Cadillac’s philosophy has changed a bit over the years. They still make great cars. They are still state-of-the-art. And they still set the high water mark for styling. But if you drive a new CTS or ATS, it becomes obvious that they were going for sportiness and technology over luxury and comfort. No one would have accepted these cars as the Standard of the World 40 years ago. So where are people supposed to turn for an old-school, uncompromised big Cadillac sedan?
Enter the 2014 Cadillac XTS VSport. Now this more like what traditional Cadillac buyers are used to. This car is big—202-inches bumper-to-bumper. It has presence. It has a proper back seat. It is loaded with modern technology. And you won’t confuse it as something from any other automaker. This is not an old car by any means, but it follows the tenets of what a Cadillac used to be. They don’t make ‘em like they used to, but this one follows the same recipe.
Best of all, it’s powerful. No, it doesn’t have a high-strung V8 like last year’s CTS-V, but with 410-hp and 396 pound-feet of torque, the XTS VSport ain’t no slouch. These muscle car-worthy stats are achieved with a 3.6-liter, direct-injected V6 that is fitted with two small turbochargers. Now, that 3.6 is available in everything from Camaros to Enclaves, and it’s a pretty strong plant. But never has it been more satisfying than it is in this setup. This car will pin you back in the seat, and its ability to exceed the posted speed limit on the highway will sneak up on you.
In its base configuration, the XTS is a front-wheel-drive car. But the VSport is equipped with a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. You definitely want that. 410 is a lot of horsepower, and 396 pound-feet is a lot of torque. You don’t want to be fighting all that craziness exclusively through the front wheels. The torque-steer would rip your freakin’ arms off. With this setup, everything seems very balanced. Flogging this car is actually pleasurable.
The interior has sort of a dual personality. On one hand, it is a classy, warm, and inviting place in which to spend time. The “Shale” leather and “Cocoa” accents are beautifully coordinated. Everything is soft, luxurious, and features impeccable French stitching. There are subtle accent lights that span from the dashboard all the way back through all four doors. This is the personality of the interior that recalls a warm den with a mahogany desk and a fire crackling in the marble fireplace. Settle in with a smoking jacket, it’s gonna’ be an indulgent ride.
On the other hand, the instrument panel is almost sensory overload. Here, you’ll find a dizzying array of LED displays, screens, lights, chimes, and vibrations. Whether you’re looking at the instrument cluster, the center stack, or even the windshield, there is some bright, happy display trying to give you another bit of information. Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system gives you everything from navigation to back-up camera to radio options. There is a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system. You will never get bored in this car.
Check out the photo gallery in the slideshow below, or click this link for a nicer version.
I love the look of the XTS. I think it's the best looking Cadillac in years.
ReplyDeleteWow, i just saw 410 HP.
ReplyDeleteBest interior for the price and 32.2 mpg on multiple hour drives with Adaptive Cruise Control set at 65 mph....with AWD! I can't say enough how nice it is to drive this can I bought used used XTS Vsport Platinum with 40,000+ miles on it. Not only does it drive nice but it turns heads at every corner.
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