[Sal Collaziano]

I'm getting my transmission beefed up by Renntech and have a Cadillac XTS for a loaner. I drove it home last night, to the gym this morning, to the mall this afternoon and I just got home. I like it. It's nearly 100% traditional "Cadillac". Even the engine feels kinda traditional in a late 70s / early 80s sense (it can't move out of it's own way). Around town power is perfectly adequate. The ride is smooth but it still handles well (though not floaty like a traditional Cadillac). The engine feels very smooth unless you need passing power or need to merge into traffic moving over 40 miles per hour - then it's a bit loud and it sounds like it's struggling. I'm sure the twin turbo XTS - even with it's reduced torque - is great. The seats are 110% traditional Cadillac. There's no support but that's fine with me because this car isn't for carving corners. It's pretty quiet inside. I don't like the capacitive controls but it only took me about ten minutes to get used to. No big deal, really - but I definitely prefer normal controls. The car feels roomy from the front seats - I haven't sat in the back of an XTS in a long time. The materials inside are fine.

Altogether I like it (though I wouldn't buy it) and I do believe there's a place for it in Cadillac's lineup - one single car of it's kind is good. However, if an upcoming RWD car comes to replace it - that wouldn't bother me. I can't say I really feel "good" driving it like I did my LS460L or my current E63 AMG. But I think the target audience for the XTS has a nice car if they want a Cadillac.

I still feel the XTS should have been named DTS because that's essentially what it is...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I really like the XTS for all of the reasons you listed. It's essentially America's last land yacht.

Even though it's not exactly "big" - at least not to traditional Cadillac lovers - it's got all the right qualities for that type of car.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thanks Sal!

I've driven a 3.6 Platinum and a Vsport Platinum XTS. There isn't anything at the same price point as luxurious or spacious as the XTS Platinum. From that standpoint, it's a winner.

Regarding the performance, the 3.6 was fine but you could clearly feel the weight of the car. I never felt like there wasn't enough power in most situations, but it did lack torque for a vehicle of that size. The Vsport was completely different. I stomped on it a couple times at the stoplight; no wheel spin. It just hooked up and went. More power than I could use in most situations. I've driven the C7, Camaro SS and ATS; the XTS had more than enough performance for everyday driving.

Aside from the fact that it was FWD/AWD, the XTS is a very good car. Had it been RWD, which doesn't make a difference in 90% of driving situations, the world would be extremely happy about it.

I wish I had a Platinum as a loaner. I'm sure that's a good bit nicer on the inside. I'm sure the VSport feels great. The media would like it better if the XTS was rear wheel drive but I do believe a front wheel drive vehicle has it's place in a lineup. Lexus does fine with their ES350...

XTS is a nice car, I really don't understand the hate towards it. It has never been the brands flagship and we have the CTS for the true sporty Cadillac. The XTS has its Fan base and it really is a money maker for the brand.

The hate comes from the fact that if Cadillac is trying to be as successful as brands like BMW and Mercedes, they shouldn't have any front wheel drive V6 full size cars. I can understand that logic but I think the XTS serves a good purpose. There are enough people looking to buy a car just like it.

The XTS WISHES it could be the DTS. The DTS was just a cool, badass car. It was outdated, outclassed, whatever, but it was just awesome. Something about it was just awesome. Something about it... Glad you like the XTS though. I wouldn't buy one personally. The CTS is just so much better for basically the same coin.

I don't know. I do like the DTS but on the other hand, the DTS wishes it had AWD and 420 or whatever horsepower...

The xts is a sharp looking car. I believe it's selling well. Good luck with renn tech updating your E63. Should be cool.

So far, so good. I should be at about 775hp at the moment. The car is kind of a monster...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

410 HP is nice, but I'd rather have a car with road presence. The DTS had that in spades.

Yeah, I think the DTS had more road presence than the XTS has. And power with the Northstar was adequate. Once rolling it felt pretty good, actually.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

How long you plan on keeping it?

I don't know, honestly. I love the car. Probably at least a couple of years...

As for the quote below - the one picture I 'quoted' looks great. THAT car has road presence. But most XTSs do not. They're very bland. The one pictured here is pretty nice. I haven't seen one look that good on the street yet. Or anywhere - besides this picture...

I have read a few times here, and I think it's been made official, that there is a second generation under development.

The XTS has loads of presence, and it has a kinetic poise and a grace that the DTS never could.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I think both the DTS and XTS look great, but I can see where Envoy is coming from.

The squared-off look definitely looks more classic Cadillac American luxury. Luckily for us, it looks like the CT6 will end up being a DTS replacement, boxy styling and all.

I'm also a fan of that squarish styling as well. I feel Cadillacs SHOULD have hard edges. But I also like chrome...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

A proper Cadillac that GM let rot on the vine way too long.

It's only the name that actually rotted. The XTS is the new DTS and some people like it - some people don't. They could have badged it DTS or DeVille and it wouldn't change anything. The next DTS was going to become the car the XTS is one way or another.