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.
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.
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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.
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 |
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.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.
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 withgas pricesat 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.
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