2017 Cadillac XTS Review

The XTS is a modern interpretation of what used to be Cadillac’s bread and butter, namely the comfortable and spacious luxury sedan. Available for a few years now the XTS still offers a wide range of options and for 2017 changes are limited to additional specification levels.

What’s it like inside?

For those wanting uncompromised interior space both front and rear with a high level of luxury then the XTS may well be the right fit for you. Material quality is of a very high standard and while even the base XTS is a comfortable car you will need to opt for the higher trim levels to get the most sumptuous interior fittings.

Despite being a few years old the dashboard and instrument cluster have been updated to offer the latest in infotainment and mobile connectivity. Traditional Cadillac shoppers may not be too enamored with having to access the CUE infotainment system for even minor controls but overall there is little to complain about the comprehensive setup.

The trunk also offers ample space and with a well-insulated interior and comfortable seating, overall the XTS feels like the big and luxurious sedan that it is.

How does it drive?

The XTS is clearly not designed to be a sharp-handling backroad companion, there are other models in Cadillac’s range that are better equipped for that sort of thing.

There is the V-Sport trim option which offers a more powerful engine and larger alloys but even this model does not deter the XTS from its intended role of large highway cruiser.

What it excels at is in offering a relaxed and composed ride filtering out road undulations with ease although the larger available wheels can harm the ride quality.

What about the performance?

The Cadillac XTS is equipped standard with a 3.6-liter V6 which makes 304 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels, all-wheel drive is available. V-Sport trims come with a twin-turbo version of the 3.6-liter V6 and this power unit has 410 hp and 369 lb-ft, all-wheel drive is standard.

The base 304 hp models 0-60 mph time is slightly below the class average but it propels the big XTS along without complaint, combined fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg, dropping to 20mpg for the all-wheel drive version.

With its additional 106 hp and 105 lb-ft the V-Sport offers a big performance boost over the base model, it delivers mid 5-second times for the 0-60 mph benchmark and if you require the added power it is well worth it. The average mpg rating drops by 2 over the all-wheel drive base model which is a fair price to pay for the additional power on offer.

What are my options?

The XTS is available with two drivetrain options and four trim levels.

The base trim comes with the 304 hp V6 and offers 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, 8-way leather covered power front seats, rear parking sensors and an 8-inch color CUE infotainment system incorporating Bluetooth, smartphone compatibility (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and a Bose audio system.

Luxury Collection Trim is also reserved for the 304 hp engine and adds a navigation system, heated front and rear seats, rearview camera and detail changes to interior trim and lighting. A parallel parking system is standard too if all-wheel drive is not chosen. Notable optional equipment for this trim is a Driver Awareness Package which incorporates lane departure warning, collision alert and surround vision.

Premium Luxury Trim includes all of the above and adds a 12.3-inch infotainment system, head-up display, 14-speaker Bose audio system and adaptive forward lighting. Opting for the V-Sport Premium Luxury Trim adds the 410 hp engine which is all-wheel drive only.

Platinum Trim offers Semi-Aniline leather seats with 22-way adjustment and massage feature, 20-inch wheels and a Driver Assist Package which includes adaptive cruise control and automatic braking assist. V-Sport Platinum adds the 410 hp engine.

The Verdict

The 2017 Cadillac XTS is a big, modern luxury sedan that offers effortless long-distance cruising ability and comfort along with up-to-date technological and safety features. A large range of available options allow shoppers to spec their XTS to be a relaxed cruiser, rapid luxury sedan or a bit of both.