1996 Cadillac Seville Review
1996 Cadillac Seville Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+7
Used Seville for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
All Sevilles get new seats and seat trim, redesigned sound systems, an (optional) integrated voice-activated cellular phone, daytime running lights and programmable door lock functions and seating positions. The STS also receives an updated instrument panel with big gauges and a new center console, the Cadillac-exclusive Rainsense Wiper System (which detects rainfall and turns the wipers on automatically) and a newly improved continuously variable road-sensing suspension. Magnasteer variable-assist steering replaces the old speed-sensitive gear on last year's STS.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS 4dr Sedan 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 $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$220/mo for Seville SLS
Seville SLS
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
When Cadillac introduced the 1992 Seville to the motoring press, they reacted with such overwhelming approval you would have thought they had just heard an announcement that People had forever banished the Royal Family from appearing on its cover. They 'Oooohed' and 'Aaaahed' and proclaimed the Seville the best American luxosport sedan ever produced.
Well, they were half right. It was another year before the Seville Touring Sedan (STS) was worthy of that honor with the introduction of the stellar Northstar V8 engine. The STS became a civilized hot-rod, and it wasn't long before the more subdued Seville Luxury Sedan (SLS) made the switch to a less potent version of the Northstar System.
For 1996, the SLS and STS benefit from more of the continual improvement that has marked the evolution of these sedans. Both models get extensive seat and seat trim revisions designed to add comfort and convenience. A new remote keyless entry fob matches interior trim. An ignition key lockout feature, newly standard on all front-wheel drive Cadillacs for 1996, won't let the driver's door lock if the key has been left in the ignition. Sound systems have been redesigned, and an integrated voice-activated cellular phone resides in a new storage armrest. "Sea Mist Green" is a new interior and exterior color. Daytime running lights are standard, and up to two drivers can program the door locks and seat position to their individual tastes.
STS receives additional refinement in the face of new competition from the United States and abroad. The dashboard has been restyled, locating climate controls, sound system, and the Driver Information Center to a centrally-located console stack. The result is a sportier, more contemporary layout featuring larger gauges. A seamless airbag system design for the passenger restraint allows the top of the dashboard to retain a smooth, uncut appearance. A Cadillac-exclusive Rainsense Wiper System is standard on the STS. Rainsense detects rainfall, and activates the wipers automatically, adjusting speed as is necessary. Inside the glovebox, STS owners will find a new valet lockout switch, and another switch that deactivates the traction control system. Cadillac has improved its Road-Sensing Suspension for 1996, and has endowed the STS with the new setup as standard equipment. Magnasteer variable-assist steering replaces the old Speed-Sensitive Steering that was formerlystandard.
The Seville has enjoyed several years in the spotlight as America's premier luxury-sport sedan. Lincoln has a new Continental in showrooms, but we prefer the Cadillac's distinctive styling and Northstar V8 over Lincoln's egg-shaped techno-cruiser. While this Cadillac is far from cheap, it is a worthy alternative to pricey luxury sedans from the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Cadillac Seville.
5 star(54%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
39 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.63 out of 5 stars
Nice but move on...
stsnotagain, 10/26/2004
1996 Cadillac Seville STS 4dr Sedan
I always liked Cadillacs since I use
to work for the dealership. I finally
got a used STS in so to be great
shape. Gorgous car with all the luxury
and rides great. But beware of all the
little things that WILL go wrong and
will be expensive to repair. I bought
mine one day and the next day the
water pump gave out. $250 later from
the Caddy dealer I had it back. After …
owning for about 3 weeks now and only
250 miles...half block seal needs
replacing at $1900! Rack and
pinion,struts,power window
switch,still leaks antifreez and check
engine light is now on for emissions.
I would just look and avoid this car.
These are known problems and thats
coming from a ASE Master Tech from a
Cad dealer!!!
2.88 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Car, But.........
Jim, 12/17/2004
1996 Cadillac Seville SLS 4dr Sedan
I bought my 1996 Cadillac SeVille from its original owner with 76,000 miles. I've driven it during the winter in Arizona. I started getting a "service transmission" on the message center, so I serviced the transmission by having the fluid and filter changed. The message continued, so I brought the car into a service facility, the code told the tech that it was a turbine speed input … sensor, the part is under $100 but it's the last part to come out of the transmission so we're looking at 15 hours of labor. I was told by three national transmission repair chains that it is a common problem and a "design flaw". I got the word today that it's a $3,050 job. Cadillac basically told me that I'm on my own. BE CAREFULL!
4.63 out of 5 stars
A nice car
I LOVE MINE, 08/10/2008
1996 Cadillac Seville SLS 4dr Sedan
I've always wanted a caddy but never could afford a new one. So I found this one on Craigs list and fell in love with it. The power is amazing and all the features work well, with the exception of hesitation of the drivers side power window. Maybe I'm a lucky one but this car uses no oil between changes. It has aproximately 129,000 on it at this time. I'm glad they depreciate as they do, … otherwise, i would not be able to own a car this nice.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Love the Northstar, hate the gremlins
Robert King, 02/13/2004
1996 Cadillac Seville SLS 4dr Sedan
Bought this car used in 1999. Have
taken trips to California, Colorado and
New York. I have enjoyed the car's
engine performance and comfortable
ride. I have always been impressed that
a car that weighs this much can average
over 29 mpg at high speed.
I have however made many costly trips
to the dealer for repair; water pump
rear suspension air compressor,
heater/AC … blower motor, O2 sensor, the
last and most irritating was in my
garage when the security system failed.
No cure other than towing to dealer for
$400.00 worth of Ignition switch, keys
and harness wiring. I love this car but
will not be owning another Cadillac.
1996 Seville Highlights
SLS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $220/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 1996 Cadillac Seville info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Lexus CT 200H 2013
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2022
- Used Jeep Compass 2015
- Used Genesis G90 2019
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2021
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Audi A6 2023
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Jaguar I Pace
- 2024 Porsche 911
- 2023 Volkswagen GLI
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2024
- 2024 Hyundai Sonata
- 2023 BMW 3 Series
- Solterra Subaru
- V90 Cross Country Wagon
Research other models of Cadillac
- Cadillac ATS 2024
- 2024 Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac SRX 2023
- Cadillac LYRIQ 2023
- 2024 Cadillac CT4
- 2023 Cadillac CT5
- 2023 Escalade
- Cadillac XT4 2023
- 2023 Escalade ESV
- Cadillac CT5 2023
Other models
- Used Honda CR-Z in San Marcos, CA
- Used Mercedes-Benz B-Class-Electric-Drive in Thousand Oaks, CA
- Used Mazda CX-50 in Topeka, KS
- New Hyundai Ioniq-6 for Sale in Valdosta, GA
- Used Ram 1500-Classic in Windsor, CT
- Used Cadillac XT6 in Laurel, MS
- New Lexus Is for Sale in Mount Vernon, IL
- New Jaguar F-Type for Sale in Wilmington, NC
- Used Dodge Ram-Pickup-2500 in Bryan, OH
- Used Land-Rover LR2 in Wetumpka, AL