2019 Cadillac CTS Review

Name: 2019 Cadillac CTS Review
Brand: Cadillac
Price: 21163 USD

Cadillac CTS Luxury Sedan Exterior Shown

Cadillac CTS V-Sport Premium Luxury Sedan Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byCalvin Kim^{Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

All versions have precise handling
V-Sport engine offers outstanding acceleration

Cons

Base engine lacks refinement
Touch-panel center console controls are distracting
Rear-seat room is smaller than some competitors'
Overly firm ride quality on some versions

What's new

No significant changes for 2019
Part of the third CTS generation introduced for 2014

Although a lot of car shoppers are gravitating more toward crossovers these days, luxury sedans remain essential vehicles for many manufacturers. The 2019 Cadillac CTS is indicative of that, and it features traits Cadillac wants to be known for: unmistakable design, sporty driving characteristics and modern in-car technology. It all comes together to create a compelling driver's vehicle that can compete with luxury sedans from overseas.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$217/mo

$219/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Like the competition, the CTS is available with multiple engine options. You can prioritize fuel efficiency with the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine or get smooth performance with a more powerful V6. Want even more? Opt for the CTS V-Sport to get a twin-turbo V6 that produces 420 horsepower and pulls hard no matter your speed.

There are a few minor downsides to the CTS. While we like the CTS' sport-oriented handling, it can come at the cost of having an overly firm ride quality. This isn't a pillow-ride Caddy of old. Also, the CTS is one of the older designs in the midsize sedan class, so you might find its interior styling to be a little dated and the infotainment system's touch interface distracting to use. On the whole, though, we think there's a lot to like about the 2019 Cadillac CTS.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Cadillac CTS as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize Sedans for this year.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

The CTS is a midsize sport sedan with outstanding dynamics. It handles and steers well enough to rival some sports cars, and there's ample thrust from the optional turbo V6. But CTS' ride quality skews too much to the "sport" side, and the infotainment interface isn't great.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Cadillac CTS V-Sport Premium Sedan (turbo 3.6L V6 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current CTS has received some revisions, including minor revisions and renaming of trim levels. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's CTS, however.

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	9.0
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	7.0
Technology	7.0

Driving

9.0

The CTS V-Sport delivers big-hearted power and is more precise than its size would suggest. The result is a very cohesive, fast and confidence-inspiring driving experience. It puts the "sport" in sport sedan, yet it manages to be accessible and engaging.

Acceleration

9.0

A willing 420-horsepower, 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine has ample oomph from any speed, pulls hard and is responsive. There are no obvious flat spots in its powerband, even when accelerating from a standstill. It's fast yet undramatic.

Braking

8.0

An acceptably firm pedal offers easy modulation and immediate response, which stays consistent even in moderately aggressive use. Our car was equipped with the optional performance brake linings.

Steering

8.5

It turns in nicely, with good manners and a straight-ahead feel. It also avoids the bad habit of abruptly and artificially increasing steering effort when you pick up the pace. The steering wheel feedback lets you sense road texture.

Handling

9.0

This standout handler with ample grip feels very planted, secure and precise. Even in spirited driving, the car doesn't wobble at the edge of its handling envelope. It's a confidence-inspiring car whether in fast sweepers or low-speed turns.

Drivability

8.0

The CTS is a very cooperative car that's easy to live with. Upshifts from the eight-speed automatic are almost imperceptible. In manual mode, the downshifts are noticeably delayed after requested from a paddle-pull.

Comfort

7.5

The main characteristic that drags the CTS V-Sport down is its ride quality. It's too tied-down and can feel stiff-legged, clomping audibly over bumps. Otherwise, the seats are quite comfortable, and the climate control system works exceptionally well.

Seat comfort

8.0

The heated and ventilated front seats strike a commendable balance of comfort and support. There's no discomfort even after three hours in the seat. The backseat backrest is on the upright side.

Ride comfort

5.0

The ride is very firm. It's not harsh, but it is a tick too intense, communicating tiny bumps even as it absorbs larger ones. The ride edges too closely to the sport side of the equation for a car of this disposition.

Noise & vibration

7.0

The tires clomp audibly over bumps and hiss at speed, meaning road noise is a touch too prominent for this class. The engine note perks up under hard acceleration and sounds pretty impressive for a turbo V6. But it falls away almost completely while cruising.

Climate control

9.0

The automatic climate control is effective, holding steady to set temperatures and providing quick cooldowns. Fan noise is not excessively prominent. Rear passengers have their own vents and controls.

Interior

7.5

Some concessions made to design affect overall usability. Touch-sensitive controls abound and simply don't work as well as knobs and hard keys, and the glossy interior trim is reflective and sometimes distracting. High points include a good driving position and decent room for entering and exiting.

Ease of use

6.0

The steering wheel controls work well. The cabin is essentially devoid of knobs but has many touch-sensitive controls, suggesting style won out over function. The CUE infotainment system is responsive but not the most intuitive in its layout.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

Overall, no big issues. The front roof pillar intrudes a bit too much due to its steep rake, and there's a relatively narrow gap between the dash and seat. Stepping over the sill is easy. The roofline drops a bit in the rear, complicating backseat access somewhat.

Driving position

8.5

The driving position is very good. Seat travel is plentiful, and the tidy steering wheel size and angle harmonize with the pedals. There is also sufficient adjustment in the telescoping steering column for a variety of drivers, and all main controls fall readily to hand.

Roominess

7.0

The front seats are reasonably spacious in both knee- and headroom, but more intimate widthwise than a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Rear toe room is snug, while kneeroom is good. Rear headroom is limited and not great for taller individuals.

Visibility

6.5

Visibility out the front and side windows is average. The over-the-shoulder view has to contend with a fairly wide rear roof pillar and a cabin that slims to the rear. The glossy-black panel and steering wheel brightwork can dazzle to a fault.

Quality

7.5

The car incorporates a good variety of solid materials. The use of glossy and reflective design elements is unfortunate, and the carpet looks somewhat cheap. But there's nice leather and high-quality paint and exterior design elements.

Utility

7.0

The CTS isn't a standout for storage space, but it doesn't lag far behind its competition in this regard. Its cabin has several areas in which to stash items, all on the smaller side. Its trunk has a wide opening, and total volume is about average.

Small-item storage

7.0

The center console bin is modest, and there's a little cellphone shelf (trapezoidal, oddly). The glovebox is not especially large, the door bins are average size, and rear storage is limited to smallish door pockets save for the flip-down console with two cupholders.

Cargo space

7.0

The trunk space is adequate, and the liftover height is reasonable, if a touch higher than average. The trunk has a wide opening and is fairly deep. Our loaded test car only offers manual closing (no power close).

Technology

7.0

Standard inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a plus, but using the touchscreen interface for all native audio and navigation can be frustrating. Voice controls had limited success recognizing our navigation test case, but the voice interface is fairly nonrigid.

Audio & navigation

6.0

The screen flow can be finicky thanks to the touch-only interface. Swiping to scroll through presets doesn't work well.

Smartphone integration

7.5

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with the ability to access iPhone's Siri via the factory voice control. Connectivity includes Bluetooth, two USB ports and an auxiliary jack.

Driver aids

7.5

You can set the adaptive cruise control's following distance to be pretty close to the car ahead of you, if that's what you like. The pre-collision warning sounded prematurely a few times, which is typical, and its sensitivity is fixed. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and a 360-degree-view camera are included.

Voice control

6.5

It took four attempts to hear a street address correctly. Voice controls can access phone, audio, navigation, the OnStar system and weather information.

2019 Cadillac CTS models

The 2019 Cadillac CTS luxury sport sedan is available in five trims. Cadillac ensured even the base CTS comes well-equipped. But to get the 3.6-liter V6, you'll have to opt for the Luxury trim. The Premium Luxury adds the Magnetic Ride Control suspension and more safety equipment. The CTS V-Sport and V-Sport Premium Luxury are only available with the top-spec twin-turbo V6, Magnetic Ride Control and rear-wheel drive.

The base CTS trim comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (268 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque), an eight-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch wheels, Brembo front brakes, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory settings, simulated-leather upholstery, and fixed rear seats with a trunk pass-through.

Technology features include OnStar telematics (with 4G data connectivity and Wi-Fi capability), wireless smartphone charging, Bluetooth, the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system (without navigation), an 8-inch touchscreen interface, voice controls, three USB inputs, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker Bose surround-sound system with satellite radio.

For this base CTS, buyers can add a Seating package that includes leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, split-folding rear seatbacks, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, and LED interior ambient lighting.

The Luxury offers the option of a 3.6-liter V6 (335 hp, 285 lb-ft) plus adaptive xenon headlights with auto high beams, a panoramic sunroof, a navigation system, and a 13-speaker Bose sound system. It also packs a variety of driver safety aids, including automatic wipers, lane departure warning and intervention, forward collision alert, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional seating package from the base CTS is included in the Luxury.

An optional V-Sport package (not to be confused with the V-Sport trim level) bundles 18-inch wheels, high-performance brakes and tires, and a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers.

The Premium Luxury fits the CTS with the adaptive suspension dampers, 18-inch wheels, a self-parking system (both parallel and perpendicular), three-zone automatic climate control, heated rear seats, a rear camera mirror, a head-up display, a top-down parking camera system, a power rear sunshade (rear side-window shades are manual), and illuminated door handles and front doorsill plates.

There's an optional Driver Assist package for the Premium Luxury trim that adds adaptive cruise control and a collision mitigation system with automatic braking. Other options include 20-way-adjustable front sport seats and a configurable digital gauge cluster.

The CTS V-Sport comes with a turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine (420 hp, 430 lb-ft) and starts with the Luxury trim level's standard features (minus the sunroof). The V-Sport adds the self-parking system, 18-inch wheels with summer tires, upgraded brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and steering system, a driver-selectable Track mode for high-performance driving, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and an upgraded cooling system. All-wheel drive is not available.

At the top of the range is the CTS V-Sport Premium Luxury that adds just about all of the standard and optional features of the Premium Luxury trim, including the sunroof.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#33 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Cadillac CTS from 2008-2022.}

$534/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.94x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

19%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Cadillac CTS.

5 (50%)

4 (20%)

3 (14%)

2 (6%)

1 (10%)

3.9

50 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Outstanding Value for the $$

Jeffrey Gilmore, 07/13/2019

2018 Cadillac CTS Luxury 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

This is the fourth Cadillac I have purchased. I traded in my 2014 XTS because I needed AWD in the climate I live in now. I compared the Audi A6 to the Cadillac CTS. While the A6 had a little more interior room, the CTS has more standard features for less money. Stay away from the turbo 4. It is noisy, unrefined and weak. The 3.0 V6 is quick and smoooooth. The ride and handling …

Certified Pre-owned is the way to go

Brad, 12/27/2017

2017 Cadillac CTS V-Sport Premium Luxury 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

This part is an update. I still love this car however occasionally the Cue system will lock up when using Android Auto. If you don't start Android Auto on your phone before using it in the car, after you use a voice command it will sometimes just lock up and the CUE system will be unusable until you unplug your phone or turn your car off. It would be nice if you could use Android Auto …

Everything is better than the previous CTS

Next2pool, 07/26/2016

2016 Cadillac CTS Luxury 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

If you owned a Gen II CTS, this one will be better in every category. The new V6 is very strong and I'm averaging about 26 MPG in all around suburban driving. The interior is very quiet but the road noise from the front is the only complaint I have. There is almost no wind noise. The interior material quality is excellent and the fit and finish is superb. I am disappointed in the …

The Cadillac of CTSs

Karl, 07/18/2017

2016 Cadillac CTS Luxury 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I couldn't be happier with my 2016 CTS. The car looks fantastic, and aggressive, from every angle -- classic Cadillac. And the CTS 3.6 AWD has the performance to back up its looks, with tremendous acceleration (0-60 in 5.3 seconds), razor-sharp handling, and confident braking. The interior is beautifully designed and crafted, including aromatic leather seats, a pleasing and logical …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Cadillac CTS, so we've included reviews for other years of the CTS since its last redesign.

See all 50 reviews of the Cadillac CTS

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2019 CTS Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$46,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$217/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the CTS models:

Lane Change Alert: Warns you if a following vehicle is about to occupy the lane next to your car.
Following Distance Indicator: Helps the driver maintain a safe following distance behind the car ahead through the use of radar.
Teen Driver: Lets parents set certain vehicle parameters and limits to ensure their young drivers maximize attention to driving.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Marginal
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good