For many of our readers in the United States, chances are pretty high that you’ve had or driven in a Cadillac in your life at one point or another. Whether it was riding in the back of your father’s oversized Seville trying not to drop your ice cream or your best friend got a used Cadillac for their sixteenth birthday and you are on your first ride around town as an adult. If you are in the market for new or Cadillac used cars or simply loved watching the Ghostbusters tear through New York City (yes, that’s a Cadillac Chassis) and decided you wanted your own Ecto-1, we will hit on the current models on the market. The Cadillac name and appearance is simply ubiquitous in western culture, so why not buy one (or save up and buy one of these models once they hit the used market).
So, if these memories of boat-sized Cadillacs are the picture still in your brain, you may be in for a bit of a shock to see the current 2019 lineup. Like many western car manufacturers such as Buick and Ford, Cadillac has brought their classic brand and commitment to luxury into the modern age with sporty designs and cutting-edge technology. Let’s take a look at a few of their latest offerings to see just how far this revered auto company has come in the last few decades.
CTS Sedan
Starting off with their baseline model, the CTS Sedan, Cadillac makes it clear that every car in their lineup is deserving of flash and power. Starting at $46,995, the CTS Sedan is the entry point to the world of the modern Cadillac.
At first glance, the CTS looks simply striking. So far past the long and boxy Cadillac designs of the 1970s and 1980s, those who haven’t seen a Cadillac in a while may need a double take to believe their eyes. The folks at Cadillac claim that the CTS is “carved to perfection,” and it’s easy to see what they mean. The signature headlamps, aerodynamic frame, and massive insignia-laid grille make this a car that truly stands alone in its appearance.
Under the hood, the CTS maintains the same capacity to impress. Its standard 2.0L turbo engine creates 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The CTS also comes with available 3.6L V6 and 3.6L V6 twin turbo models for a little bit more kick.
ATS-V
Next in line is the Cadillac ATS-V, or for the sake of simplifying Cadillac’s track-ready sports car. The ATS-V maintains the brand’s same appearance and dignity while providing a blistering racecar experience. So, if you’re looking for an on-the-edge driving experience that can also go out for the fanciest of Sunday drives, this may be the right choice for you.
Cadillac achieves this track-ready status with the help of a standard 3.6L twin turbo V6 engine, capable of outputting 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Its titanium connecting roads, titanium-aluminide turbine wheels, and low-volume charge-air cooler give this little wonder a 0-60 time of about 3.8 seconds. Once you get this thing moving, its top track speed clocks out at 189 mph. And if you’re a purist looking to get the absolute most out of this power, the ATS-V comes with a manual transmission option. The TREMEC manual transmission brings this aging technology into the 21st-century with a dual-plate clutch, active rev matching, and a no-lift shift, which allows gear changes without ever lifting your foot off the gas.
Cadillac uses a range of bleeding-edge technologies to help give you maximum control over this huge amount of power. The unique magnetic ride control system is specially tuned for the ATS-V and reads the road up to 1,000 times to second to make the necessary adjustments to keep you safe and comfortable. The ATS-V also features class-exclusive stability controls. Once you enter track mode, you can choose from wet, dry, sport 1, sport 2 or race in order to provide an unparalleled level of control.
XT4
Moving on from the sedans and sporty coupes, we find Cadillac’s relatively recent foray into the popular crossover genre. It should come as no surprise that the XT4 injects Cadillac’s trademark level of power, elegance, and comfort into this tried-and-true vehicle format.
Starting at the reasonable entry price of $34,795, the interior of the XT4 is designed with the highest level of comfort in mind. The entire interior cabin was made to provide ample leg room and knee clearance for your backseat passengers. In addition to this, each seat comes with unique crafted stitching patterns that provide both comfort and a classy overall appearance. And if these perks still weren’t enough, the XT4 offers available heated massage for the driver and passenger up front. Now if this doesn’t create a relaxing drive, we’re not sure what will.
Working in tandem with the interior layout is the XT4’s impressive cargo space. While this vehicle is sleek and sporty, Cadillac takes lengthy measures to ensure that this crossover doesn’t feel as compact as it looks. The 60/40 folding seats providing ample room in the back, while the six storage areas in the front-floor console alone provide unique spaces for you to store, cups umbrellas or just about anything else you can think of.
Escalade
To finish off our brief overview of the 2019 Cadillac lineup, we’ll talk about the car that everyone has surely heard of: The Escalade. This oversized luxury vehicle played a huge role in Cadillac’s resurgence in the 2000s. From rap music videos to episodes of MTV’s Cribs, the Cadillac quickly came to embody the picture of wealth, luxury and indulgence. Now that some time has passed since many of us have checked in, let’s see what the latest model has in store.
Starting at $75,195, Cadillac refers to their flagship SUV as the “original icon of arrival.” When people see you arrive in this thing, it’s not just a car, it’s a statement. This car has more or less maintained its appearance since debuting in 1999 and still looks every bit as imposing. The 2019 model offers full LED “blade” taillamps to make your ride shine and provide a look unlike anything else. It also offers available 22-inch polished alloy wheels, power-assist steps, an invisible rear wiper, and concierge bottom lighting to put the cherry on top of this luxury-laden package.
The interior of the Escalade puts a priority on comfort, not only for the driver but for the eight potential passengers this SUV is capable of accommodating. The handcrafted materials, including authentic wood trims and leather appointments, work hand-in-hand with features like the 16-speaker Bose Centerpoint System to create an unparalleled experience in automotive comfort.
Find Out What Cadillac Has for You
Now that we’ve given you a brief overview of the current 2019 Cadillac lineup, the next step is to get out there, take a few test drives and see which one feels best. The wide range of the current Cadillacs means that regardless of what you’re looking for in a car or SUV, there is sure to be something that satisfies.
And if for some reason none of the 2019 Cadillacs are doing it for you, hopefully, this article was a good reminder that there is a whole legacy of outstanding Cadillacs out there in the world just waiting to be found. So, new or used, sporty or bulky, whatever your preference, check out some Cadillacs today to make yourself part of an American legacy.
