New Cadillac XTS is New Front-Wheel Drive Luxury Sedan Replacing STS and DTS

Cadillac seems to think that the way to create a modern, executive sedan is to pack a ton of technology into an attractive package, and it might just be right. The XTS debuted on November 16 at the LA Auto Show to take the place of the Cadillac STS and DTS sedans. Unlike both of those cars, the XTS comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive and a 3.6 liter V6 engine. Cadillac must feel very confident about this car to offer its top of the line sedan with a V6 when the company has always been known for thumping V8s. 

The XTS's exterior is clearly a modern Cadillac sedan. Like the CTS is has vertical headlights and a modern, angular body. It looks like a much more buttoned down, adult CTS. The XTS is a great looking car from the exterior, but there is little to say about it. It is a big, modern Cadillac.

The interior is spacious and equally modern. It is the most spacious Cadillac sedan with 40in (1.016 meters) of rear legroom more than the BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6. It also has 18 cubic feet (509l) of trunk space more than Audi A6 and A8L, BMW 5-series and 7-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class.

The technology both mechanically and on the interior is where the XTS shines. The XTS comes with optional Haldex all-wheel drive with an electronic, limited-slip differential, but front-wheel drive is standard. Magnetic Ride Control, which previously had been found on the Corvette and Cadillac XLR, rear air suspension, HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo brakes are all standard. It uses a capless fuel tank filler, folding rear seat headrests and braking assist that can intervene when it detects an incoming accident. It also has short- and long-range radar for adaptive cruise control and front and rear automatic brakes.

The XTS comes with a direct injected, 3.6l V6 with 300hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. 

Cadillac calls the interior technology package CUE, Cadillac User Experience. The XTS has a standard eight inch screen mounted in the center with a capacitive-touch control with proximity sensing, gesture recognition and natural voice recognition. There is optional a 12.3in screen with a reconfigurable screen that allows drivers to decide how much information they want to see. 

There is also two optional packages called Enhanced Safety Strategy that add a variety of other functions to the XTS's interior. ESS I adds Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Seat, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Reflected LED display. ESS II is everything in the ESS I package plus: a color head-up display,front and rear automatic brake, adaptive cruise control and automatic collision preparation.