Editor's Overview
The 2018 Cadillac CTS gets a modest handful of upgrades, keeping this luxury sedan on pace with its German and Japanese rivals.
Pricing
Cars For Sale
KBB.com Expert Review
You'll Like This Car If...
The 2018 Cadillac CTS equals -- and in some cases surpasses -- its European and Japanese rivals. If you want your luxury to be uniquely red, white and blue, the Cadillac CTS is the way to go.
You May Not Like This Car If...
While the CTS has narrowed the gap, it doesn't have the same cachet as sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. If you want a wagon or coupe you're out of luck, and if you're looking for a smoother ride, you might want to check out the Lexus ES or Lincoln MKZ.
What's New for 2018
The 2018 Cadillac CTS is largely carryover. There's a new color, a panoramic sunroof is now available on V-Sport models, and there's an available automatic heated steering wheel.
Gallery
Specs
Fuel Economy
Performance
Seating Capacity
Cargo/Interior Space
Basic Warranty
Safety Ratings
Class Rankings
How does it compare?
| RANK | VEHICLE | HP |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 Dodge Charger | 485 |
| #2 | 2018 Kia Stinger | 365 |
| #3 | 2018 Jaguar XE | 340 |
| #4 | 2018 Cadillac ATS | 335 |
| #11 | 2018 Cadillac CTS | 268 |
| RANK | VEHICLE | MPG |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 BMW 3 Series | 71 |
| #2 | 2018 Jaguar XE | 36 |
| #3 | 2018 Audi A4 | 31 |
| #4 | 2018 Jaguar XF | 28 |
| #9 | 2018 Cadillac CTS | 25 |
| RANK | VEHICLE | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 Lincoln Continental | 9.8 |
| #2 | 2019 BMW 4 Series | 9.3 |
| #3 | 2018 Audi A4 | 9.3 |
| #4 | 2018 Dodge Charger | 9.2 |
| #5 | 2018 Cadillac CTS | 9.2 |
Consumer Reviews
Based on 24 ratings for the 2014 - 2018 models.
Kevin
March 26, 2018
Great car, awesome to drive.
Incredible driving experience for the money.
Rob
March 29, 2017
Best Car
This is the best car I have ever owned. I was looking for a BMW 5. The Cadillac dealer was next door to the BMW. I just stopped into...
NICKY THE DOG
December 17, 2016
LIKE A STEALTH BOMBER IN STYLE A DREAM TO DRIVE
YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE 2 DOOR CADILLAC CTS 4 IF YOU ENJOY LOOKS AND STRENGTH. THIS VEHICLE IS THE RIGHT SIZE WITH ENOUGH TOYS TO GET ANY...
JK
July 30, 2016
quicker and beter handeling than sports cars
4.5 sec 0-60 with no problem. Long drives staying out of the turbos I have achieved 27mpg; be ready to buy tires however it is worth...
DTW2LAX
June 15, 2016
The best Cadillac ever made,
I absolutely love this car. The turbo is surprisingly strong and responsive. The interior is superb, everything fits perfectly, no...
23yrold CTS Owner
May 03, 2016
Awesome and very good looking car. Great Interior!
I am 23years old and this is my first New car. I have to say I love everything about the CTS. The interior was far better than the...
Caddy girl
November 09, 2015
Caddy girl
Found this beauty while getting some repairs done on my XLR. Traded the XLR for the CTS-V. Faster than the XLR. Cool, classy and...
sweid
July 12, 2015
amazing driving experience
high tech features, so many features it takes weeks to examine and use. great fuel economy and exceptional handling and performance. V6...
Pete
June 27, 2015
Absolutely Beautiful car. Very quick for a V-6.
Installed K&N air filter, as no one makes a cold air induction pkg. for it YET! Very quick as is, and theres the rub. I always want to...
Hammy
June 08, 2015
Awesome
I wasn't a huge fan of the 1st and 2nd generations of the CTS but I really love the styling of this one, the third, both inside and out....
Similar Vehicles
KBB Editor's Overview
The 2018 Cadillac CTS is the sole domestic sedan capable of going head-to-head with the best from German and Japanese luxury automakers. Yet it's not a copy of those cars. Instead, it combines their strengths -- powerful engines, sharp handling and luxurious interiors -- with a uniquely American flavor. It's a combination that outpaces the Audi A6 and Lexus GS, and even fills the rearview mirrors of the BMW 5 Series. From the base model and its 4-cylinder engine to the mighty CTS-V (reviewed separately), the CTS lineup brims with luxury and technology, offering a nice balance of features, power, fuel economy and price. The range-topping 640-horsepower CTS-V takes the super-sedan fight straight to the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 63, but is covered separately.
You'll Like This Car If...
The 2018 Cadillac CTS equals -- and in some cases surpasses -- its European and Japanese rivals. If you want your luxury to be uniquely red, white and blue, the Cadillac CTS is the way to go.
You May Not Like This Car If...
While the CTS has narrowed the gap, it doesn't have the same cachet as sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. If you want a wagon or coupe you're out of luck, and if you're looking for a smoother ride, you might want to check out the Lexus ES or Lincoln MKZ.
What's New for 2018
The 2018 Cadillac CTS is largely carryover. There's a new color, a panoramic sunroof is now available on V-Sport models, and there's an available automatic heated steering wheel.
Driving It
Driving Impressions
The Cadillac CTS is based on the much smaller ATS sedan, yet despite the added size and weight, it feels unaffected. The agile handling inspires confidence, and conveys the correct impression that the CTS weighs less than many of its competitors. Opt for Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control and you can select how smooth the ride should be, or how glue-like you want it to stick to the pavement by controlling body lean and sway. While we prefer rear-wheel drive for fun, there's no denying the available all-wheel-drive system expands the all-weather capabilities of the CTS. You'd think the base 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder would be underwhelming, but the reality is it offers surprising acceleration and slightly better economy than the standard 3.6-liter V6.
Favorite Features
HIGH-TECH OFFERINGS
Cadillac doesn't skimp on technology in the 2018 CTS. In addition to the CUE infotainment system, there's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The CTS also features a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless phone charging, and even a system to monitor your teen's driving habits.
CTS EQUITY
Back in 2002, the then-new Cadillac CTS carried the return of GM's luxury division on its back with style, winning comparison tests between it and some of its best rivals from Europe. Cadillac has been very aware of -- and successfully nurtured -- this luxury sedan's reputation.
Vehicle Details
Interior
Cadillac’s CTS interior features premium materials, world-class assembly quality and high-tech touches. Virtually everything is soft-touch and covered in leather, although base models get Leatherette (as do base models from Europe). The inviting ambiance is also as uniquely American as the exterior. The same is true for the rear seat, but be warned: There's a shortage of legroom compared to its primary rivals. Cadillac's CUE entertainment system has improved remarkably over the years, and its quick response and seamless integration with iPhones and Android devices are second to one. Our favorite over-the-top touch: a power sliding cover for the cup holders.
Exterior
The sharp creases, rippled hood and prominently geometric grille on the 2018 Cadillac CTS stand in sharp contrast -- literally -- to the softer curves of its European rivals. It stands out for all the right reasons, looking distinctive and luxurious, but also uniquely American. Cool exterior details include grille shutters that pragmatically close to help improve aerodynamics and fuel economy, and we particularly like the seamless aluminum trim around the side windows. At the rear, all CTS sedans feature dual-exhaust outlets.
Notable Standard Equipment
There are five trim levels for the 2018 Cadillac CTS sedan: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, V-Sport and V-Sport Premium Luxury. The base model comes standard with the 2.0-liter turbo engine connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Also standard are things that are optional on many competitors, such as keyless entry, push-button start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a solid-sounding 11-speaker Bose audio system with three USB inputs. CUE also doubles as a screen for the rearview camera, there's dual-zone climate control, and OnStar with 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi, and wireless charging for phones that can use it.
Notable Optional Equipment
A variety of upgrades awaits 2018 Cadillac CTS buyers. You can add navigation, leather seating with heated and ventilated fronts, adaptive cruise control, and a fully electronic instrument display to replace the standard needles-and-dials. There's also 3-zone automatic climate control, different styles of wood trim, adaptive cruise control, and a bird's-eye-view 360 monitor. Magnetic Ride Control improves handling remarkably without hurting the ride, and the Rear Camera Mirror provides a much wider view than the standard mirror. The Driver Awareness Package vibrates the seat when the car starts drifting out of a lane, or gets too close to an object when parking.
Under the Hood
The base engine on the 2018 Cadillac CTS is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That compares nicely to the mid-level engine, a 3.6-liter V6 with 335 horsepower, but 285 lb-ft of torque. Both are offered with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). All models use the same 8-speed automatic transmission, and it's a gem, responding quickly to the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
268 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg (RWD), 21/29 mpg (AWD)
3.6-liter V6
335 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
285 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (RWD), 19/27 mpg (AWD)
Pricing Notes
A 4-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive 2018 Cadillac CTS begins with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $47,300, including the $995 destination charge. All-wheel drive adds about $2,000 on models where it's available. Those prices are solidly competitive with the Audi A6 lineup, and thousands less than a BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Jaguar XF and Infiniti Q70. Even the Acura RLX and Lexus GS start slightly higher than the CTS. Before you purchase, check out the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new Cadillac CTS and to help you get the best deal. The Cadillac's resale value is expected to be about average in this segment, trailing the standout Lexus GS.
