2013 Cadillac XTS: Drive review

The 2013 Cadillac XTS brings back a roomy, full-size front- or all-wheel-drive sedan to the company's lineup, undoubtedly satisfying the brand's tradi.

What is it?

The 2013 Cadillac XTS brings back a roomy, full-size front- or all-wheel-drive sedan to the company's lineup, undoubtedly satisfying the brand's traditional shoppers who might have wondered what all of that high-speed Nürburgring-lapping was about. In case you wanted to know, it was to prove Cadillac's global high-end car competence. But that preoccupation left obvious gaps in the product portfolio. 

The XTS helps take care of that. Along with gobs of passenger and luggage space (18 cubic feet of it), the XTS showcases Cadillac's suite of safety and convenience technologies, including a seat that vibrates to alert the driver of potential hazards and a flexible telematics interface called Cadillac User Experience (CUE).

To be made available in either Premium or Platinum trim levels, the XTS has styling that is noticeably more subtle and less edgy than some of its stablemates. The interior, in particular, has an elegant simplicity that integrates the high-tech switches and displays in a way that convincingly blends modernity and tradition.

The powertrain will be a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 hooked to a six-speed automatic for the foreseeable future. “We're not supposed to tease journalists with speculation about future engine upgrades,” a Cadillac engineer we questioned said.

For the role the XTS will play—fielding a more traditional Caddy and replacing the current DTS, at least temporarily—the power and refinement offered by the new car is an important step forward. And the sophisticated electronic instrumentation and telematics interface goes hand-in-hand with the stylish look to underline Cadillac's approach to luxury. 

What is it like to drive?

The powertrain combination is calibrated to provide good initial response, so the car moves off smartly as you step on the gas. It is similarly muscular around town, with enough torque to hold its own in aggressive urban traffic. The limitations of the 3.6-liter engine become more evident in hilly environments, where the need to rev all the way to 6,800 rpm to achieve maximum horsepower makes passing a carefully considered affair.

It's not that 304 hp is inadequate. It's just that two tons is a lot of car for an engine that size to push around. In the more likely combination of urban and open-road environments that this model will mostly inhabit, we're sure drivers will be content with what the engine can deliver.

They'll surely appreciate the so-called HiPer strut front suspension, which has a dual-path top mounting to separate spring and damper loads to the body that reduces torque steer while also improving ride and steering. The steering-assist system is, surprisingly, hydraulic, with General Motors' Magnasteer variable weighting. It is a welcome change from the current epidemic of all-electric mechanisms.

So the car steers nicely, with no significant interference from the driveline. The chassis has Cadillac's magnetic-ride variable-damping shock system to broaden the bandwidth and make available both a comfortable ride and taut ride-motion control when needed. Our brief drive route suggested that the XTS is never going to be a sports car, nor even a hard-edged sports sedan, but confirmed that it works pretty well in all situations.

As is customary in the luxury realm, the XTS has a full complement of safety systems, with low-speed object recognition with auto-brake, high-speed collision warning and lane-keeping and other vehicle warnings via vibrations (left, right or combined) in the driver's cushion bolsters. Talk about seat-of-the-pants driving!

Do I want one?

The XTS fills an important role in the company's product portfolio, catering to the Cadillac client looking for a traditional large luxury car. Yet its tidy packaging and intelligent design cleverly understate the car's size. 

Plus, for those not well disposed to Cadillac's recent origami body styling, the XTS strikes a less radical pose. And its pricing structure—ranging from about $45,000 to $59,000—presents a tempting alternative to the substantially more expensive Audi A8, BMW 7-series and Lexus LS models that share the XTS's 200-inch length.

No wonder Cadillac's staffers look so happy to see it. 

2013 Cadillac XTS

On Sale: July

Base Price: $44,995

Drivetrain: 3.6-liter V6; 304-hp, 264 lb-ft; FWD or AWD, six-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4,006/4215 lb (FWD/AWD)

0-60 MPH: 6.7 sec (est)

Fuel Economy (EPA): 17/28 mpg (est) 

Gallery

The powertrain will be a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 hooked to a six-speed automatic for the foreseeable future..

To be made available in either Premium or Platinum trim levels, the XTS has styling that is noticeably more subtle and less edgy than some of its stab.

As is customary in the luxury realm, the XTS has a full complement of safety systems, with low-speed object recognition with auto-brake, high-speed co.

An elegantly simple and clean interior reside in the 2013 Cadillac XTS..

Speaker-laced seats inside the new 2013 Cadillac XTS..

The interior, in particular, has an elegant simplicity that integrates the high-tech switches and displays in a way that convincingly blends modernity.

The powertrain combination is calibrated to provide good initial response, so the car moves off smartly as you step on the gas..

The dash and console in the new 2013 Cadillac XTS..

And the sophisticated electronic instrumentation and telematics interface goes hand-in-hand with the stylish look to underline Cadillac's approach to .

Illuminated door-sills on a Platinum package equipped 2013 Cadillac XTS..

And its pricing structure—ranging from about $45,000 to $59,000—presents a tempting alternative to the substantially more expensive Audi A.

For the role the XTS will play—fielding a more traditional Caddy and replacing the current DTS, at least temporarily—the power and refinem.

A rear view of the 2013 Cadillac XTS..

Along with gobs of passenger and luggage space (18 cubic feet of it), the XTS showcases Cadillac's suite of safety and convenience technologies, inclu.

The XTS fills an important role in the company's product portfolio, catering to the Cadillac client looking for a traditional large luxury car. Yet it.

For those not well disposed to Cadillac's recent origami body styling, the XTS strikes a less radical pose..

A light-colored interior of the 2013 Cadillac XTS..