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2018 Cadillac XTS review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Cadillac XTS highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

Pros

  • Comfortable and spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout
  • Offers plenty of standard features
  • Optional turbo V6 engine provides strong power

Cons

  • Surprisingly narrow trunk opening
  • Touch-sensitive controls can be a hassle while on the move
  • Some driver aids exclusive to upper trims

Mileage (EPA estimate)

15 city, 21 highway, 17 combined

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The 2018 Cadillac XTS offers classic American luxury sedan values

A modern interpretation of a classic American luxury sedan, the 2018 Cadillac XTS comes with plenty of features, comfortable seating, and a quiet and isolated driving experience. Under the hood is a V6 engine driving either the front or all four wheels; for more power-hungry drivers, a turbocharged version is available. Either way, the XTS is no sport sedan, but is instead much better suited to long interstate drives.

On the technology front, the XTS keeps it modern, mostly. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard, and the Premium Luxury trim and above come with a good sampling of driver assistive features, including adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

Now out of production, the XTS does feel a bit dated in a few ways. The climate control system could be stronger, and the driver-assistive systems sometimes don’t feel very smooth and are confined to upper trims. Additionally, the touch-sensitive controls can be finicky to use. Despite this, the XTS represents a solid luxury car proposition.

All Cadillac XTS years

What is new for the 2018 Cadillac XTS?

  • Trim discontinued: [Specify the discontinued trim].
  • Standard equipment on all models now includes [list key features].
  • Significant safety features upgraded or added across all trims.
  • New engine options available for enhanced performance.
  • Updated infotainment system with improved connectivity features.

2018 Cadillac XTS trims

Curious how Cadillac XTS trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Base:

  • 304-hp, 264-lb-ft of torque 3.6L
  • Rear Defroster
  • Cruise Control
  • Leather Seats
  • Power Seats
  • Power Mirrors
  • Traction Control
  • Side Airbags
  • Overhead Airbags
  • View our Cadillac XTS inventory

Luxury:

  • Includes all features available on the Base
  • Memory Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • A/C Seats
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • 4WD/AWD
  • Navigation System
  • Automated Parking
  • View our Cadillac XTS Luxury inventory

Premium Luxury:

Platinum:

Vsport Platinum:

Cadillac XTS photos

What We Like

Seat comfort and interior quiet: It should come as no surprise that a Cadillac is comfortable and quiet. The front seats are soft and cushy, perfect for long road trips, especially on upper trims that feature heated and cooled seats. The rear seats are nearly couch-like in their comfort, and all the armrests are softly padded. The XTS also isolates its passengers from road noise, providing a hushed interior experience. 

Infotainment: It’s nice to see that even in 2018, GM was making Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard on the XTS, something other luxury makers were charging extra for. Even better, the available Bose sound system sounds great. 

Driver aids: Driver assistive systems were still gaining traction in 2018, and the XTS implementation still holds up well today. We’re especially fond of the unique way Cadillac indicates things like lane drift. Rather than just simple beeps, the driver’s seat bottom vibrates the left side if the car is drifting to the left, and vice versa. It’s an intuitive approach. 

What Needs Improvement

Climate control: Considering its apparent role as the big Interstate cruiser, we’re surprised the climate control feels sub-par. It’s fine on moderate days, but if the weather heats up, or gets too cold, it struggles to keep up. We suggest looking for models with heated and cooled seats to help keep at least the driver and front passenger comfortable.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

5 out of 5

3 customer reviews

RepairPal reliability rating

3
1
2
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Cadillac XTS an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Cadillac XTS 16th out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Cadillac XTS

Cadillac XTS features and specs

Curious how Cadillac XTS trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Premium Luxury 4D Sedan 2WD

Standard Features

  • Adjustable Suspension
  • Automated Parking
  • Power Locks
  • Power Windows
  • Air Conditioning
  • Rear Defroster
  • Cruise Control
  • ABS Brakes
  • Leather Seats
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Power Mirrors
  • Traction Control
  • A/C Seat(s)
  • Side Airbags
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Head Up Display
  • Rear View Camera
  • Parking Sensors
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Smart Key
  • Remote Start
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Alloy Wheels
  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Android Auto
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • BOSE Sound System
  • Navigation System
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Apple CarPlay

Optional Features

  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Seat Massagers
  • Rear Sunshade

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

3.6L

Horsepower

304

Torque (ft-lbs)

264

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

19

Wheelbase

111.7"

Overall length

200.9"

Width

72.9"

Height

59.4"

Leg room

F 42.1"/R 40"

Head room

F 39"/R 37.8"

Front tires

P245/40R20

Rear tires

P245/40R20

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

100/1000 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Cadillac XTS FAQ

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