The XTS is no longer Cadillac's top-of-the-line car, and maybe that's for the best. This big, front-wheel-drive cruiser seems out of place among the brand's rear-wheel-drive sport sedans. With its softly sprung suspension and library-quiet ride, the 2018 Cadillac XTS may be something of a nod to yesteryear, but we still think there's a place for it among buyers who value comfort over cutting-edge handling.
We certainly don't mean to imply that the XTS is bad to drive — it's actually very impressive for its size. This is a big car, nearly 17 feet long, but once you're behind the wheel the XTS feels smaller. With an available adaptive suspension and light steering feel, the XTS is more nimble than you might expect. Thanks to General Motors' magnetic shock absorbers (which use a fluid that thickens instantly when a magnetic field is applied, allowing near-instant changes in damping), the XTS can provide a pillow-soft ride yet maintain its composure around corners.
While the XTS drives small, it certainly doesn't feel cramped. There's plenty of room to stretch out up front and even more in back. The 18-cubic-foot trunk is generous, but the narrow opening means that loading long items like golf bags will take some creativity.
We love the XTS' advanced dashboard, especially in higher trim levels where traditional analog gauges are replaced by a video screen. And we appreciate the improvements Cadillac has made to its CUE touchscreen system — it now responds faster, and the swipe and pinch gestures will be familiar to anyone who uses a smartphone or tablet. Then again, the glossy screen is a magnet for fingerprints, and the touch-sensitive buttons below the screen, which control the stereo and climate system, are not our favorite. They require too much attention to be taken from the road, and since they sense the proximity of your finger, it's easy to press a button you didn't want.
The base engine for the XTS is a 3.6-liter V6, which produces 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. It's available with either front- or all-wheel drive. We clocked the latter model to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, slower than what we expect in this class. EPA-estimated fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive version is 22 mpg combined (19 city/28 highway), and all-wheel drive drops the combined rating by 2 mpg. Cadillac offers a twin-turbo version of this engine in the V-Sport model. It produces 410 hp and 369 lb-ft and comes standard with all-wheel drive; and its 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds is much closer to that of its rivals. The V-Sport's EPA rating is 18 mpg combined (16 city/23 highway).
Cadillac offers the XTS in base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum models, with the V-Sport only offered in Platinum trim. Base models are best left to taxi services and limo builders; the Luxury model has more luxury must-haves, but the Premium and Platinum are the ones that really tempt us. Let Edmunds help find the perfect 2018 Cadillac XTS for you.
2018 Cadillac XTS Overview
The 2018 Cadillac XTS is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include Luxury 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A), Luxury 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A), and Premium Luxury 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A). XTS models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2018 XTS comes with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. The 2018 XTS comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. powertrain warranty.
Is the 2018 Cadillac XTS a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Cadillac XTS and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 XTS featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
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We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
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Is the 2018 Cadillac Xts safe? The 2018 Cadillac Xts earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.5 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Exterior Colors: Black Raven, Radiant Silver Metallic, Crystal White Tricoat, White Diamond Tricoat, Graphite Metallic, Bronze Dune Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic, Phantom Gray Metallic, Red Passion Tintcoat, Silver Coast Metallic, Sapphire Blue Metallic, Stellar Black Metallic, Deep Amethyst Metallic, Black Diamond Tricoat, Stone Gray Metallic
Interior Colors: Jet Black leather, Shale w/Cocoa Accents leather, Medium Titanium w/Jet Black Accents leather, Kona Brown w/Jet Black Accents leather, Shale w/Black Accents leather, Jet Black w/Light Wheat Accents premium leather, Caramel w/Jet Black Accents leather, Very Light Platinum w/Dark Urban/Cocoa Accents premium leather, Light Platinum w/Dark Urban/Cocoa Accents premium leather, Maple Sugar w/Jet Black Accents premium leather
Popular Features: Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Leather Seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Parking sensors, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Rear Bench Seats, Remote Start, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Upgraded Headlights, Cooled Seats, Heated seats, Back-up camera, Navigation, Keyless Entry/Start, Mobile Internet, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Sunroof/Moonroof, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, AWD/4WD, 360-degree camera, Heads up display, Upgraded Stereo, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision safety system, Rear Entertainment System
