2018 Cadillac CTS

The 2018 Cadillac CTS is offered with four trims: the CTS base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and V-Sport. The base trim comes with a lot of tech features but misses out on some important ones like leather upholstery, heated front seats, and advanced safety features. Also, the CTS base comes with an unrefined four-cylinder engine.

Trims	CTS Base	Luxury	Premium Luxury	V-Sport
MSRP	$46,295	$52,195	$59,695	$60,995
Features	Cadillac user experience2 with Bose audio system	Includes all CTS Features, plus:	Includes all Luxury features, plus:	Magnetic Ride Control, with track-specific driver-selectable mode.
	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Leather seating surfaces.	Magnetic Ride Control.	Electronic Limited-Slip Differential.
	High-gloss Sapele wood trim	Heated and ventilated front seats, split folding rear seats.	Full-color reconfigurable Head-Up Display.	Enhanced ZF premium steering.
	Adaptive Remote Start, keyless access, and Push-Button Start	Automatic Heated steering wheel.	Choice of authentic carbon fiber or wood interior accents.	Automatic Parking Assist includes front, rear, parallel and perpendicular parking assist.
	Daytime LED running lamps and signature vertical taillamps	Navigation System.	Surround Vision.	Leather seating surfaces.
	Brembo front brakes and ZF premium steering	Bose 13-speaker Centerpoint Surround Sound System.	Automatic Parking Assist includes front, rear, parallel and perpendicular parking assist.	Cadillac user experience with Connected Navigation.
	Rear Park Assist.	UltraView sunroof.	Rear Camera Mirror.	Bose 13-speaker Centerpoint Surround Sound System.
	Rear Vision Camera	Uplevel Ambient Interior Lighting.	Power rear window sunshade and manual side sunshades.	Surround Vision.
	Wireless Charging.	HID headlamps with LED vertical light signatures.	Illuminating Door Handles and sill plates.	OnStar 4G LTE with built-in WiFi hotspot.
	OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.	Forward Collision Alert.	Tri-zone climate control with heated rear outboard seats.	18” V-Sport Ultra-bright machined finish alloy with After Midnight painted pockets and summer only low-profile tires.
	17” 10-spoke painted aluminum wheels.	Following Distance Indicator.	18” 15-spoke painted aluminum. wheels	Pirelli summer-only runs flat tires.
	All-season run-flat tires.	Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning.	All-season run-flat tires.
		Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert.
		Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
		17” 10-spoke Ultra-bright machined alloy finish with dark painted pocket wheels.

Meanwhile, the Luxury trim offers an optional V6 engine. While a four-cylinder powertrain is standard in both base and luxury models. The Premium Luxury models come powered by a non-turbo V6, while a twin-turbo V6 runs V-Sport and V-Sport Premium Luxury models. Only the V-Sport and CTS-V models are available with rear-wheel drive configuration.

We Recommend

The turbocharged V-Sport is undoubtedly appealing, so we would recommend the Luxury trim. It’s still affordable and offers decent performance with the optional 3.6-liter V6. There are numerous features added to the Luxury trim in comparison to the base trim. It comes with a 13-speaker Bose audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, and some major driver safety aids.

“With suspension tuning done on fabled race circuits and highways around the world, the CTS definitely has the handling chops you might expect from a luxury sport sedan. The CTS could even claim to be the most engaging car in its class for driving along a curvy road. Particularly with the CTS V-Sport, you’ll find that it turns in crisply and has loads of confidence-inspiring grip.” — Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

The 2018 CTS is offered in three engine options: a standard turbocharged four-cylinder and two optional V6s (one is twin-turbocharged). The twin-turbocharged V6 turns out to be the best powertrain. The base four-cylinder and non-turbo V6 does not even compete in this class. All the engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Models	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
MSRP	$46,495	$52,650	$49,700
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine	2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	7-speed automatic
Power	268 hp @ 5600 rpm	248 hp @ 6500 rpm	252 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	295 ft-lbs @ 4500 rpm	258 ft-lbs @ 4800 rpm	273 ft-lbs @ 4500 rpm

The performance-oriented CTS-V comes loaded with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that enables the sedan to sprint zero to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Acceleration

The 268-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engines let the Cadillac CTS base to accelerate zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The optional non-turbo V6 is not as powerful as you expect from a V6 of this segment. On the other hand, the twin-turbo V6 is more responsive and powerful.

Models	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
0-60 MPH	5.7 sec	6.0 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter mile	14.2 sec @ 98.0 mph	14.7 sec @ 94.4 mph	14.9 sec @ 92.0 mph
Engine	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.1	6.6	6.3

While the high-performance CTS-V is loaded with a 640-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. It is one of the most powerful engines in this class, as it sprints the sedan zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. It is capable of touching a top speed of 200 mph.

Ride and Handling

Only a few luxury sedans can match the CTS’ drivability across corners. Cadillac CTS shows precise and agile handling around twists and turns.  The high-performance CTS-V is even sportier. The athletism isn’t sacrificed and the ride goes smoothly on uneven terrain as well. Moreover, the 2018 CTS comes with Rear-wheel drive as standard, while all-wheel drive and an adaptive suspension are optional.

Model	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
Brake pads-front(in)	12.6	13.7	13.6
Brake pads Rear(in)	12.4	13.5	13.0
Curb weight(lbs)	3652	3746	3803
60-0 MPH (ft.)	115	106	117

For 2018, the CTS is best in its fuel economy and returns 25 mpg combined. The EPA rated the sedan at 22 mpg city, 30 highway, 25 combined, or 21/29/24 mpg with all-wheel-drive configuration. Meanwhile, the counterparts surpass the CTS by offering slightly better fuel economy.

Model	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
MPG city	22	24	25
MPG highway	30	34	34
MPG combined	25	27	28

Cadillac’s CTS interior features premium materials, world-class assembly quality and high-tech touches. Virtually everything is soft-touch and covered in leather, although base models get Leatherette (as do base models from Europe). The inviting ambiance is also as uniquely American as the exterior-KBB

Seating and Comfort

The 2018 CTS offers comfortable accommodation for five occupants. The fronts are pretty much comfy and spacious. The cabin feels more often driver-focused. Tall passengers might find it difficult to adjust themselves across the rear seats. The rear seats offer less legroom than the prominent rivals. Some parts of the CTS cabin are fitted with premium material while the other places are covered with cheap basic material.

Model	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
Passenger capacity	5	5	5
Passenger Volume(ft cube)	97.0	98.8	97.2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.4/56.9/45.7	38.8/58.7/41.4	37.2/57.5/41.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.5/54.8/35.4	37.5/55.9/36.5	37.8/56.3/37.4

The CTS gets 20-way adjustable seats in the front, which offers dedicated support to your body. The seats are wide and sculpted to ensure long-drive comfort. Thanks to the active noise cancellation that makes the CTS quiet.

Infotainment

Every CTS model is loaded with a standard Cadillac CUE infotainment system, which comprises of an 8-inch touchscreen integrated with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The CUE offers crisp visuals along with the amazing responsive interface. The audio controls fixed on the steering wheel allows you to control the volume and other functions. The CUE can also be controlled through a voice recognition system.

Cargo Space

Most of the prominent sedans in the segment offer better and bigger cargo volume than the Caddy. The 2018 Cadillac CTS manages to offer only 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space. The rear folding backseat is optional.

Model	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
Volume (cube ft.)	13.7	18.7	14.1

The 2018 Cadillac CTS telegraphs its otherness with steam-pressed lines and stunning LED lighting. Cadillac must have dibs on the GM corporate straight-edge. Other brands have to wait their turn while cars like the CTS cut an angular but lithe shape in the air-TheCarConnection

Design and Styling

The 2018 CTS wears new exterior color named Satin Steel Metallic. The design elements are sharp and linear, giving the CTS a distinctive look in comparison to most conservatively styled sedans. The panoramic sunroof is sunroof is optional in the base and V-Sport model whereas all other trims get it as standard.

Model	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
Curb weight(lbs)	3652	3746	3803
Length(in)	195.5	194.6	194.2
Width(in)	72.2	73.5	73.8
Height(in)	57.2	58.2	57.8
Ground clearance(in)	5.9	5.7	4.6
Wheelbase(in)	114.6	117.1	114.6
Track width(in) F/R	61.4/61.7	63.0/63.9	64.1/63.4

Last year, the sedan received a new grille treatment along with the headlamps that fit into the fenders below the nose. The taillamps are assembled above the exhaust note.

The Cadillac CTS hasn’t gone through any major changes since it was fresh in 2014. The exterior resembles similar to the outgoing model. The only refinement done with the exterior is the introduction of the new color scheme.

Wheels

The Caddy comes with Aluminum wheels that are sized as per the standards. The wheels are wide enough to provide amazing traction over uneven roads. Other rivals like BMW 530i and the Audi A6 also offer wheels of similar dimensions.

Model	Cadillac CTS Base	BMW 5Series 530i	Audi A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI
Size F/R (in.)	17*8.5/17*8.5	18*8/18*8	18*8/18*8
Quality	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Wheel type	Alloy	Alloy	Alloy

Safety Features

The key safety features included with the 2018 Cadillac CTS are

• Glove Box Door Integrated Knee Airbag Driver’s knee airbag.
• Belt-Minder front safety belt reminder
• Dual front airbags Front-seat side-impact airbags LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children)
• Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger
• Rear view camera
• Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• Illuminated entry.
• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
• Remote keyless entry system.

BMW 5-Series 530i vs Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS has few advantages over the BMW 5 series. They have many identical items, such as safety equipment, technology, handling, and performance. The CTS base trim is also cheaper than the entry-level 5-series. Caddy also offers modern styling compared to the 5-series aging design. CTS offers magnetic ride-control sustention that enhances the drivability amazingly.

Audi A6 vs Cadillac CTS

The Audi A6 has many strengths in comparison to the CTS, in terms of handling, performance, interior and safety scores. The A6 is priced slightly higher than the CTS. The A6’s base engine is much smoother and refined than the CTS powertrain. The A6 also manages to offer ample cabin space with roomier rear seats and legroom.

The 2018 Cadillac CTS offers great safety and performance tech, although it’s not one of the most accepted family-friendly luxury midsize sedans. The CTS comes with sporty handling and potent engine in the top trims. The base engine is quite underwhelming and unrefined. The cabin offers numerous features and upmarket materials.

The new CTS is all about engines along with the looks, cabin, and comfort. You’ll like the twin-turbo V6 which somehow manages to deliver better performance than the base 2.0-liter turbo four. Top of the lineup is ruled by the CTS-V, the strongest and responsive.

The Conclusion- In our view, the 2018 Cadillac CTS has a lot of things for its price and tech laden. If you are in the Market looking for a Luxurious sedan with a bit of Sportiness to satisfy the needs of the Driving Enthusiast inside of you, The Cadillac can defintely be a Car to look out for.