliable car so far, but would have looked into buying a used CTS if they were reliable in the long run like a Lexus.
I actually find the back seats pretty ample; it is the width of the cabin that is a smidgen below class expectations. The car is gorgeous from the front, pretty from the sides and in offensive from the rear -- a definite league above terribly ugly American entries like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger/Challenger, Mustang and Camaro. I'll say this is the sleekest looking car compared to the Lexus, E-class and the Audi A6 from the front at least. The VSport's engine pulls and drives just fine (coming from a 5.0 Supercharged Jaguar XF). The engine sounds "enhanced" by the speakers is bullshit though. I don;t mind GM doing that given that there are enough people who actually go out and get mufflers replaced to make their cars sound like that. But, I wish there is an option to DISABLE the stereo based sound enhancement. I like very fast and very quiet. Handling is superlative. The ATS and the CTS beats the entire world on this front. Suspension calibration is perfect. Balance is fantastic. Steering is telepathic. And, yes, feedback is extremely communicative without being the slightest bit harsh. Take the E36 M3, take away the rattles and give it a cushier ride on the freeway while keeping every bit of the handling in the twistiest and you have the ATS or the CTS. The CTS even feels like 3200 lbs when it is anything but. CUE is RETARDED though. If Caddy would have stuck with the previous Gen center console it'll be a better car. The glossy plastic console is full of finger prints. The electric shock touch feedback and the act of sliding your fingers back and forth on glossy plastic makes for the worst tactile feel in the world. They even managed to screw up a touch screen -- PUT THE BACK AND/OR SHORTCUT ICONS IN THE SAME PLACE ONE EVERY SUB SCREEN PLEASE! And the UI is over embellished with colors and animations which are both distracting and slow as crap (given the weak assed processor they have running it). If you think Microsoft Windows sucks, you have tried CUE. But, once you get used to it, yes, you can get to the functions you need and do the things they do. You'll never like interacting with CUE but you can get things done. My advise to Caddy... (1) FIRE THE GUY / TEAM who designed CUE. Better yet, pay any one of them a million dollar bonus if they can get a job with the competition and stay there for 5 years! Oh, boy, that'll hurt so bad. (2) Buy an iPhone for your engineers and have your guys learn UI design from Apple. (3) That shinny plastic console panel has got to go -- either go to a full touch screen (ala Tesla) or have physical switchs and knobs. (4) If you want fancy, try physically switches and knobs with dynamic labeling via dot matrix OLEDs behind each button and knob.
I want to love this car SO MUCH!!! But every (and yes, every) time I've sat in a new CTS/ATS with CUE at the dealership, they've all (yes all) had problems right from the moment I started touching buttons. So, so awful. Come on, GM!!!
You don't like to blow your own horn? No, you just like to offer an opinion of how other people should spend their money. Honestly, I'm not sure why anyone would laugh at someone that bought a particular car. I fully understand that BMW is no longer a real drivers car.....it's heading in the direction of a Lexus. I also don't see the value anymore in what you get for a BMW. But, I'd never laugh at a BMW buyer. It's their money, and their perspective. My advice to you is to seek personal growth.
They could have really made the new CTS something but then they had to royally screw up the backseats. Unacceptable, especially for the money they are asking. Lots of crap to break down the road too that are going to be fun to fix out of warranty like CUE and that stupid motorized cupholder cover.
I bought one of these in 2014. I still have it. I love this car! I’ve test drove some new Cadillac’s but can’t find anything I like better than this car. Luxury and performance are equally true to this car.
Cadillac needs to fire its head of marketing. They are making the best performance cars in every category but the sales aren't coming through. It is 100% a brand perception problem. Quality is great, reliability is good, styling is perfect yet they can't sell cars - and when they do its at huge discounts.
I remember back in summer 2014 when Cadillac was doing the prelaunch test drive (10 to 14 CTS going up and down Peachtree for about 2 hours) through Atlanta on Peachtree Rd. I was in my company van and admiring how sharp they looked. I followed them through traffic and got the opportunity to speak with a Cadillac executive. I ask him with puzzled look on my face “For as sharp as these cars are... Why do the CTS’s not sell like they should?”... He said, “We can’t figure it out either.” I said to myself they have a big problem marketing to the US. There is a stigma that Cadillac just can’t shake. It didn’t deter me from recently purchasing a preowned 2014 CTS Vsport. I really like this car. It reminds of my 99 BMW 528 touring wagon in its driving characteristics. Very balanced handling and firm suspension. Cadillac has nailed it with styling, interior and details. If they figure out the marketing aspect they’ll start finishing in the Top 5 in sales.
Issue perhaps GM pricing out normal folk to cater to a segment of buyers that happy to pay EXORBITANT AMOUNT ON EURO MYSTIQUE + inflated feeling of exclusivity regardless of quality, price etc. Hollywood caused Cadillac stigma to get burned. Displayed mafia, pimps, dope dealer, vets, funerals (proud to support American folk) in the 50's- 90's using the car. I say screw those balloon heads with no loyalty. Buy COPO enjoy the ride. .
Issue perhaps GM pricing out normal folk to cater to a segment of buyers that happy to pay EXORBITANT AMOUNT ON EURO MYSTIQUE + inflated feeling of exclusivity regardless of quality, price etc. Hollywood caused Cadillac stigma to get burned. Displayed mafia, pimps, dope dealer, vets, funerals (proud to support American folk) in the 50's- 90's using the car. I say screw those balloon heads with no loyalty. Buy COPO enjoy the ride.
You always give the most unbiased and true reviews........kudos...cant wait for the V models to hit the market....
Glad you find them helpful. Thanks, Lance.
I am myself not a huge Caddie fan, but I really like the looks of this one. The seats look like they could use some better bolstering. Other than that, well done Caddie
VSport owner here…spot on with all the goodies, but the cue works great once you go a bit and know where the selectors are, though I could see where it could alienate people. The comment about the distracting gauges is ridiculous…you clearly don’t change them on the road or once you dial it in. Nice comprehensive review quickly though. Lot of good detail without pontificating
own a vsport as well, no issues, and yes you cant change the gauges without the car being in park...
That interior is beautiful man
The Cadillac may seem to be costly but if you look at its competition and feature-to-feature, the Cadillac still undercuts them by a few thousand dollars. The CTS is now a full fledged midsize sports sedan on an equal keel with Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS, and etc. The CTS has an interior quality, high quality fit and finish, styling, driving dynamics and etc that matches or in many ways exceed the competition. So I have no problem plucking down over $70,000 for a car.
Too the general public, the image is not quite there but this is a fantastic car. If the car does everything you want and it exceeds your expectations, the image factor is not that important. The image will come when GM start getting consistency across the brand and could take the next decade or so for Cadillac to be on an equal footing with its more prestigious competitors.
Nice car and nice review Steve!
That twin turbo in a smaller, lighter ATS should be a beast. Caddy said they'll replace the current CTS-V competing in the Pirelli World Challenge with the ATS coupe with the twin turbo 6. So, it's safe to say that there will be a production ATS-V with that engine.
Nice little drift you got there
Steve your reviews are by far the best. I got one question when is the new CTS-V coming out?
Hi, Thomas. Mid-2015 as a 2016 model. Coupe and Wagon are dead.
Thank you :). I can understand the wagon going but i'm shocked the coupe is dead oh well at lease we still have the sedan
These cars have aged extremely well over the years. The rear could look more exciting, but the front is downright gorgeous & the interior still looks modern & better looking than the current CT5 IMO! My boss bought a lightly used 2019 CTS 2.0t which replaced his 2004 Acura TL, but I would go for at least the NA V6 or even the V-Sport if I could afford it. I own one of its competitors, a 2016 Lexus GS350 F-Sport that I bought in June 2020 which has been an absolutely amazing & very reliable car so far, but would have looked into buying a used CTS if they were reliable in the long run like a Lexus.
I really like this car.
I actually find the back seats pretty ample; it is the width of the cabin that is a smidgen below class expectations. The car is gorgeous from the front, pretty from the sides and in offensive from the rear -- a definite league above terribly ugly American entries like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger/Challenger, Mustang and Camaro. I'll say this is the sleekest looking car compared to the Lexus, E-class and the Audi A6 from the front at least.
The VSport's engine pulls and drives just fine (coming from a 5.0 Supercharged Jaguar XF). The engine sounds "enhanced" by the speakers is bullshit though. I don;t mind GM doing that given that there are enough people who actually go out and get mufflers replaced to make their cars sound like that. But, I wish there is an option to DISABLE the stereo based sound enhancement. I like very fast and very quiet.
Handling is superlative. The ATS and the CTS beats the entire world on this front. Suspension calibration is perfect. Balance is fantastic. Steering is telepathic. And, yes, feedback is extremely communicative without being the slightest bit harsh. Take the E36 M3, take away the rattles and give it a cushier ride on the freeway while keeping every bit of the handling in the twistiest and you have the ATS or the CTS. The CTS even feels like 3200 lbs when it is anything but.
CUE is RETARDED though. If Caddy would have stuck with the previous Gen center console it'll be a better car. The glossy plastic console is full of finger prints. The electric shock touch feedback and the act of sliding your fingers back and forth on glossy plastic makes for the worst tactile feel in the world. They even managed to screw up a touch screen -- PUT THE BACK AND/OR SHORTCUT ICONS IN THE SAME PLACE ONE EVERY SUB SCREEN PLEASE! And the UI is over embellished with colors and animations which are both distracting and slow as crap (given the weak assed processor they have running it). If you think Microsoft Windows sucks, you have tried CUE. But, once you get used to it, yes, you can get to the functions you need and do the things they do. You'll never like interacting with CUE but you can get things done. My advise to Caddy... (1) FIRE THE GUY / TEAM who designed CUE. Better yet, pay any one of them a million dollar bonus if they can get a job with the competition and stay there for 5 years! Oh, boy, that'll hurt so bad. (2) Buy an iPhone for your engineers and have your guys learn UI design from Apple. (3) That shinny plastic console panel has got to go -- either go to a full touch screen (ala Tesla) or have physical switchs and knobs. (4) If you want fancy, try physically switches and knobs with dynamic labeling via dot matrix OLEDs behind each button and knob.
Wow...$60-70k? It's up there...
I want to love this car SO MUCH!!! But every (and yes, every) time I've sat in a new CTS/ATS with CUE at the dealership, they've all (yes all) had problems right from the moment I started touching buttons. So, so awful. Come on, GM!!!
Some things should be copied. Just do infotainment like the Germans.....
chigasaki06 That's the VERY last place a company should look for electronics inspiration.
TestDriveNow.com featuring Drive Time with Steve Hammes Lol, good point.
Uconnect is the best in the biz
no they dont, have owned 5 Caddies with cue only 1 had an issue and at that point he car had 40000 miles on it...
If I bought one of these, friends would laughing behind my back. This is a "more money than taste" kind of car
I say just ignore your friends and enjoy the car. It's your money if that time comes. lol
johnls39 But, i think this car is laughable, and I would laugh at any one who bought one
Yeah, you're so smart and superior. What a turd.
Steve Bostic I don't like to blow my own horn. I hate accolades. I'm not worthy, but thanks friend
You don't like to blow your own horn? No, you just like to offer an opinion of how other people should spend their money. Honestly, I'm not sure why anyone would laugh at someone that bought a particular car. I fully understand that BMW is no longer a real drivers car.....it's heading in the direction of a Lexus. I also don't see the value anymore in what you get for a BMW. But, I'd never laugh at a BMW buyer. It's their money, and their perspective.
My advice to you is to seek personal growth.
hate that brown interior but everything else is great
They could have really made the new CTS something but then they had to royally screw up the backseats. Unacceptable, especially for the money they are asking. Lots of crap to break down the road too that are going to be fun to fix out of warranty like CUE and that stupid motorized cupholder cover.
well here we are 7 years later with a ctsv sport and its never been back to the shop....and the cupholder still works...
I don't like the way it looks!!
$71k? No sir. I'll have an E class.
Sorry, I just can't see why anyone would want to own this god-awful looking expensive car.