Used 2011 Cadillac CTS Consumer Reviews

Vehicle Hesitation

At slow speed especially when engine is cold the engine skipps and the transmission shifts eradically. The engine also hesitates at high speed when accelerating to pass other vehicles creating an unsafe situation.

Verdict still out

Only driven it 100 miles so far but love the ride. Plenty of Power for a 3.6 sedan. Fit and finish are cut above most American made cars. Love the creature comforts. Stereo and nav are awesome. I would recommend anyone looking at a the infinity m or Lexus es300 or any other of those foreign makes to test drive the cts premium, you won't be disappointed.

Best car on the planet, IMO

When I was 10, my dad bought a used 73' black Deville. We were poor and had no business having a yacht like this but it was my dad's dream and what a car. Like father, like son; in 2009, I bought my first cadillac...a 2006 DTS and loved it every day until 2 weeks ago when I traded it in for a used 2011 CTS Premium, black raven with 26k miles, a real cream puff (I never buy new). It was way above my expectations and I fell in love all over again. This machine seriously performs and while it's much tighter than the DTS, it still feels and drives like a Cadillac, only better! I'm so impressed every time I get in and out of it. Couldn't be happier!

Handsome car

My first Caddy Performance CTS. Good value for a luxury brand. Trunk is a bit tight, but adequate. Good looking. After 205,000 miles later, the catalytic converters (4), muffler starting to wear out & shocks. Check engine on. Overall reliable.

Exceeds my expectations!

i can see why the CTS was "motor trends" car of the year for 2008. i've owned mine for about 3 months and have 2500 miles on the odo. so far the car has exceeded my expectations. the 6 speed automatic is silky smooth with the 3.0 liter producing plenty of power - acceleration is quick and smooth. the ride is a bit stiffer than my 2004 Chrysler Concorde limited but yet smooth and controlled. i like the ride and appreciate the quietness. the exterior and interior styling and workmanship are superior - just what a Cadillac should be. the variable assist power steering is spot on. and it's nice to get back to a rear wheel drive after several decades of front wheel drive. so far so good!

Engine hesitation

I only have 1100 miles on this vehicle but I noticed from the beginning that sometimes when you step on the accelerator there is a hesitation. I took it back to the dealership and they told me there was nothing they could do because all of the 3.6 L, 304hp, engines do this. They said Cadillac is looking into this but I have heard nothing from Cadillac. I almost had a very bad accident trying to pass someone on the highway when the engine almost stalled.

A Fantastic American Sedan

Great looking car and fun to drive. Excellent handling and acceleration and feels like a very substantial car when driving. Plenty of interior room and fabulous choice of dash display options. The radio with 6-CD changer is great and has 36 favorite preset station options.

World class

Better than most Japanese and German sedans in its class in terms of design, features and value. many useful and well thought functions. beautiful inside and out. paid $3500 less than window sticker plus top trade in price. got a lot compliment for the pearl white paint

REAL success

Our Cadillac CTS recently withstood a big buck collision. Airbags deployed, OnStar called my wife (who was alone at the time) to check her status. Within minutes, police, ambulance, animal control, and a tow truck was there. She was 100% FINE...thank goodness. The CTS w/ all-wheel drive is SAFE, handles great in all four seasons, handles well, and (frankly) is a conversation piece among friends. Love it.

Nice ride .Great style

Awd is a must and the exterior Crystal red is hot .The interior style works well for my 6 foot frame. Ultraview sun roof is very sharp. 3.0 engine is fine for me. I'm no race car driver.If you want to race around go for the 3.6..Leather is nice quality and its my kinda car. Reliability is yet to be determined but I opted for the extended GM warranty well worth the 2000 bucks.Takes 87 octane running just under 20 city. Nice heavy car and doors feel like the old days strong and solid!If your looking for a sharp car this is by far it!If you want some real American muscle I would go for the CTS-V...Time will tell how she rolls... but so far I love it!

BMW to Cadillac

I'm a fairly young car enthusiast! In my past I have owned many Luxury vehicles, such as Saab, Lincoln, BMW, and other Cadillacs. This CTS is one of my favorite cars. I had a 3 series BMW AWD and loved the car, but after the warranty expired, it was time for it to go! So I bought the CTS preowned with 20,000 miles and the only complaint is the 3.0 engine. Its a great engine, but it lacks torque for those red light accelerations. Interior is superb, exterior is beautiful! If I was to buy this car over, I would look for the same car with the 3.6! But other than that I love my Cadillac!

The 2011 Cadillac CTS A Good & Reliable Asset

This car is a valuable asset for the money; very dependable, low maintenance, good on fuel consumption, Attractive exterior and interior, and a pleasure to drive in all weather conditions.

Luxury and Class

Fun to drive ! Got black ice, shines like a diamond , turns lots of heads ! Drives like a dream ! So much more luxury than BMW!

145K plus miles (12/21/2019)

Have owned a 2011 CTS, 3.6, awd, performance version, for over 145,000 miles and I am very satisfied. The CTS offers good handling, acceleration, ride and decent mpg. I keep up with scheduled maintenance and so far reliability has been good. One compliant is wheel bearings. I've replaced all 4. Other than the wheel bearings I've not had to repair anything else. Also, I think it's less expensive to get work done because all major components are USA / GM based... Trying to decide what I should replace this with but, can't find a vehicle that gets me excited so I'm sticking with the CTS, for now.

Best car out there if you have the money

Very smooth and quiet ride. My son loves the ventilation in the back and perfect acceleration. Very tough built. Don't look at acuras Lexus or Toyota get the Cadillac cts you will be impressed on a test drive. Doing real estate some of my client have made great compliments on their cts. Drive one.

Love my CaddyO. USA, USA!

For less $$ than entry level new Accord, Camry or Altima, I bought a used 2011 silver Cadillac CTS. And I love it! It had 18K miles, looks great. Didn't get the extended warranty (the car still had 11 months of factory warranty remaining). Nice simple yet elegant interior design, exterior looks great too. Radio backup camera are nice. Heat seat warmer works fast as well as the air and heater. Now the new CTS looks even better. I did had a chance to drive the 2014 CTS last year. However, CUE touchscreen was not my thing (hard to touch the right button while driving).

Black beauty

Absolutely the best auto I've ever purchased. Exceeded my exportations. Has it all, looks, power, technology and performance.

happy car happy owner

this 2011 cts has been the best car I have ever owned. I love this car but if your getting older this car is kind of hard to get in and out of I have arthritis so its kind of hard in climb in and getting out but once your in its a awesome car. its so easy to drive and so comfortable and very smooth riding.

one of the best I have owned

I purchased used 4yrs ago so far fantastic I even have the same batt. 59000 miles replace front brakes also had a trans line leaking so I replaced it and that is all I have had to fix.

Good sports sedan

I purchased my '10 CTS 3.6 with AWD about 6 months ago. This is my first sports sedan. The CTS handles great. Ride is firm but not bone jarring. 3.6 liter motor has good acceleration, but you have to rev it a bit to get the most performance from it. Have not had any bad weather yet to test the AWD system. Mileage is about 22 mpg in mixed driving and 26-27 on the hwy at speeds from 65-70 mph. The interior is comfortable and well finished. The seats are comfortable but really best for 4 passengers, 5 is a bit tight. Bose stereo has great sound and I like that you can hook up a iPod to it. Climate system works well in both heating and cooling.

Great Sports Sedan

I tested a bunch of high end/high tech sports sedans and the CTS just has so much more bang for the buck, than the BMW or Lexus. I got a brand new CTS Premium for $7k of MSRP, and $2k more for my trade than it was worth. Performance is outstanding, tight and very agile. Front seat are very comfy and good support. The back is a little snug. 5.1 Bose sound system is sthe best great sound and lots of power for classic rock. Nav worked flawless touch screen or voice command, even Onstar downloads to your destination when you on the fly. Fit and finish is flawless. Rock solid ride.

Looks as Good as it Drives

Trunk is a little on the small side. The CTS is a beautiful sport luxury car. Lots of nice features and comfortable seats. Enough get up and go and handling to make it fun to drive. I love the body style. Had to replace the front wheel bearings at 85K and the "oil change reminder" won't reset. No other issues.

Cardiaccadillac is a awesome vehicle

Did alot of research before buying. Cadillacs offer many options and we got what exactly wanted. We did not settle for something less even though we were tempted by other nice Caddy's. To bad this site doesn't allow pictures of personal cars to be uploaded. We chose Red Tint Coat paint with Cashmere/Tan Wood Trim interior it has a huge Sunroof Update review 09/30/18 Six months later..... Still love the car took it in road trip up north. Ran great took it to Cadillac dealership for service treated us like royalty! I bought this car cuz I always wanted a Cadillac and a heart attack at 56 years old convinced me to purchase! We well worth the wait!

First Caddy

I had read many of the reviews from many sources, and so far my new CTS is living up to them, both good and bad. It's a very quiet and smooth riding car and the styling is awesome, especially in the crystal red color that I have. However, my old $25K, 4 cyl Nissan Altima I just traded in has several things my new CTS lacks: More storage, folding rear seat, much quicker acceleration

Initially, Quite Satisfied

While I have had my vehicle for approximately a week, I am quite impressed with the sheer luxury and design of this American-made beauty. This is my first step into the American-made auto arena, and I must say I am impressed. Having always gone the foreign auto route and most recently coming from a 2007 BMW 328i, I was a bit skeptical about buying American. However, after persuasion from a friend who is a fellow Cadillac owner and the incentives offered on the 2010s, I decided to make the move. I must say at this point in time, I am completely satisfied with my new luxury sedan. The car turns plenty of heads, and I love my Black Raven exterior with Ebony interior. GM, you rock!

Great fomd

Found a 2010 CTS luxury edition with manual transmission and very low mileage. Not my first CTS and I love these cars. Note: they depreciate very fast so they are a great buy on the used market

I love this car.

I notice how writers can't say enough about the foreign cars but pick the really good cars apart. I love this Caddy. Would not trade it for any Japanese car. Had a 2005 and wanted another. Buy American. Keep your money in this market.

Disappointed

Cadillac has degraded the CTS this year. Small conveniences have been remover, e.g. rain-sensing wipers, which are no longer available (and the dealer didn't even know about). The "easy-out" convenience rolls the seat back when the engine is stopped but the seat returns to the driving position when the door is opened, indicating poor, unthinking programming. That should be called easy-out but no easy-in.

Fine car

Some issues with airbags connections, and the CTS DOES require regular maintenance and attention. I love the car.

Caution, CTS may not be for you!!

I purchased my CTS Premium AWD Cadillac two weeks ago. I traded a 2008 Cad.DTS. Would take my old vehicle back immediately. The seats are hard, the ride is so horrible my wife and I felt Ill when we drove from the dealer to our home (70 Miles).The cruise control will not hold within 3- 4 miles per hour.Service dept. said "thats the way the way it is" there are..no adjustments. The grille- bumper assembly on the front of the car does not clear the road by more than 3 to 4 inches. My wife turned off a main highway onto a service road, small dip, damaged and broke "plastic grille". Only 200 miles on vehicle. The position of this assembly is actually a safety problem in my opinion.

Great Machine !!

This car is a very nice looking car and get great performance. The back seat is nice but not much leg room.

So Far So Good

I selected the CTS for my first high end car. Born in the 60's, I can easily remember the days when Cadillac & Lincoln dominated the luxury market. So I was excited; not just to finally have a Cadillac of my own, but one with modern styling, excellent fit & finish, and outstanding performance. As they say, it's not your Dad's Cadillac. I love the feedback I get through the tranny - whether the automatic or manual mode. Excellent balance struck between quiet ride and performance suspension. Handles the corners quite well, but road noise you typically get with such a car is absent - enough for passengers to comment on the quiet cabin. Acceleration is more than competent.

Six months, still satisfied

Can't complain about this car so far. I've already taken it on two long trips - including one on Amtrak's Auto Train service to Florida without a problem. Sound system, bluetooth, navigation are all very good. Performance is excellent. Fuel economy is not too bad considering the car wasn't really designed for efficiency. Car is great for long trips (and passing on two-lane highways!). Quality seems to be better than my Oldsmobile Aurora which had a few too many problems compared to the Chevy I had before it. No rattles, weird noises, or warranty repairs yet like I had after 6 months of owning my Aurora.

Bullet proof

Had the car for 8 years. With 140000 miles, not 1 issue, other than a water pump replacement. Drives and handles great. Love the CTS. Paint still looks new.

Break down after break down

I purchased the car used,,, very clean low miles,,, rear end went out within 5000 miles of owning it,,, then a part for the driveshaft failed, but cadillac does not sell the part so I had to purchase an entire driveshart,, then a computer part went haywire,,, nothing but a money pitt

Wife loves it

Terrific style

Like any car I can find a few faults.The seats could stand an improvement like my wife's RAV4.However it's a good handling car and sure it has an occasional jerk when it shifts down at low speeds because it's AWD. I have the 3.6,304 hp.Too bad GM dumbs the car down with that 3.0 liter which a lot of people at GM dislike.

What a car

Drives superb. Gm quality better then a Lexus or Acura..

Changes from 2008 to 2010 CTS

Just traded a very troublesome 08 for 2010 CTS. Car is identical inside and out except for a few glitches. Driver auto seat movement doesn't work unless Driver 2 button is clicked each time, to move seat back. To move forward, must click Driver 1 button. Doors automatically lock, cannot open, with motor running, except to click Unlock feature.

I miss my Q45

I bought a 2010 leftover. The first week I considered returning it. Overall I like it, but interior storage is inadequate, mileage is less than expected and the visibility borders on being dangerous. I compensate by angle parking only on the end of the row and only making right hand turns. I traded a 1998 Q45. The CTS is not in the same class. I wanted to buy American with RWD and the CTS is probably the best.

Don't ever buy or lease a cadillac from Moss Robertson Cadillac in Gainesville, GA

Two weeks after leasing what we thought would be a wonderful car the cadi started making a terrible knocking noise when started! Brought it back twice and was told BOTH times that it was manufactured that way and for us to just DEAL WITH IT! Tried to turn in our cadi for another model and Nick Jones, our original sales rep, did NOT even have the courtesy to call me back! So disappointed with this dealership in ALL regards. We turned in the Cadi and r now driving a 2011 ES 350 Lexus!!Guess what! We turned the car in and now own a brand new Lexus ES 350! So disappointed with this dealership cannot even put anything else into words except that they need to be ashamed of themselves.

First Cadillac - Maybe Last

Traded in a Cadillac DTS but drove a Lexus RX prior. While this is a great looking (and driving) car, my fear of fit and finish of American made cars has come largely true. This car has great pick-up and has some great amenities but it lacks the quality and additional options that foreign car makers like Lexus and Mercedes offer. My biggest complaint is a constant whistle from the sunroof that the dealer cannot get rid of. For a car that runs up to $50K this type of defect should NOT occur. Never had issues with Toyota, Nissan or Lexus vehicles before this purchase.

Check Out the CTS, You Won't Be Sorry

Let me first say that I have been looking for a really nice luxury sedan for some time. The cost of the Audi S4, A6, BMW 335I & Mercedes E350 are all very high for what you get. The ability to have it all and at a great pice was perfect for me. I used Hill Cadillac in Newtown Square PA. The entire buying experience was top notch. I highly recommend them to anyone. I had contacted Armen Cadillac about a CTS and they never even call me back. Their Loss!!! This car is amazing in styling, performance and luxury. I highly recommend it to any and all who want a great package at a great price.

2011 CTS Premium AWD is an excellent ride

I purchased the 2011 CTS Premium AWD in October 2011 in lieu of the 2011 BMW 535xi. Although the Edmunds reviews are rather critical of the CTS, I found the ride extremely comfortable and the handling very nimble for normal driving (I don't take curves at 80 mph). The fit and finish in this car is exceptional. The top of the line Premium AWD has every conceivable option that a car enthusiast could want. My opinion of Cadillac has certainly changed for the better. With 306 horsepower, the car does not lack for acceleration.

Cadillac CTS

Fabulous car, more fun to be in than a Mercedes or BMW. Dealership is the best I have been to, complete car service and education provided.

Classic American Luxury!

No complaints. Solid. Dependable. Elegant!

Cadillacs forever

I Love the way it handles! The turn radius and pickup are outstanding.

STILL A CLASY LOOKING CAR

Held up well . dependable only problem is closest dealer is too far away

Coupe turbo port cts Cadillac

Very good pick up doesn't let you down in traffic

Happy with my caddie

I like the look of the vehicle and although it has a few body spots of damage the vehicle performs well