Quote:The car's exterior design is strong, despite certain "hard point" limitations the XTS inherited from Buick. For example, the large, nearly swaggering Cadillac 16-Concept like front end is cheated by a dash-to-axle ratio that just screams front-wheel drive. Look at the puny amount of metal between the front wheel cut and the door. It's nearly identical to an Accord or a Passat. While all-wheel drive is available on three of the four XTS trim levels, the car is clearly, visibly based on FWD architecture. And while Audi somehow gets away with marketing front-wheel drivers as luxury cars, I just don't think it will work for Caddy. Neither do they, as the coming-very-soon ATS, new CTS and eventual "flagship" will all be rear drive. Back to the XTS. There are some nice exterior touches, like the future-look side mirrors and the fin-like taillights, a nice homage to Caddies like the 1958 Fleetwood Series 62. But while the design is good, it doesn't scream "Standard of the World." That's problematic because according to Caddy, that's where the brand must be headed. In other words, while pretty good looking, the XTS's bulbous bod just isn't as sexy and desirable as it needs to be.

Then you have the interior, and it's a near knockout. I've long critiqued Cadillacs for not being as luxurious on the inside as the German and (some of the) Japanese competition. No longer. Nearly every surface is made from high-quality, soft-touch materials. Those that aren't are either wood or metal. And it actually looks designed. The cabin's width is emphasized, as the sides of the dash seem to push the A-pillars outward. In fact, the trim pieces are so long they continue past the door cut. When you drop the $60K required to get into the XTS Platinum, you get trimmings like a perforated leather dashboard with purple contrast stitching and a roof swathed in GM's most-excellent faux-Alcantara - the same super high-quality stuff that's wrapped around the steering wheel and shift knob in the CTS-V. It's almost impossible to overstate how deluxe the XTS' interior is. Case in point: I came and left the XTS drive in a Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG, and the XTS's innards are noticeably finer overall.

Quote:In fact, going back to that six-figure AMG I drove to the event, the XTS Platinum had a noticeably finer, more sporting ride.

Quote:Make no mistake, the 2013 Cadillac XTS is a big car. It's nearly 17 feet long, more than 6 feet wide and nearly 5 feet tall. But indulge this big boy's abilities on a twisty road and you'll be amazed by his moves.

And big guys who can really dance are always fun.

Still, it's the XTS's capacity to shrink itself around its driver that makes it feel so capable. Largely, this competence is a product of the sedan's magnetic-ride dampers, honest steering and precise throttle control, which yield road manners far closer to its V-based brethren than to the DTS and STS cars that it replaces.

We'll admit that part of us is intrigued by a Cadillac that floats down the road while pillowing through potholes and wallowing over frost heaves, but mercifully, the XTS is no Fleetwood Brougham.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS's extensive tech puts it at the leading edge of automotive features, functionality and interface design. And from behind the wheel it's as competent, capable and comfortable as it needs to be. But it's still not the massive, rear-drive sedan offered by some of Cadillac's competition.

How much this matters will depend on just how big you need your big boy to be. We think this one is plenty big enough.

Quote:Only one engine and transmission combination is available in the 2013 Cadillac XTS. It's the same 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 used in the smaller CTS, but here it's mounted transversely to drive the front wheels (all-wheel drive is optional). It's tuned to produce 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque and coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

According to Peterson, the front-drive, 4,006-pound XTS is good for zero to 60 in 6.8 seconds and will hit a top speed of 136 mph. Front-drivers are also estimated to achieve 17 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Quote:At 111.7 inches the XTS's wheelbase isn't as long as the standard-wheelbase versions of the Audi A8 (117.8 inches) or BMW 7 Series (120.9 inches), but it exceeds those cars' front and rear legroom and its 18-cubic-foot trunk makes their cargo areas look laughably small by comparison. We adjusted the driver seat for our driving position, then planted our 5-foot, 9-inch frame in the backseat and found nearly a full foot between our knees and the seatback. Only the mutants will need more room.

Quote:With an overall length of 202 inches, it lacks the DTS's sheer expanse (207.6 inches), but space is used more efficiently here — and it's still more than 5 inches longer than the STS.

At 111.7 inches the XTS's wheelbase isn't as long as the standard-wheelbase versions of the Audi A8 (117.8 inches) or BMW 7 Series (120.9 inches), but it exceeds those cars' front and rear legroom and its 18-cubic-foot trunk makes their cargo areas look laughably small by comparison. We adjusted the driver seat for our driving position, then planted our 5-foot, 9-inch frame in the backseat and found nearly a full foot between our knees and the seatback. Only the mutants will need more room.

lengnert;207881 Wrote:After reading both reviews it is apparent that Cadillac has done some nice work with the XTS.

I don't know as I could overcome the exterior styling (unless in person it looks better than pics), but the interior might make up for it.

BasiliskSt;207888 Wrote:I do not have the RWD bias of some. If anything, being from the snow belt, I have a preference for FWD. If you read how the XTS actually delivers in driving feel and capability it sounds great.

My prediction? This class of buyer tends to enjoy having people know they have a new car and the XTS clearly looks new and different. Personally, its "standout" styling is a strength. I think it will be a sales success. I'm a fan of Cadillac's Art & Science design. The CTS, XTS and ATS have introduced more use of curves (albeit still punctuated with sharp edges) to the design language. The long roof arc of the XTS looks great. Looks like a worthy American standard bearer to me.

Quote:which yield road manners far closer to its V-based brethren than to the DTS and STS cars that it replaces

jaybird;207898 Wrote:

lengnert;207881 Wrote:After reading both reviews it is apparent that Cadillac has done some nice work with the XTS.

I don't know as I could overcome the exterior styling (unless in person it looks better than pics), but the interior might make up for it.

Having seen the XTS in person the exterior styling does look much better in person. For a large car, they do a great job of it not really looking large. That has always been my problem with the MKS. The real half of the car just looks so huge, like J Lo's ass.

Cmicasa the GreatXvX;207903 Wrote:

jaybird;207898 Wrote:

lengnert;207881 Wrote:After reading both reviews it is apparent that Cadillac has done some nice work with the XTS.

I don't know as I could overcome the exterior styling (unless in person it looks better than pics), but the interior might make up for it.

Having seen the XTS in person the exterior styling does look much better in person. For a large car, they do a great job of it not really looking large. That has always been my problem with the MKS. The real half of the car just looks so huge, like J Lo's ass.

I think the XTS is damn near perfect. If anything.. the German cars are vastly overpriced.. In reality.. my issue with the car is that Cadillac didn't release everything at once.. despite the explanation given.. they should have because all XTS potential customers are not gonna be current DTS/STS ones. a BIGGER engine is pretty much what I'm bitching about. 400+HP is waiting on the 8Speed I'm betting.. and GM could have gone the Chrysler route and just sourced one for the time being. But like all GM cars.. including the next Vette.. I'll be waiting to the 2nd or 3rd year to buy.. simply because U KNO THEY ARE GONNA CHANGE SOME SHIT to make it even better. Proof???

2005 Corvette LS2 and shitty steering wheel gets upgraded to LS3, better shifting tranny and better interior in 2008. 2010 the Wide Body Grand Sport arrives sporting all the Z06's looks but capablity of convertible or targa.


just one example