2014 Cadillac XTS VSport Platinum Day 2

Saturday with the XTS was a breeze of course — the Cadillac is perfectly competent with plentiful, smooth power delivery and grace.  Crest Cadillac is my host for the weekend test drive; read about the pickup here.

Click on any of the photos in the gallery to zoom in, and to flip through the gallery.

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It is hard to photo well, but the tail light actually extends enough behind the rear to clearly form a tail fin reminiscent of the iconic 60s Cadillacs.

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This photo captures the entry to the driver’s seat illumination at night in the Platinum version, which is Cadillac terminology for over-the-top luxury models.

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I think these are the best rear-view mirrors I have seen on recent cars — they are perfectly shaped and sized and provide a huge view ports.  This has been a pet peeve of mine on some recent models who favor small horizontal rectangles for mirrors at the cost of being able to see clearly.   These work very well.

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The Platinum has the full driver assist options, including augmented reality backup camera, front and rear proximity warning systems, automatic headlight dim control, lane change warning, and multiple-color, adjustable, customizable heads-up display.

What would I change about the XTS?

  • More advertising — Cadillac is doing a poor job of getting more info out about the XTS, and especially the new AWD XTS VSport and Platinum VSport Models.
  • The rear windows have roll-up shades, which makes the car cooler inside.  It also makes the windows a bit difficult to see through at night or in the evening.

What is my favorite feature?

  • The power plant: Twin-Turbo 3.6L DOHC VVT DI V6 with 410 hp with AWD

Tomorrow will start with an early breakfast run, then Church.  Stay Tuned for more real world impressions.

 

 

Test Drive Review: 2014 Cadillac XTS-4 VSport Platinum

Today I picked up a new 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport from one of our Sponsors, Crest Cadillac of Plano, for the weekend to test.  This model has the new twin-turbo 3.6L V6 with 410 hp, and all wheel drive, so it delivers on the Sport promise.

Click on any of the Gallery Images to zoom in:

Darin Partin setup the test drive for me, and Alex Beydoun of Crest Cadillac met me at Reception with the details and keys.  We looked at a custom ATS in the showroom (more on that in a future post) and then I headed out with the XTS.

My initial impression of the new power plant pulling out of Crest Cadillac was terrific — the XTS literally surged forward to merge smoothly into traffic and away.

The test XTS is a great selection — XTS Vsport Platinum, Crystal Red Tintcoat, and a compact spare with trunk mat are the only options needed or included.  It rings the till at $71K, but is the real deal — full luxury, all wheel drive, full power, fully customizable Cadillac. Those looking for a bit of economy with their XTS VSport could select the non-Platinum variant, which loses the ultraview sunroof, rear shades, chrome wheels, and driver assist package, but comes in $10K less.

I am looking forward to getting to know this model further this weekend.

 

Go Buy a Cadillac ATS and have FUN!

The new Cadillac ATS is not winning comparison tests for acceleration.  The 3.6L V6 with 321 hp will get the ATS from 0-60 in around 5.4 seconds, which is pretty quick.  But some competitors can do better.  The 2L Turbo, 272 hp  ATS does 0-60 in under 6 seconds — Cadillac says 5.7 seconds.  Again, competitors for the 2L are quicker.

Cadillac ATS interior

Cadillac ATS interior

No one who writes for a magazine, newspaper, or website seems to like CUE (Cadillac User Experience), except perhaps me.  Cadillac designed the interface to be just like your tablet or phone, so you can squeeze this and swipe that.  CUE is not instantly responsive in all cases though, so that makes it something to criticize.  Okay.

Yet the magazine writers keep concluding that the Cadillac ATS is more fun to drive than competitors.  Let’s think about that for a minute.

The Cadillac ATS is MORE FUN than a BMW, or a Lexus, or a Mercedes, or an Audi.  You know an even more interesting thing?  I have read more than one V-Series owner suggest an ATS with a manual transmission was as MUCH fun if not more fun than their CTS-V!

Cadillac ATS roadtrip test -- ready for anything

Cadillac ATS roadtrip test — ready for anything

Isn’t MORE FUN the most important thing you want in a luxury sports sedan?

Here’s my suggestion for Cadillac’s new Ad campaign:

Cadillac ATS — It’s Fun to Drive.  It’s Fun to Own.
Go Buy a Cadillac ATS and have FUN!