Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS was a proper luxury sport sedan, a role it played since it entered the market in 2003. Not only was it offered with a range of powerful engines—including the supercharged V8 in the CTS-V—but the CTS delivered dynamic driving characteristics, making it quite enjoyable for driving enthusiasts. At the same time, the CTS delivered the level of equipment and luxury expected of a Cadillac. Even the base-level trim featured an eight-inch touchscreen display with the CUE infotainment system, wireless device charging, and Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™. Higher trims also got a selection of advanced driver-assist features, as well as Magnetic Ride Control for a smoother ride.
Explore the evolution of the Cadillac CTS
Get our expert take on used Cadillac CTS models, or view year-by-year changes.
Third generation Cadillac CTS
When Cadillac first introduced the CTS, it redefined what the luxury brand was capable of, and the third generation’s bold new look and extensive refinement advanced that notion. Longer and lower than its predecessor, the CTS arrived in 2014 as a more refined competitor to such stalwarts as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. High-end materials like leather, wood, carbon fiber, and anodized aluminum gave the CTS a feeling of elegance. Cadillac offered a range of advanced driver-assist features on the CTS, but only the rearview camera was standard.
When the CTS sedan arrived in 2014, it was offered with three engine options that included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 3.6-liter V6, and a 420-horsepower turbo V6 available exclusively in the CTS V-Sport. While the CTS coupe, CTS wagon, and CTS-V were sold in 2014, they were still built on the previous platform and were discontinued in 2015. The high-performance CTS-V returned in 2016, sporting a 640-horsepower supercharged V8.
Model highlights
High-performance CTS-V (added in 2016)
Android Auto™/Apple CarPlay® (added in 2016)
Eight-inch touchscreen display with CUE (Cadillac User Experience)
Available all-wheel drive
Available Magnetic Ride Control
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2014 - 2019
2019 Cadillac CTS
2018 Cadillac CTS
2017 Cadillac CTS
2016 Cadillac CTS
Highlights
Updated 3.6-liter V6
Eight-speed automatic
Improved infotainment system
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ available
High-performance CTS-V returned to the lineup
Learn more
2015 Cadillac CTS
Highlights
Wagon and coupe discontinued
Updated grille and emblem
4G Wi-Fi data connectivity
Learn more
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Cadillac CTS an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Cadillac CTS 33rd out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Cadillac CTS is $534, compared to an average of $617 for Luxury Midsize Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Cadillac CTS owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.9 times per year, compared to an average of 1.4 times for Luxury Midsize Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 19% for the Cadillac CTS, compared to an average of 13% for Luxury Midsize Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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