2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Review
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Head-turning design
- stunning acceleration
- athletic handling
- a relative bargain.
Cons
- Poor rear visibility
- limited headroom with sunroof
- compromised trunk
- uncomfortable and unsupportive standard seats.
What’s new
For 2012, the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe gains a standard blind spot warning system and active head restraints.
Edmunds says
Though its practicality is disappointing, the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe delivers a combination of world-class performance, style and value that's tough to beat.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl S/C 6M) 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 $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$332/mo for CTS-V Coupe Base
CTS-V Coupe Base
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
This is not your grandfather's Cadillac Coupe DeVille. This modern two-door Caddy has a 556-horsepower supercharged V8, handling tuned at the world-famous Nurburgring, and seats fashioned by Recaro, not inspired by La-Z-Boy. Yet like those grand old classics, the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is most definitely a head-turner. With its outlandish concept car styling, nothing else looks like it on the road, and it's safe to say that very few cars can keep up with it either.
The problem is that the Coupe pays for its styling with significant practical drawbacks that inevitably make other super sport coupes easier to live with. While the Coupe's cabin design is a dead ringer for the attractive and well-built one found in the CTS-V sedan, actual interior room is notably less. Of course, coupes are expected to be less spacious than their four-door comrades, but the CTS Coupe doesn't even meet these lowered expectations.
As such, a 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe isn't going to be as easy to live with on a regular basis as a BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. However, if you throw such practical notions to the wind, then this Cadillac has the performance guts to hang with (and/or beat) those aforementioned coupes and many more world-class performance cars. The CTS-V goes from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, which is the quickest for its class, and good enough to stand toe-to-toe with high-end sport coupes like the Jaguar XKR and Porsche 911.
Of course those latter cars cost vastly more than the relatively bargain-priced CTS-V. So there is definitely a trade-off to be had when considering the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. The question is: Do you think with your heart or with your head?
Performance & mpg
The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that produces 556 hp and 551 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are standard, but a six-speed automatic is a no-cost option. In Edmunds testing, a manual-equipped CTS-V Coupe went from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined with the manual and 12/18/14 with the automatic.
Safety
The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe comes standard with high-performance antilock brakes, stability control and traction control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard are a rearview camera, a blind-spot warning system and GM's OnStar emergency communications system. In Edmunds brake testing, the CTS-V stopped from 60 mph in a superb 104 feet. Few cars can beat that.
Driving
Of course, no one really needs a car with 556 hp. But you'll surely want one after you experience this Caddy. The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe has power to burn, and the supercharged V8 will put a huge grin on your face every time.
The CTS-V is no lightweight, yet it handles well, with the adaptive suspension keeping all four wheels solidly planted on the pavement. Driver confidence is further bolstered by accurate steering with crisp turn-in and adequate feedback, while the powerful Brembo brakes deliver consistent, linear stopping performance. Compared to cars like the M3, however, the CTS-V feels much larger in tight corners and ultimately less agile.
Thankfully, the CTS-V's athletic handling does not come at the expense of ride comfort. When you equip a standard Cadillac CTS Coupe with its full complement of performance options, the car can feel harsh over anything but the smoothest of pavement. The CTS-V Coupe, on the other hand, benefits from its adaptive suspension, which allows you to tailor the damping to the conditions with Tour and Sport modes.
Interior
As with the sedan model, the interior of the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe features a pleasing angular theme to match the exterior edginess. Soft-touch materials are plentiful, accented by tasteful wood trim. The optional navigation system emerges from the top of the dash and retracts almost fully, leaving a small section visible as a touchscreen display for the audio system -- a smart and elegant solution to having a separate control panel.
This is where the flattering stops, though, as the interior is otherwise filled with compromises and flaws. Outward rear visibility is notably poor, forcing the driver to rely on the rearview camera and blind-spot warning systems. The optional tilt-only sunroof significantly limits front seat headroom even for those of average height. Rear seat passengers must always deal with a lack of headroom, and the raked rear window will leave their heads exposed to direct sunlight most of the time. To make matters worse, overall comfort and support are hampered by flat and stiff front seats, though at least the optional Recaro sport seats address this shortcoming.
Trunk space is an acceptable 10.5 cubic feet on paper, but in reality, the narrow opening requires quite a bit of jostling in order to fit bulky items. The large gooseneck hinges also swing far down into the space, crushing anything that might be in their way.
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe models
The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V is a four-passenger high-performance version of the CTS Coupe. That car is reviewed separately, as are the CTS-V sedan and wagon
Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, summer performance tires, high-performance brakes, a limited-slip differential, magnetically controlled adaptive suspension, automatic and adaptive xenon headlamps with washers, foglamps, rear parking sensors, a blind-spot warning system and automatic wipers. Comfort and convenience features include keyless ignition/entry, remote ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a cabin odor filtration system, heated eight-way power front seats, driver memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather/faux-suede upholstery, a split-folding rear seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Electronic features include Bluetooth, a rearview camera, a navigation system, real-time traffic and weather, a pop-up touchscreen interface and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with a CD/DVD player, satellite radio, digital music storage and an iPod/USB audio interface.
Options include a tilt-only sunroof, heated and ventilated Recaro sport seats, and faux suede covering the steering wheel and shifter.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.
5 star(100%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
13 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
This car is outstanding
kwygon, 04/08/2011
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl S/C 6M)
You guys at edmunds must be on the German payroll. They make nothing that compares. In Motor Trend tests available on UTube it beats the M5 in every test. Drag race, road course, quarter mile, braking, 0 to 60. It rides better and is $30,000 less money. I guess you can tell I love mine. If you need more room buy the sedan. The rear view is fine. The mirrors are great and so is the back … up cam. Head room no problem.The ride is awesome, the seats are great and all the electronic toys are second to none. What a head turner. JD Powers rate BMW, Audi and the big M in the bottom 3 in first year customer satisfaction. I guess you forgot about that. I still can't believe GM build this car. Thank You
4.75 out of 5 stars
GM vs. the world...and GM won
Dr. Dub, 11/21/2010
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl S/C 6M)
I wanted the total package: V8, 400HP, 400TQ, RWD and all of the super sedan amenities. The CTS-V beat out the Lexus IS-F, Audi S5 and the Mercedes C63 AMG. The V is pure, automotive lust. Acceleration, braking and handling is incredible. Inside: leather, keyless, popup infotainment screen, back up camera, Bluetooth and remote start turns the HVAC and/or heated seats on for you, … depending on temp. The Recaros aren't worth $3500 over the base seats, which offer nice lateral support. The CTS-V coupe IS the total package. A perfect daily driver, luxury coupe or track car, its easily worth $80- 100k. I've only owned imported cars until now and it's nice having American muscle in my garage.
4.88 out of 5 stars
V...onderful to Drive
jrhii, 07/08/2012
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl S/C 6M)
The CTS V Coupe is the best car I have ever driven...I can not wait to get in and fire it up every chance I can get.
I can honestly say the i truly have a smile on my face at all times.
The is also the best handling car I have ever owned
-- and I have had 5 BMWs, a Lexus (460) and a Mercedes e class.
But the V Coupe takes the cake as far as ultimate fun .... I read many
folks comments … against the V but I would bet nearly all have never driven the V.
Almost every time I stop I get questions, even at read lights and especially at a gas station (which unfortunately is a lot - LOL).
They all have questions.
The quality is fantastic and I have had no problems.
5 out of 5 stars
Hyper -Performance
CoJo, 08/27/2010
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl S/C 6M)
I own a '09 CTS-V sedan. Test drove the '11 V-coupe at the Monticello Motor Club, Monticello, NY last Friday as I did the '09 in '08. I will own a coupe by the end of the year. Engine, transmission, suspension, and electronics are exactly the same. However, the coupe is even faster due to a 2" reduction in height, length, and 2" increase in width. Both are the first truly super … performance production luxury sedan and coupe of the 21st century - bar none! As I know from two years of experience with the "V" sedan nothing on the road, nothing, compares. In fact, I'm not sure which was more fun the MMC track drives or the 1500 miles round trip in less than two days to do so.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, so we've included reviews for other years of the CTS-V Coupe since its last redesign.
2012 CTS-V Coupe Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $63,215 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $332/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the CTS-V Coupe include:
- Back-up camera
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
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