I know that looking to buy a used or pre-owned vehicle is a lot of work and can take quite a bit of time and energy. Knowing what to look for can take some of the struggles out of the process, however, which is why it can be so helpful to have a few particular models in mind as you look at dealer lots or other locations online. In general, I recommend a Cadillac certified pre-owned model if you’re in the market for a Caddy, since this gives you the price benefits of a used vehicle and the purchase security of a new model.
Even if you limit your search just to Cadillacs, and even just to certified pre-owned models, there are still likely to be dozens or hundreds of options that you’ll find. With that in mind, it can help to just have a few in particular that you’re looking at whether you’re perusing a dealer’s inventory online or walking the showroom of your local dealer. Now I don’t know exactly what will be the best SUV or sedan for you, but here are five models you should definitely check out and look for when shopping for a certified pre-owned Cadillac.
#1. The 2018 Cadillac XT5
It may be last year’s model, but if you’re interested in a solid crossover, then this is a great place to start, and you’ll save quite a bit of money on it by going with a Cadillac that’s certified pre-owned. You’ll typically find this model with a 3.6L V6 engine that provides 310-hp and up to 271 lb.-ft. of torque, which gives you excellent power and towing capacity. This was available as either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and that can impact performance and fuel economy. The front-wheel-drive version gets up to 26 MPG highway and 19 MPG in the city, while the all-wheel-drive just slightly reduces that to 25 MPG highway and 18 MPG city.
Since this is only a year old, you’ll find a lot of the same technological advantages that come in new models just now hitting the streets. This includes things like an Infotainment center with a full-color display, which you can use for all sorts of entertainment and navigation features. The 2018 model included integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can find 2018 models with great safety features like lane departure warning, a rear camera, and backup collision alert, so even though you might not have a brand new vehicle, it can still feel like it.
#2. The 2018 Cadillac CT6 Sedan
If you would prefer a sedan over an SUV or crossover, then the CT6 is hard to beat for a certified pre-owned Cadillac. This was a great year for the CT6, which offered incredible power and luxury. Even though you’re somewhat restricted by the options you find in a used model, you’re still going to get some great features no matter what trim level the previous owner chose. And even though these were brand new just a few months ago, you’ll find them for a lot less than the previous owner paid for them. Admittedly, this is still a luxury model, so it won’t be quite as affordable as some other used cars on a lot – but it’s a Cadillac, so you know what to expect.
Features on the CT6 sedan include a 2.0L turbo engine that provides 265-hp and 295 ft.-lb. of torque, though there was also an available 3.0L V6 twin turbo that provided up to 404-hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. While you can’t be sure what you’ll find in a pre-owned vehicle, just knowing that this potential is out there in a used car definitely gives you something to look for. The CT6 also has great safety features like automatic parking assist, a rear camera mirror, and alerts for forward collision risks and lane change detection.
#3. The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Still sticking with models that were new less than a year ago, the Escalade is probably the biggest name in luxury SUVs. It’s big, it’s bold, and people will remember you in this thing; whether that’s a good thing or not is up to you – I’m not here to judge, just point you in the right direction. For the record, this is a big ride, so if you don’t have room for a serious vehicle in your life, then you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. But for those who do, this is a perfect fit.
It starts with power, and the 2018 Escalade has it by the bucketful – I’m not sure what a bucket full of power looks like, but this thing has it. It’s all about the 6.2L V8 engine that offers 420-hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque – so even though this is a big SUV, it gives the driver full command of the road. Fortunately, that big size comes with some great features that you might find – things like automatic parking assist, magnetic ride control, and a rear camera mirror that gives you great visibility.
#4. The 2017 Cadillac XT5
If the very latest used models aren’t quite the value you’re looking for, then consider something just a year or two older. Even one year can make a pretty big difference in terms of cost, yet something like the 2017 Cadillac XT5 still gives you great features and had some impressive options. You might not find a ton of different options with this model, depending on how many of them a dealership has, but a certified pre-owned Cadillac like this makes for a great value.
The 2017 XT5 had a 3.6L V6 engine, which is what you’ll probably find in any of these you locate. That gave it plenty of power and is pretty much comparable to what you’ll find in 2018 models, but there were fewer options in 2017. The interior of the 2017 model was made with an eye toward luxury, so you won’t miss out on any of the finer details you’d expect from a Cadillac. Backup cameras didn’t become mandatory for cars in the US until 2018, so you might not find them in 2017 models, but it’s pretty likely you will.
#5. The 2016 Cadillac SRX
In general, the SRX has been considered the entry-level model for a Cadillac luxury crossover for years, which means you won’t find the kind of options here that you’ll likely see in something like an Escalade. But that also means this had a lower starting price for the first owner and should have a lower price now as a Cadillac certified pre-owned vehicle. It had a standard 3.6L V6 engine, however, so even though it might be a more affordable option, it’s certainly not a less impressive one.
A lot of the current technological standards were just getting introduced around 2016, so depending on the preferences of the previous owner, you might find a lot of the same luxury features here that you’d expect from a new vehicle. This includes things like Bluetooth connectivity and support for apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features include sensors and alerts for potential collisions, plus 4G Wi-Fi was standard in this model, so you will find no shortage of tech options even though the vehicle is a few years old.
