2009 Cadillac XLR Review
Price Estimate: $9,611 - $14,178





+54
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sharp-looking exterior design, comfortable ride quality, retractable hardtop convenience, comes loaded with every luxury feature you could desire.
Cons
- Some subpar interior materials, not as sporty as its Corvette underpinnings would suggest, taller drivers may find it cramped.
What’s new
For 2009, Cadillac reduces the XLR lineup to just the Platinum trim level. Other changes include new front and rear fascias, a new "power dome" hood (borrowed from the XLR-V), the adoption of Bluetooth and interior updates. The latter include new wood and metal accents, new instrument graphics and additional leather trim.
Edmunds says
The 2009 Cadillac XLR boasts respectable performance and a fine highway demeanor along with its eye-catching design. Still, its lackluster handling and hit-or-miss interior craftsmanship put it at a disadvantage in the very competitive luxury roadster segment.
For sale near Kinston, NC
4 listings
- 13,799 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 8cyl automatic
- Joe Basil Chevrolet (529 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Depew, NY
Another beautiful Basil Classic... a 2009 Cadillac XLR with only 13,820 miles that has been handpicked and meets Joe Basil's standards of excellence a...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (15 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G6YV36A895600774
Stock: CN8
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-25-2025- 78,537 miles
- Issue reported, 2 owners, personal use only
- 8cyl automatic
- Auto Sport Groups (633 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Introducing the 2009 Cadillac XLR Platinum, a luxury convertible powered by a robust Northstar 4.6L V8 engine delivering 320hp and 310ft. lbs. of torq...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (15 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G6YV36AX95600887
Stock: 2436
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-15-2025
Vehicle overview
Like gourmet coffee from McDonald's, a pair of Christian Dior running shoes or Jack Black as a leading man, there are some things that at first blush just don't seem to go together. Cadillac is a carmaker synonymous with traditional land yachts and blinged-out SUVs, but few would associate it with a high-performance, dashingly styled two-seat luxury drop top. Yet the 2009 Cadillac XLR is just such an automobile, and this retractable-roof roadster is now in its sixth year in production.
Of course, the XLR is not the company's first attempt in this segment. Remember the Italian-bodied Allanté of the late '80s and early '90s? No? You're not alone, even though that flagship roadster boasted distinctive styling and robust V8 power. The challenge for Cadillac is to make sure that the similarly conceived XLR doesn't likewise fade into obscurity. That might be easier said than done, because while the XLR is a pretty nice car, its competitors are pretty nice and then some.
With a platform that borrows heavily from the Corvette, the XLR would seem to be a likable marriage of coddling luxury and sporting performance. Sadly, it seems that the sport genes are somewhat recessive in this case. Though swift and generally a respectable handler, the XLR is not exactly a Corvette in a tuxedo. Thanks to suspension tuning that prioritizes ride comfort, the XLR is more at home on boulevards than back roads.
Nor is the XLR strong enough against its chief rivals to contend for luxury roadster supremacy. Although its cabin is quite luxurious and includes even more leather trim for '09, upon closer inspection, the XLR's interior materials (particularly the plastics) fall short relative to the competition. The same can be said for its driving dynamics -- though capable of making time on a twisty road, the XLR doesn't give the driver the same interactive enjoyment that one might find in, say, a BMW 650i.
Unless the 2009 Cadillac XLR's handsome looks and all-American pedigree strike a strong chord with you, we'd advise taking a close look at other entrants in this rarefied class. In addition to the aforementioned Bimmer, the Jaguar XK, Mercedes-Benz SL550 and Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet are all worthy of consideration.
Performance & mpg
A muscular yet refined 4.6-liter V8 powers the XLR. A six-speed automatic (that allows manual-style shifting) sends the V8's 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. EPA fuel mileage estimates stand at 15 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.
The XLR is a fairly spirited performer, as the 0-60-mph dash takes less than 6 seconds, while high-speed running on the highway is hushed and effortless. Full-throttle shifts result in little hesitation, and the sound of the engine at full song is as good as or better than any V8 in its class.
Braking performance is equally impressive, with a stop from 60 mph taking just 118 feet and no fade evident after successive panic stops.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, run-flat tires and stability control are all standard, as are side airbags that offer head as well as thorax protection. Rear parking sensors are also included.
Driving
As fast as the 2009 Cadillac XLR is when pushed, those expecting a Corvette in formal wear will be disappointed. Acceleration is certainly quick, but the XLR's soft suspension tuning results in noticeable body roll during hard cornering and plenty of nose dive under heavy braking.
Magnetic Ride Control shocks are standard equipment, but even with their split-second adjustability, the XLR still feels less willing to tackle the turns than the more athletic Mercedes SL. On less serpentine roads, the XLR hits its stride, delivering an undisturbed ride with effortless, arrow-straight tracking afforded by the precise steering. At highway speeds, wind buffeting is somewhat intrusive with the top down, but not so much that it detracts from the XLR's otherwise enjoyable freeway ride.
Interior
While packed with high-tech luxury features and sporting more leather trim within the cabin, the 2009 Cadillac XLR fails to match the interior quality of similarly priced competitors that wear the badges of BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Its soothing blend of soft leather, real wood trim and aluminum accents is certainly inviting. But the plastics quality is below average for this lofty class, and its design reminds some of the polarizing first-generation CTS sedan.
As a hardtop convertible, the XLR is aimed at customers looking for a two-seater that can provide both a suntan and a quiet top-up highway ride. The slick folding roof is one of the XLR's strongest selling points -- the Mercedes is the only other car in this class that features a retractable hardtop. The trunk boasts a respectable 11.6 cubic feet of space when the top is up; top down, however, that number drops to just 4.4 cubic feet.
2009 Cadillac XLR models
The 2009 Cadillac XLR is a luxury roadster that features a retractable hardtop. It comes in a single Platinum trim level. The XLR Platinum comes with most any luxury feature you'd ever want, including 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive xenon HID headlights, eight-way power and heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, Bose audio (with satellite radio and a CD changer), OnStar, Bluetooth connectivity, a navigation system, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.
The few options include a Weather Veil Package that includes a car cover, a wind blocker with storage bag and unique split-spoke chrome wheels. The standard-style wheels are also available in a chrome finish.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Goes 558 Miles on the Edmunds EV Range Test

Ford Mustang Dark Horse vs. Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing: The Edmunds U-Drags Battle

2026 Cadillac Optiq-V First Look: 519 Horsepower and 3.5 Seconds to 60 MPH

2025 Cadillac Celestiq First Drive: Marvelous Moonshot
Compare 2009 Cadillac XLR trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Carolina
$245/mo for XLR Platinum
XLR Platinum
vs
$154/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Cadillac XLR Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Exciting but expensive
2 out of 5 starsR Bell, 03/03/2017
2006 Cadillac XLR 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
This car is a close second to corvette but after owning a year I spent more on repair cost than any car I've ever owned.. This one is a lemon.. Almost every 2 weeks I was spending $800 on something to have it fixed.. Extended warranity was worthless. Replaced both window regulators 800 each. Then transmission cable broke $400 As a single woman repair cost has cost me my car. I can't … keep up with repair bills But truly love driving this car with top down and up.
All smiles
4.5 out of 5 starsScott Leyva, 10/18/2009
2008 Cadillac XLR 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
I love my XLR-V and it makes me happy to get behind the wheel. It has had its share of problems including a leaky radiator and a bad supercharger air pump that started making groaning noises. It is definitely high maintenance including light bulb replacement that took the dealership one hour to get to it to replace. Also, one time the top stopped half way and we had to use the key in … the bumper to get it closed manually. It never happened again so the car has its own personality. This car is red and draws a crowd wherever I go! Not even my 95 Jaguar XJS, which I traded in, drew this much attention from young and old alike. I just hope it is lower maintenance than the Jaguar!
Good Looking junk
3.5 out of 5 starsbignickja, 06/30/2009
2006 Cadillac XLR 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
Bought mine off showroom floor for 83,000 dollars to go with my vette and escalade yes I owed gm a lot, best and worst car I've ever owned, great headturner, fun to drive, ALWAYS IN SHOP, I mean ALWAYS in my 40 months of owning it was in shop 33 times from headlights to horns to rubber fading, trans, water pump, oil pump, compressor, tire gauge, throttlebody, trunk, foglights, visors, … radio replaced, navigation, radiator, blown speaker, push button door entry, lights on dash blown, periscope wheel, heads up display, wiper pump, rusted tailpipes, I am not making this up be warned, stupid thing is I still liked the car?
Truly a beautiful boulevard cruiser!
4.75 out of 5 stars06 XLR, 08/09/2009
2006 Cadillac XLR 2dr Convertible (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
The XLR has stunning looks inside and out. So many features. Love the retractable hardtop. With the top up, you have no idea you are in a roadster! It is so quiet. No problems with the car so far . Purchased on 7-8- 09 with 7295 miles. It is quite different from our 07 Corvette. We considered a 2010 Camaro...love the exterior looks, but inside was a disappointment (seats, dash, short … windshield). Back to the XLR..CD player has awesome sound...love the cooled seats. Think this will be a collectible car. Got this like new 06 for about half of the original list. My wife says the car is "cool"!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Cadillac XLR, so we've included reviews for other years of the XLR since its last redesign.
2009 XLR Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $86,215 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $245/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the XLR include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
Related Used 2009 Cadillac XLR info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Mercedes Benz G Class 2020 Review
- Infiniti QX50 2021 Review
- Mercedes Benz SL Class 2020 Review
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 2020 Review
- Mercedes Benz GLS Class 2021 Review
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
- New BMW 5 Series
- New Chevrolet Suburban
- New BMW M2
- 2024 MINI Convertible
- 2024 Acura Integra
- 2026 Acura RSX News
- 2024 X1
- New Jaguar F-PACE
- 2026 Nissan Sentra News
Research other models of Cadillac
- 2025 Escalade
- 2025 Cadillac XT6
- Cadillac XT4 2025
- Cadillac XT5 2024
- 2024 CT5
- 2024 Cadillac Escalade
- New Cadillac CT5
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- New Jeep Grand-Wagoneer for Sale in Drexel Hill, PA
- Used Audi E-Tron-S-Sportback in Rio Rancho, NM 2023
- Used BMW Alpina-Xb7 in Dearborn, MI 2026
- Used Toyota Avalon-Hybrid in Rio Rancho, NM 2022
- Used Infiniti QX80 in South Jordan, UT 2025
- Used Chevrolet Silverado-1500-Hybrid in Cartersville, GA 2013
- Used Mercedes-Benz Glb-Class in Eastlake, OH 2025
- Used Hyundai Santa-Fe-Hybrid in Jonesboro, AR 2023
- Used Tesla Model-X in Muskogee, OK 2025
- Used Kia Sorento-Hybrid in Baton Rouge, LA 2025