2017 Cadillac XTS Review

The Cadillac XTS is nod to the large, comfortable, older-style cruisers of yesteryear but is also packed full of enough modern technology to keep the savviest gadget user happy. The proportions are purposeful and meant to appeal to the customer who values comfort and an abundance of cabin space over all-out performance. That said, those looking for a little extra passing power have the option of moving up to the V-Sport model, which comes with all-wheel drive and doles out 410 horsepower from its turbocharged V6. 

As of 2016, the XTS is no longer Cadillac's largest sedan, due to the introduction of the rear-wheel-drive CT6. However, they aren’t too far apart in size and the front-drive XTS is still quite a bit more affordable and has a slightly larger trunk. The standard engine is GM’s 3.6-liter V6, which develops 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque and runs on regular octane fuel.

Mild updates for the XTS in 2017 include a new gauge cluster, a new 20-inch wheel design for the performance-oriented V-Sport model and a Teen Driver feature to help put parents more at ease when junior is out on an “errand.”

Some alternatives to the Cadillac XTS include the Chrysler 300, which offers comparable cabin space, a choice of V6 or V8 power and optional all-wheel drive. Hyundai's Genesis sedan doesn’t offer quite as much rear legroom as the XTS, but it sports a sleek design and healthy V6 engine. Another viable option is the MKS from Lincoln that lines up well on paper and costs less than the base-model XTS. If going slightly upmarket, we’d suggest looking into the Audi A6, with its powerful and fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine and standard Quattro all-wheel drive.  

The 2017 Cadillac XTS comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control, front and rear-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. The Teen Driver feature, which is standard for 2017, supports safe driving practices by muting the sound system if any front occupants aren’t wearing seat belts, presents audible and visual warnings when the vehicle is traveling faster than preset speed limits, and lets parents view how their teen was driving through an onboard display. Also standard is OnStar, which includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.

Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, a more advanced forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview or surround-view camera system, and a vibrating driver seat that alerts the driver to an impending collision.

In Edmunds brake testing, an XTS4 came to a stop from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is average for a car in this class.

In government crash tests, the XTS received a top five-star rating overall, with five stars for total front-impact safety and five stars for total side-impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the XTS its highest possible rating of Good in its moderate-overlap front- impact test as well as the side-impact, roof strength and whiplash protection (seats and head restraints) tests. The IIHS also rated the XTS' optional forward collision warning and mitigation system as Superior.

The 2017 Cadillac XTS is a large luxury sedan sold in four main trim levels: base, Luxury Collection, Premium Collection and Platinum Collection. The turbocharged V-Sport is only offered in Premium or Platinum trim.

As imposing as the 2017 Cadillac XTS seems at the curb, it has a distinctly smaller feel from behind the wheel. Thanks to the standard adaptive suspension and feather-light steering, the XTS manages to shrink its big body around the driver.

Nonetheless, rival sedans are generally better bets in terms of driving dynamics. Comfort is king for a traditional Cadillac sedan, and the XTS doesn't disappoint. The same magnetically controlled adaptive suspension that keeps the body composed in corners provides a buttery-smooth ride on most surfaces. It's far from floaty, but when you're rolling down the highway in an XTS, there's no doubt luxury is its main mission.

When it comes to power, the V-Sport's turbocharged V6 completely transforms the driving experience. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the base engine, but the standard V6 lacks the confident oomph Cadillacs are usually associated with. The V-Sport, on the other hand, feels more like an old, muscular Caddy V8 off the line. Springing for the upgraded engine is a no-brainer if you like the idea of having power to spare.

The Cadillac XTS provides the kind of passenger volume you expect from a nearly 17-foot-long luxury sedan. Rear passengers in particular will appreciate their ample accommodations. With 18 cubic feet of capacity, the XTS' trunk is one of the biggest on the market, but it's unusually narrow, so long items such as golf bags might need to be creatively positioned.

Of course, we're used to Cadillacs that give us room to stretch out. The XTS' futuristic dashboard, though, is something else altogether. For 2017 the standard gauge cluster gets a face-lift, but it’s the optional 12.3-inch gauge cluster that gets our attention. Then there's the CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment interface, which integrates audio, phone, optional navigation and OnStar functionality into an 8-inch haptic touchscreen display. Cadillac has improved CUE’s response time significantly from when it was initially introduced, and the current system is finally something we’d call user-friendly. Those familiar with smartphone and tablet interfaces should feel at home with the CUE touchscreen because it uses similar touch, swipe and pinch gesture commands.

There are also touch-sensitive buttons beneath the touchscreen. These buttons control things such as the stereo and climate systems, and they can be a challenge to use if you're trying to drive at the same time. For efficient operation, you might need to look down at the panel to see what you're pressing, which of course requires you to take your eyes off the road. As slick as this control panel looks, we're not convinced that the touch controls are the way to go.