2011 cadillac sts
The 2011 Cadillac STS will replace both the current car (shown here) and the DTS. See pictures of the 2010 Cadillac DTS.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2011 Cadillac STS

Update 07.07.2009

GM's future product news has been changing quickly as the company deals with its financial crisis. Recent reports indicate that this planned 2011 STS may have been shelved, and a front-drive 2012 XTS model will replace today's STS and DTS. We'll post more updates as they become available.

A redesigned STS is set to replace today's model and the slow-selling DTS. With V6 power and a modern platform, it could be the thriftiest, most agile big Caddy ever.

What We Know About the 2011 Cadillac STS

Automakers are struggling to cut their losses in today's "challenging" economy, and Cadillac is no exception. With thirsty cars now a tough sell even in the premium class, General Motors' luxury brand plans to drop its slow-selling DTS large sedan in favor of a redesigned STS, thus trimming its model count by one. Not only that, the 2011 Cadillac STS will likely be the first big Caddy in decades without a V8, at least for the mainstream market. That could make it the most fuel-efficient big Caddy in decades, yet available intelligence suggests performance will be the same or even better.

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The 2011 Cadillac STS will share GM's rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform with the Pontiac G8 large sedan and the new 2010-2011 Chevrolet Camaro ponycar. Zeta is a scalable architecture designed for vehicles of widely varying types and sizes, so sources expect the XXL version to host the new STS. The result should be not only larger than the G8 but somewhat longer, taller, and wider than the cars it replaces. Interestingly, the front-wheel-drive DTS is some 11-inches longer than today's midsize STS, yet the two are surprisingly close in other dimensions. The redesign eliminates this costly overlap, a sensible step given GM's continuing cash crunch. Replacing two weak-selling models with one presumably stronger entry might boost Cadillac's slice of the premium large-sedan pie.

Toward that end, we think the 2011 Cadillac STS will reprise today's base 3.6-liter V6 and add a new turbocharged version with direct fuel injection to replace the usual V8. The V6 already makes some 300 horsepower without a "blower," so adding a turbo--maybe two--could easily net the 360 horses and 350 lb-ft of torque we estimate. If those numbers are close to reality, the turbo V6 will handily out-muscle the Northstar V8s of the DTS and current STS. While Cadillac risks alienating V8 fans, the new STS wouldn't be the only large premium sedan to go all-V6. Rival Lincoln's new 2009 MKS takes that approach and gets a turbo-V6 option for 2010--a very smart move with gas heading toward $5 a gallon.

Updated by Don Sikora II 07.07.2009

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

  • C­onsumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
  • Cadillac: Read Consumer Guide's full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
  • Premium Large Cars: The 2011 Cadillac STS will compete in the premium large car class. Here's Consumer Guide's roundup of all the premium large cars on sale today.
  • 2009 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners:
    Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2009.
  • Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.