2018 Cadillac XTS Review

Name: 2018 Cadillac XTS Review
Brand: Cadillac
Price: 14680 USD

Price Estimate: $14,680 - $17,651

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Appraise My 2018 Cadillac XTS

Cadillac XTS model years

Cadillac XTS for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Dan Frio^{Correspondent
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Spacious interior features high-quality materials throughout
Offers plenty of standard features
Optional turbo V6 engine provides strong power
Seats are eminently comfortable

Cons

Standard V6 struggles to get the big sedan moving
Trunk opening is surprisingly narrow for a car of this size
Touch-sensitive controls can be a hassle while on the move
Some widely available driver aids remain exclusive to upper trims

What’s new

For 2018, the Cadillac XTS updates its exterior look with LED headlights and new bumper, fascia, grille and wheel designs. A new tire design and additional sound insulation should make the cabin even quieter, while revised seat frames and construction aim for improved comfort. Cadillac has also revised availability of certain features and updated the infotainment system with improved graphics and speed.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Cadillac XTS delivers on the brand's traditional strengths: a smooth ride quality, a quiet cabin, a big back seat and classy styling. It should be appealing if you value these qualities and don't need a bunch of performance capability in your luxury sedan.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale nearby

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2018 Cadillac XTS
Luxury Sedan
$17,888
fair price
$632 below market
- 77,478 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, rental vehicle
- 19 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Excellent Choice Auto Sales (1,419 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Everett, WA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
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:
22 Combined MPG (19 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2G61M5S33J9167024
Stock: 8039
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Cadillac XTS
Luxury Sedan
$18,500
good price
$1,883 below market
- 57,380 miles
- 2 accidents, 4 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 19 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Legacy Auto Sales (1,436 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Seattle, WA
Selling this Gorgeous 2018 Cadillac XTS. Leather Seats, Cooling Seats, Navigation, Heated Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Back Up Camera, Bluetooth, Chi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
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:
22 Combined MPG (19 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2G61M5S32J9127176
Stock: 127176
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-21-2024

See all for sale

That's not to say the XTS doesn't have any hustle. Although we've found the standard V6 struggles to launch the big sedan with any urgency, the 304-horsepower engine does fine once up to speed. We'd love to steer everyone into the top V-Sport trim and the 410-horsepower turbo V6 engine that comes with it, but that fully loaded model might be overkill for most drivers. Fast but perhaps not practical.

That's why it's hard to go wrong with any of the XTS trims, whether you just want a standard set of luxury and tech features or more modern conveniences and all-wheel drive. For 2018, the XTS gets a more refined cabin environment, with increased sound deadening and upgraded seats and a few exterior freshening tweaks. Whichever XTS you choose, you'll get a sharp luxury sedan with loads of room, especially in back, and a comfortable, quiet ride.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.2 / 10

The 2018 Cadillac XTS delivers on the brand's traditional strengths: a smooth ride quality, a quiet cabin, a big back seat and classy styling. It's a smart pick if you want a luxury sedan with these qualities and don't require a lot of performance.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Cadillac XTS V-Sport Platinum (turbo 3.6L V6 | 6-speed automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.2 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	7.5

Driving

7.5

The top-of-the-line XTS V-Sport Platinum offers enough dynamic chops to feel modern when driving at speed, which also seems out of character with the rest of the car. But with an evermore capable crop of luxury offerings in the segment, the V-Sport is losing ground in the area it shines brightest.

Acceleration

7.5

With a 410-horsepower twin-turbo V6, power isn't lacking in this engine though it peaks a little later than we'd expect. All-wheel drive makes for slip-free acceleration no matter how hard you stomp the go pedal, while the six-speed automatic is nothing fancy but offers quick and smooth upshifts.

Braking

8.0

The Brembo brakes perform well whether moving along casually in traffic or stomping the pedal to scrub speed quickly. The pedal travel is a bit long, but they were fade-free during performance testing and stopped the XTS in 118 feet from 60 mph, which is respectable for this class.

Steering

7.5

The effort of the hydraulic-assisted steering feels appropriate for a large luxury sedan. And steering accuracy and feedback promote confidence when hustling along. But it feels a tad too light at more spirited speeds, and some testers complained of encountering torque steer on the highway.

Handling

7.5

For an aging model, the XTS V-Sport feels its most youthful when it's on the move. It turns in quickly, while the adjustable MagneRide suspension helps keep body motions surprisingly tidy through corners given its size and heavy front-weight bias.

Drivability

7.0

Drivability is good for the most part. The transmission will throw an occasional hard shift every once in a while, and the kick-down response for making a lane change or pass isn't as quick as we'd like. But the V6's power and torque help make up time in avoiding a compromised position.

Comfort

7.5

A quiet cabin and seats comfortable enough for long-distance cruising are Cadillac staples. The suspension also delivers a decent level of comfort but sacrifices some pillowiness for performance gains. We were pretty underwhelmed by the climate system, though, which is a bit of a surprise considering this is a Cadillac.

Seat comfort

8.0

Front seats are pleasant for the long haul but not performance-oriented. They're cushy with a lot of adjustments but lack real lateral support. There's a massage function, but the action is comically subtle. The rear seats come close to the softness of a couch, and all armrests are nicely padded.

Ride comfort

7.5

The MagneRide suspension doesn't eliminate all undulations but does a decent job of rounding off sharp bumps and delivers a ride that feels controlled rather than floaty. We'd say it strikes a pretty good balance between comfort and sport, skewing slightly toward sport for a big luxury sedan.

Noise & vibration

8.0

The cabin is well-insulated from all but a little road noise. Most noises come from interior materials, such as the seats rubbing against the armrest or steering wheel controls that squeak when you press them. There were also a couple of faint cabin rattles that were hard to locate.

Climate control

5.5

Our tester's system lacked sufficient cooling capacity for a cabin this size and the touch-sensitive controls made adjustments a slow step-by-step process. Power seat ventilation is also pretty marginal even at its highest setting. The seat heaters are more effective but aren't all that quick to get hot.

Interior

7.0

For a car aimed at an older demographic, usability may be a challenge. The XTS suffers from a fussy tech interface, challenging visibility and a cabin that doesn't feel as roomy as it should. As with many large luxury sedans, the rear passengers likely have it best.

Ease of use

6.0

The touch-sensitive controls are responsive and refined, but it's still a clunky interface overall. Some controls are haptic while others are not, and the gloss-black surface and screen are prone to finger smudges. The touch-sensitive power storage compartment is annoyingly easy to activate unintentionally.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

An easy-entry feature really helps with access to the driver's seat. And all doors swing open wide enough to accommodate individuals of all sizes. It's big for a midsize but on the small side for a full-size sedan. There's a slight step-over, but it shouldn't be an issue for most.

Driving position

7.0

If you like being ensconced in a cabin, you'll feel a bit high in the XTS. There's a wide range of seat adjustments for side and lumbar support as well as a massage function that can be controlled through a seat-mounted knob but guided through the touchscreen. The steering wheel reach and tilt are only adequate.

Roominess

7.0

For such a large car, the interior feels far from spacious. Front passengers won't be short on room. However, a large dash and center console take up a good amount of cabin space. The backseat passengers fare a little better with a decent amount of legroom and less of the cabin wrapping around them.

Visibility

6.5

The chunky bottoms of the front pillars and sideview mirrors slightly obstruct the view forward. The view out back through a short rear window is mostly unencumbered, though the high decklid and chunky rear pillars make you thankful for excellent surround-view cameras with various view modes.

Quality

7.0

The materials quality feels nice in areas such as the leather-wrapped dash and the soft premium leather seats. But the glossy simulated-wood trim and much of the switchgear just look cheap. Panel gaps aren't bad but don't look as tight as in other luxury offerings at this price point.

Utility

7.0

The XTS boasts a trunk bigger than most close competitors and features rear-folding seats, which is rare in the large luxury sedan segment. But the Cadillac loses ground with a high liftover and narrow walls. Small-item cabin storage is also somewhat lacking, but not due to effort.

Small-item storage

7.0

There are several storage bins throughout the cabin, including an (overly) touch-sensitive power flip door in the center console, a cubby on the driver's side, a modest armrest bin, and door pockets that hold a standard water bottle. It reflects a real attempt to provide options but falls short in execution.

Cargo space

7.5

The trunk is deep, but the high liftover could pose some issues with heavy items. The covered side walls create a clean look but also a narrower luggage space that won't fit a set of golf clubs widthwise. The seats fold down, which is not too common in this segment. By the numbers, 18 cubic feet is good.

Child safety seat accommodation

6.0

The lower seat anchors are hard to access due to firm seat cushions that you need to push away to access the hooks. Good luck not scratching the leather. The headrests flip down, which helps access to the upper tethers. There should be enough legroom to fit a good-size rear-facing seat.

Technology

7.5

Cadillac may not have the best user interface, but when it comes to technology and connectivity it offers a decent package. The audio system gets creative with seat-mounted speakers, and OnStar provides off-board support for many of the systems below. We found the cameras to be most useful.

Audio & navigation

7.5

The upgraded Bose system is pretty nice with its surround-sound speakers embedded in the front seats, though there are more impressive systems in competitors. The native nav is above average. It operates like a smartphone map and is responsive and easy to manipulate, with map data powered by OnStar.

Smartphone integration

7.5

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and work well for the most part. There were a couple of instances we could not answer an incoming call through the car or phone, but that may have been an anomaly. There's wireless charging up front and a rear 110-volt outlet in the back.

Driver aids

8.0

The lane departure system vibrates the driver's seat as a warning but does not provide steering assist. The adaptive cruise control will slow to a stop but lacks finesse. Surround-view cameras provide excellent resolution and are very helpful with multiple view modes. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert work pretty well.

Voice control

7.5

Voice controls use your smartphone if it's plugged in but otherwise use enhanced off-board voice recognition. You can't adjust the climate, but you can search for locations without knowing the address. It was easy to use, even if only a few of the searches were successful in finding our request.

Compare 2018 Cadillac XTS trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Cadillac XTS models

The 2018 Cadillac XTS is a five-passenger large sedan available in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum. The turbocharged V-Sport variant is only offered in Platinum trim. The base trim (called simply XTS) comes nicely equipped with a fair amount of luxury and tech, while the Luxury amps things up with features like heated front and rear seats and a navigation system. The Premium Luxury adds more desirable tech features, and the Platinum loads up with the best of the Cadillac catalog. The V-Sport Platinum also comes fully loaded but adds a 410-hp V6 engine.

The XTS comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine (304 horsepower, 264 pound-feet of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on all but the base trim.

Standard features on the base model include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated side mirrors, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, and 60/40-split folding rear seats with a cargo pass-through.

Tech features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth, OnStar (includes a 4G LTE data connection and Wi-Fi hotspot), an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system with satellite radio.

The Luxury trim adds automatic wipers, ambient interior lighting, extended wood trim, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a navigation system, front and rear parking sensors, and an automatic parking system (front-wheel-drive models only).

An optional Driver Awareness package for the Luxury trim adds lane departure warning, lane keeping assist (FWD only), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision alert, a vibrating safety-alert driver seat and a surround-view camera system.

The Premium Luxury comes standard with the Driver Awareness package and adds 20-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, adjustable front-seat thigh support, adaptive headlights, a head-up display, an upgraded driver-configurable gauge cluster display, a 110-volt power outlet, front-seat memory settings, a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system, and tri-zone automatic climate control.

Moving up to the Platinum adds an electronic limited-slip differential, a panoramic sunroof, a simulated-suede headliner, upgraded leather upholstery, extended leather trim (center console, dash panel), 22-way power-adjustable massaging front seats, and a deluxe rear armrest with audio and sunshade controls. Advanced driver aids include adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking

The V-Sport Platinum is, no surprise, equipped almost identically to the regular Platinum trim, with the exception of a turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine underhood (410 hp, 369 lb-ft). All-wheel drive comes standard with the V-Sport, as does a six-speed automatic transmission.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Cadillac XTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A) 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 $3.66 per gallon for regular unleaded in Alaska.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Alaska

$198/mo

$208/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#16 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Cadillac XTS from 2008-2022.}

$680/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.73x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.5%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Cadillac XTS Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

37 reviews

5(49%)

4(24%)

3(11%)

2(13%)

1(3%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Cadillac xts..old skool cool!

James, 03/08/2017

2017 Cadillac XTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

This is by far the nicest vehicle ive ever owned! Simply put, its DA BOMB!!! Huge...Sleek...powerful...refined...super comfortable..roomy...eye catching....just beautiful! We first drove the new CT5 and really liked it, but the ride was nothing compared to the xts which we drove afterwards. Got the base model in black with black interior and dark tinted windows, it looks like the top of …

Beautiful car/super comfortable

George Woodruff, 04/23/2017

2017 Cadillac XTS Platinum 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Well, now we've had it for about 40k miles( in service April '17) with no problems and still are pleased with the purchase. Still original tires in very good shape. Getting upper 20s gas mileage. We went to Lexus for our last new purchase......ES350. It is also a good value. The Caddy is bigger and quieter w more features and 20K more dollars. I haven't had the Caddy very long …

old guy sporty car!

mike, 12/25/2018

2018 Cadillac XTS Luxury 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

I love this car,Everything about it works for me.I read how pro reviewers don't think its fast,but when I tromp on it it jumps of the line and pins you in the seat an I know its true because when I took a friend for a ride he was very impressed with the excceleration!It's a beautiful car as many people have told me.So the new styling is stunning and of course it's a caddy and is an …

Would never buy any other car

R. Frost, 03/11/2018

2017 Cadillac XTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

This is my first Cadillac. Always (I'm 65 and my Pa before me) been Ford folks. Previous car 2007 Lincoln MKZ which was a very good car until about 110,000 miles then it was all downhill on the dollar slope (lots of maintenance expense). But the Cadillac....Ours is a lease return with 24,000 miles and was exceptionally clean. The positives: This car feels like I remember the big …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Cadillac XTS, so we've included reviews for other years of the XTS since its last redesign.

See all 37 reviews of the Cadillac XTS

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2018 XTS Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$46,395
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the XTS models:

Safety Alert Seat: Generates vibrating pulse patterns in the driver's seat cushion to warn of potential collisions or unsafe maneuvers.
Lane Departure Warning/Intervention: Alerts the driver when the car drifts out of the lane without a turn signal engaged. Can automatically nudge the car back into the lane.
Teen Driver: Encourages safe habits with young drivers by limiting certain functions. Also monitors teen driving habits for parents.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.8%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good