Used 2018 Cadillac XTS

Slotting between the larger CT6 and the sporty CTS, the 2018 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan fills a gap left by the aging DTS, a car that was popular with many longtime Cadillac customers. The XTS is a big sedan celebrating luxury and comfort over razor-sharp handling, cramped rear quarters and overly snug seats. As such, the XTS is a wonderful rival to such cars as the Volvo S90 and Lexus GS. Of course, the 2018 XTS is loaded with all of Cadillac’s best creature comforts, as well as the latest active-safety assists. Its twin-turbocharged V6 is a potent reminder not every car needs a V8, yet its front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout precludes it from keeping pace with many rear-drive competitors. Opt for all-wheel drive (AWD).

Demonstrating a nice blend of ride comfort and road prowess, Cadillac’s XTS sedan for 2018 feels most settled when cruising over long stretches of open highway. Both passengers and driver will experience a quiet cabin, wide comfortable seating and sense of serenity that comes from numerous electronic driver assists. Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control is standard equipment and does a marvelous job instantaneously quelling road blemishes and uneven pavement. While the XTS’s standard 304-horspower V6 can get the job done, you’ll find the XTS feels more alive when equipped with the optional twin-turbocharged V6 developing 410 horsepower. This engine is standard on the V-Sport models. Stopping power is provided by a set of hefty Brembo brakes. The XTS performs well on the open road, but its size becomes more obvious once you get into smaller, city-sized confines.

One of the XTS’s best attributes is its spacious, 5-passenger cabin. There is generous legroom in the front and back, and it’s easy to get comfortable in the standard leather seats. At 18 cubic feet, the trunk is huge. If more space is needed, the Cadillac XTS’s rear seats fold in a 60/40 split. New foam in the front seats improves comfort while resisting fatigue, and the power-adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel and easy-to-grab shift lever feel terrific. However, we’re not so hot on the touch-based audio, information and climate-command system that can be finicky for your fingers to operate.

The 2018 Cadillac XTS has the angular, wedge-like profile of its CTS and ATS sedan siblings, but is longer and taller. That last trait, with the elongated window frame at the rear pillar, makes the XTS awkward to our eyes. A new front end mimics the CT6, bringing LED headlights and a one-inch reduction in length. At 201 inches, the XTS is substantially larger than would-be rivals like the Audi A6, and is only slightly shorter than Cadillac’s new flagship CT6. Platinum models bring even more bling with a chrome-accented grille.

DRIVER AWARENESS PACKAGE
With all the distractions facing drivers these days, it’s nice to have a little help in the form of forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and more. The XTS’s safety features include a pulsating driver’s seat that warns of a possible collision from the left, right or both directions.

DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY
The new, next-generation Cadillac User Experience (CUE) provides faster response times, cloud-based features allowing for better customization as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi and wireless charging for compatible phones.

The Cadillac XTS is offered in a half-dozen trims, ranging from the base model to the V-Sport Platinum. No matter the model, you’ll get quite a bit for your money. Highlights include a V6 engine, magnetic-ride control, 19-inch wheels, leather interior, dual-zone climate control, universal garage remote and high-intensity headlights. The standard CUE infotainment system includes an 8-inch screen that controls climate functions and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. A rearview camera is also standard, as are parking sensors. Cadillac’s fully transferable Premium Care Maintenance includes three years/36,000 miles of service.

Excluding the base trim, AWD is optional on XTS models with the standard V6, and is standard on V-Sport variants. Other options include heated/ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, navigation, 22-way power-adjustable front seats with massage function, rear-window and side-window sun shades, panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and tri-zone climate control. Audio buffs will enjoy the 14-speaker Bose sound system, but if you want a CD player it’s considered optional. In addition to the safety systems mentioned in "Favorite Things," there’s adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking. If we could recommend only one trim, it’d be the one-rung-up Luxury model.

Two engine choices remain available in the Cadillac XTS luxury sedan. Base models use a 3.6-liter, direct-injected V6 that produces 304 horsepower. Those seeking more oomph should look to the AWD XTS V-Sport that boasts a twin-turbocharged V6 boosting pony count appreciably to 410 horsepower. The base engine can be had with all-wheel drive instead of the standard front-wheel drive, while turbo models come exclusively with all-wheel drive. The AWD in the XTS uses Haldex technology and a limited-slip differential to transfer power front-to-back and side-to-side. It’s helpful in Snowbelt states where traction can be compromised. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The standard V6 runs on regular unleaded, while the turbo requires premium fuel.

3.6-liter V6
304 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
264 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 mpg (FWD), 17/26 mpg (AWD)

3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (V-Sport)
410 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900-5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg