2013 Cadillac XTS Overview

2013 Cadillac XTS Overview

To better compete with large luxury sedans from Audi and BMW, Cadillac has discontinued the STS and DTS and combined their best elements to create the 2013 XTS. And it’s a beauty. Sleek and sporty, the front hood of the XTS has gentle creases to enhance its style. Although the front fascia is a bit heavy on the bling, in contrast, the rear is muted and elegant.

Under the hood, it’s got a 3.6-liter V6 with 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. Like an Audi, it’s front-wheel drive, with an option for all-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission with tap-shift control comes standard, along with 19-inch wheels (20-inchers are optional). This promises to give the car a sportier edge, like the aforementioned STS. The car is built on the same platform as the Buick LaCrosse, so it is expected to have similar handling.

And like the DTS, this new XTS emphasizes roominess. To wit: Caddy has stated the luxury sedan is designed to fit not only 4 adults, but the trunk has been carefully engineered to fit their 4 golf bags as well. Talk about knowing your clientele! And with 40 inches of legroom in the rear seats (more than its closest competitors, the Audi A8 L, the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class), nobody will feel cramped. Chock-full of hidden compartments, the XTS offers plenty of places to hide valuables while out on the course. Purple contrast stitching adds a bit of uniqueness to an otherwise unremarkable interior.

Cadillac is using the XTS to introduce its new CUE infotainment system. Although still very much in beta, it offers some promising new technology, including a proximity sensor, which can change menus when the hand is near, and a tactile pulse when a button is depressed. The digital instrument panel is also fully configurable, from a simple digital display to a more classic analog feel.

Advanced safety features will include lane departure warning and a Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates the driver's seat on the left or right, depending on the direction of the danger the sensors have detected. Ten airbags, including 2 front knee bags, will keep passengers safe during an impact.

Cadillac is aiming for a sweet spot in the marketplace, an opening left since Lincoln discontinued its Town Car, for upscale older gentlemen and their associates looking to be pampered. It’s got the name and the prestige, but will it lure buyers?