Full Cadillac Xts Review
Whats New For 2014
The 2014 cadillac xts muscles up with an optional 410-horsepower turbocharged v6. It too switches to firmly electrical power steering and offers a self-parking system as well as a new dvd/blu-ray rear entertainment system with dual screens.
Introduction
New Cars Reviews - Last year, the large news was merely that cadillac had finally introduced a modern full-size luxury sedan. This year, though, its all regarding whats underneath the 2014 cadillac xtss hood. Though we typically praised the xts in its 1st year of production, we were underwhelmed by your commonplace 304-hp v6 engine, panning its relatively modest output given the dimensions as to the car. Other then the 2014 xts has 410 reasons why power wont be a problem going forward.
Thats as a result of the new cts sport sedans optional turbocharged 3. 6-liter v6 is offered by the xts, too. Rated on a whopping 410 hp and paired solely with all-wheel drive, the turbo v6 offers this dignified cruiser the authoritative acceleration it deserves. Positive, you'll be able to stick when using the base v6 and still enjoy an excellent all-around luxury experience. Other then if youre with us in believing that a proper caddy ought to haul the mail, the new xts turbo, or vsport, as cadillac calls it, is simply what are the doctor ordered.
Otherwise, the 2014 cadillac xts is acquainted from last year, and thats excellent news in addition. This can be a conventional luxury ride utilizing a gleaming modern edge, providing age-old cadillac virtues like comfort and area, other then adding daring style outside as well as a festival of technology within. Indeed, the xtss spaceship-like cockpit and touch-sensitive management panel could well be a turnoff for individuals who yearn for our days of straightforward knobs and buttons. Other then if youre wanting to produce a new twist within this classic formula, few cars will compare.
Truly, few cars even compete during this segment anymore. One various which comes to firmly mind happens to be the chrysler 300c, a fancy version associated with a lower-priced model ; another happens to be the hyundai genesis, an aging other then competent rival. Then theres the lincoln mks, a technically similar luxury sedan that's forever left us cold. By the higher finish, you may examine models such as the audi a6 and mercedes-benz e-class, other then theyre very midsize cars and dont come back shut to firmly matching the cadillacs interior area. See what it is that we mean ? Theres not abundant else during this price vary if you wish a real full-size sedan. And when using the new turbo v6 within the whole combine, the xtss case is simply obtaining stronger.
Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options
The 2014 cadillac xts may be a five-passenger luxury sedan. There may be four trim levels : base, luxury collection, premium collection and platinum collection. Note that the premium and platinum vsport versions come back when using the optional twin-turbo v6.
Commonplace equipment for our base xts includes 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, xenon headlamps, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate management, eight-way power front seats ( with power lumbar management ), a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and leather/faux-suede upholstery. Commonplace technology features embody bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, an 8-inch center touchscreen with cadillacs cue interface, onstar, voice controls and an eight-speaker bose sound system utilizing a cd player, satellite radio, hd radio, ipod/usb connectivity and an auxiliary input.
The xts luxury collection adds led lighting accents, visible dual-exhaust outlets within the whole rear fascia, illuminated door handles, rain-sensing wipers, adjustable thigh support for front passengers, extended wood interior trim, a heated steering wheel, driver and front-passenger memory functions, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, interior ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, an automated parallel-parking system and rain-sensing wipers.
The premium collection builds on those offerings with adaptive headlamps ; automatic high beams ; a head-up show ; an upgraded driver-configurable gauge cluster show ; tri-zone automatic climate management ; a 110-volt power outlet ; a navigation system ; voice controls ; a 14-speaker bose surround-sound audio system ; rear seat audio controls ; as well as a suite of safety features that offer blind-spot detection, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alerts and front collision alerts. The premium vsport adds 20-inch wheels as well as a sportier-looking grille.
Finally, the platinum collection boasts 20-inch wheels with chrome accents, unique exterior styling, adaptive cruise management with low-speed automatic braking, a panoramic sunroof, a power rear sunshade, a faux suede headliner and further cabin leather trim with upgraded upholstery for our seats. The platinum vsport shares the premium vsports grille, other then gets a similar chrome-accented wheels just like the regular platinum.
A number of the further commonplace features due to higher trim levels often is added in the lower trim levels via varied packages. Optional for our xts premium and platinum may be a rear-seat blu-ray/dvd entertainment system with dual fold-out displays.
Powertrains And Performance
The 2014 cadillac xts starts with front-wheel drive as well as a naturally aspirated 3. 6-liter v6 engine that produces 304 hp and 264 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is commonplace. All-wheel drive is offered and could be identified by your moniker xts4. In edmunds testing, an xts4 platinum went from zero to firmly 60 in 7. 3 seconds -- a second or therefore behind similarly priced and powered luxury sedans. Fuel economy stands at an epa-estimated 17 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, whereas all-wheel-drive models are rated at 17/26/20.
If you wish additional pep, the premium and platinum vsport trims come back utilizing a turbocharged version as to the 3. 6-liter v6 that produces 410 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is commonplace when using the turbo v6, as may be a six-speed automatic. The epa rates the xts vsport at 16/24/19 mpg.
Safety
The 2014 cadillac xts comes commonplace with antilock disc brakes, stability management and traction management, front and rear seat aspect airbags, aspect curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Too commonplace is onstar, that includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation. Adaptive cruise management with low-speed automatic braking is commonplace on platinum and optional on premium.
On the market safety features embrace blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warnings, forward collision warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts but a vibrating driver seat that alerts the driver to firmly an impending collision on either aspect on your vehicle.
Interior Design And Special Features
The cadillac xts results in the type of passenger volume you expect given by a nearly 17-foot-long luxury sedan. Rear riders in specific can appreciate their ample accommodations. With 18 cubic feet of capability, the xtss trunk is one of the on your biggest that you can purchase, other then its unusually narrow, thus golf clubs can doubtless ought to be creatively positioned alongside alternative luggage.
After all, were utilized cadillacs that provide us area to firmly stretch out. The xtss futuristic dashboard, though, may be something else altogether. The optional gauge cluster show is beautiful, initial of all, with all manner of driver-configurable choices. Then theres the cue ( cadillac user experience ) interface, that integrates audio, phone, optional navigation and onstar functionality into an 8-inch touchscreen show. Those acquainted with smartphone and tablet interfaces can feel at home with cues touchscreen, because it uses similar bit, swipe and pinch commands.
There may be too auxiliary touch-sensitive buttons under the touchscreen, in spite of this, and theyre a mixed bag. These buttons facilitate management the stereo and climate systems, and that they may be a challenge to utilise if youre attempting to firmly drive with the same time. For efficient operation, you could ought to look down with the panel for a trifle to check out what youre pressing, that after all needs you taking your eyes from the road. As slick as this management panel appearance, were not convinced that its practical enough for prime time.
Driving Impressions
As imposing just like the 2014 cadillac xts appears with the curb, its a distinctly smaller car from behind the wheel. Because of the commonplace adaptive suspension, trusty steering and responsive engines, the xts manages to firmly shrink its big body close to the driver.
Nonetheless this full-size luxury sedans capable handling is a lot of of the pleasant surprise than the rest. Comfort is king for an enormous cadillac, and also the xts doesnt disappoint. The exact adaptive suspension that keeps the body composed in corners provides a firm nonetheless buttery-smooth ride on most surfaces. Its off from the floaty cadillac land yachts of yore, however when youre rolling through the highway inside an xts, theres little question youre within the whole lap of luxury.
As for your own new xts turbo v6, it very transforms the driving experience. Not that theres something very wrong with the bottom engine, other then the commonplace xts lacks the confident oomph of ancient cadillacs. The muscular vsport, by the alternative hand, feels like an previous caddy v8 from the line. Springing for your own upgraded v6 could be a no-brainer if power could be a priority.