Are Cadillacs Good Cars?

With average ratings for reliability and fuel economy and above-average ratings for safety, you can’t go wrong with a Cadillac.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Cadillacs rank relatively well, with an average Edmunds rating of 7.4 and an average Car and Driver rating of 7.8. 
Cadillacs may not be as sleek as their luxury German or Italian competitors, but those who bought one of the 117,994 Cadillacs sold in 2021 know something you might not: Cadillacs are a good choice when it comes to luxury and safety.
Jerry
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car insurance
savings, has the ultimate guide to the strengths and weaknesses of Cadillac cars. We’ll go over everything about the brand’s eleven current models, from safety and reliability to affordability and other factors. We can also help you find the
best car insurance for Cadillacs
.
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Are Cadillacs good cars? 

Cadillac has been producing luxury cars since 1902. Cadillac was known for pioneering precision manufacturing and producing highly reliable vehicles. Its first vehicles, the Runabout and Tonneau, were impressive enough to garner 2,000 pre-orders. Today, Cadillac leads the luxury market in the United States.
Cadillac is known for its engineering feats, including developing the V8 engine, and it is known among consumers for producing extravagant vehicles that are seen as status symbols. Though not as elegant as some of its European counterparts, Cadillac still leads the American market for luxury vehicles.
Here are the eleven Cadillac models on the market as of 2022:
Model
Starting price
Years
Vehicle type
Edmunds.com rating
Car and Driver rating
Escalade
$76,295
1999 to present
Full-size SUV
8.0/10
8.5/10
XT6
$48,595
2019 to present
Mid-size crossover SUV
7.3/10
6.5/10
Lyriq
$62,990
2021 to present
Electric SUV
N/A
N/A
XT5
$43,995
2015 to present
Compact SUV
7.4/10
5.5/10
XT4
$35,795
2018 to present
Small SUV
6.9/10
8/10
CT5
$37,295
2019 to present
Mid-size sedan
7.8/10
6.5/10
CT5-V
$50,095
2019 to present
Sport sedan
N/A
N/A
CT5-V Blackwing
$83,995
2021 to present
Sport sedan
N/A
10/10
CT4
$33,695
2019 to present
Small sedan
6.6/10
7.5/10
CT4-V
$45,895
2019 to present
Sport sedan
6.9/10
N/A
CT4-V Blackwing
$58,995
2021 to present
Sport sedan
8/10
10/10
Did you know? Cadillacs are named for Le Sieur Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who founded Detroit in 1701.

Are Cadillacs reliable?

To make a reliable car, a brand needs a car to break down infrequently and be affordable and easy to repair. Factors that make a brand reliable include good warranties, low repair costs, and infrequent recalls.
Cadillacs have slightly below-average reliability scores compared to other models on the road according to findings by RepairPal. The biggest hit to Cadillac’s reliability score was the frequency of severe repairs. Severe repairs were involved 17% of the times a Cadillac needed repairs, as compared to 12% with other brands.
MORE:

Are Cadillacs safe?

Historically, Cadillacs have been very safe vehicles that earned near-perfect scores from both the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though many of the new models have not yet been rated. 
Cadillac has recommitted itself to safety, pledging to install the following safety options in all Cadillac cars, regardless of trim level, as of 2021:
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Forward collision alert
  • Front pedestrian braking
  • Safety Alert Seat (part of the bottom of the seat vibrates to alert danger approaching on one side of the car)
  • Rear park assist
  • Rear vision camera
  • Vehicle diagnostics
  • Rear seat alert
  • Teen driver settings (allows parents to control certain components, like audio volume, when a teen is driving)
Here’s a complete rundown of Cadillac’s safety ratings and recalls:
Model
NHTSA rating
Recalls
IIHS rating
2021 Escalade
4 stars
7
N/A
2021 XT6
5 stars
3
Good
2021 Lyriq
N/A
N/A
N/A
2021 XT5
5 stars
4
Good
2021 XT4
5 stars
1
Good
2021 CT5
5 stars
2
N/A
2021 CT5-V
N/A
1
N/A
2021 CT5-V Blackwing
N/A
N/A
N/A
2021 CT4
N/A
2
N/A
2021 CT4-V
N/A
N/A
N/A
2021 CT4-V Blackwing
N/A
N/A
N/A
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

Are Cadillacs expensive to maintain?

The
average annual repair cost for Cadillac
models is $783 according to RepairPal, which makes a Cadillac’s repair slightly above the average of $652. Most
Cadillacs can last
Cadillacs can last up to 150,000 mileswith proper maintenance and repairs.
The most unreliable Cadillac is the now-discontinued
SRX model
, which has 562 complaints on CarComplaints.com for the 2010 model year. The biggest complaints reported had to do with the lights—water in the headlights, dim low beams, and a compromised seal around the headlight all topped the list.
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Are Cadillacs good on gas?

Cadillac hasn’t ranked in many studies for fuel economy, and that’s probably because its current lineup offers an average combined fuel economy of 21.4 mpg, slightly below the 2021 GM average of 22.5 mpg. The worst manufacturer for fuel economy in 2021 according to a report by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
was GM, Cadillac’s parent company, which doesn’t bode well for the brand.
Here are the 2021 fuel economy ratings for all eleven Cadillac models as tested by Car and Driver:
Model
City
Highway
Combined
Escalade
15 mpg
20 mpg
17 mpg
XT6
17 mpg
24 mpg
20 mpg
Lyriq
N/A
N/A
N/A
XT5
21 mpg
28 mpg
24 mpg
XT4
22 mpg
29 mpg
24 mpg
CT5
23 mpg
33 mpg
28 mpg
CT5-V
18 mpg
27 mpg
22 mpg
CT5-V Blackwing
13 mpg
21 mpg
15 mpg
CT4
20 mpg
28 mpg
23 mpg
CT4-V
20 mpg
28 mpg
23 mpg
CT4-V Blackwing
15 mpg
23 mpg
18 mpg
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Keep in mind that certain engine upgrades, like upgrading to a V8, are going to negatively impact fuel economy on these models. If you’re trying to protect the environment, opt for the standard engine over a V8.
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

Are Cadillacs fun to drive?

Cadillacs are luxury cars for a reason, and it’s not just the nice interior—they’re powerful, sporty vehicles that are delightful to drive.
What makes a Cadillac fun to drive is the amount of luxury you get in your drive. Packed with technology, each Cadillac makes driving a comfortable and joyous experience rather than a chore, but you’ll pay for this sort of convenience. The most tech-rich ride the Cadillac offers is also one of its most expensive: the
Escalade
.
If you’re looking for a ride that’s more sporty than futuristic, try either one of the Blackwing models for a truly legendary ride—the CT5-V Blackwing hits 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Car and Driver called it a sports sedan “for the ages.” 

What’s the best Cadillac?

It’s hard to say
which Cadillac you should buy
. It comes down to personal preference in addition to budget, family size, and other factors. All the same, a couple of models do stand out from the crowd.
  • Cadillac XT4
    : Finally, an SUV whose gas mileage won’t break the bank—especially with
    gas prices
    at record highs. With a combination of fuel economy, good safety ratings, infotainment, and affordability, it’s no wonder the XT4 tops our list for the best SUV Cadillac offers.
  • Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: Yes, it’s Cadillac’s most expensive car. Yes, it’ll exceed your expectations and yes, it’s going to take years for other manufacturers to catch up to the driving technology this car provides. With a perfectly balanced steering wheel and weighted brake pedal, you’ll wonder how you’ve ever driven a car without these features.

How to find affordable Cadillac insurance

On average, it costs drivers $2,451 annually to insure a Cadillac, compared to the nationwide average of $2,297 for full coverage. However, the exact rate is going to depend on the car’s model and age, your driving record, your demographics, and other information, like your location.
However, it’s easy and free to lower your rates with
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance shopping super app
. Signing up takes about 45 seconds, then Jerry compares plans from over 50 top providers to find you the best price for the coverage you need.
Jerry’s team will walk you through the signup process and even help you cancel your old policy. Users save an average of over $800 a year.
“After I bought my new car, the insurance companies tried charging me $315/month.
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FAQs

Cadillacs can last a long time—at least 150,000 miles with proper maintenance and care. The amount of time it’ll take you to get to that kind of mileage depends on how much you drive annually.
Cadillacs do not hold their value as well as say, a Lexus. That’s why there isn’t a robust market for used Cadillacs—owners don’t want to lose out on value!
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