2013 Cadillac XTS: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

2013 Cadillac XTS: What Is It?

With General Motors having decommissioned the DTS, a new flagship is sailing into Port Cadillac. The 2013 XTS promises more luxury and technology than in any Cadillac to date.

While we classify XTS as a premium-large car, it doesn't necessarily target the likes of the far more expensive Audi A8 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Lincoln MKS and Hyundai Equus are more like it, and we'll throw the Chrysler 300 in here as well even though it's a "regular" large car by Consumer Guide standards.

2013 Cadillac XTS: What's New

New name, new car. About the only thing the XTS has in common with its DTS predecessor is standard front-wheel drive.

2013 Cadillac XTS: Model Lineup, Features, and Options

A final list of standard and optional equipment was not available at time of writing. We do know a few things, though. XTS will come as the Base, Luxury, Premium, and Platinum.

All versions come standard with GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension, which uses sensors and special fluid to adjust suspension damping in real time. Also standard is CUE (Cadillac User Experience), which is the brand's infotainment system. It includes an 8-inch touchscreen with capacitive controls, haptic feedback, gestures, and voice recognition. All these features are designed to emulate a modern smartphone or tablet. Speaking of, all XTS buyers will receive an Apple iPad. It includes a CUE app, which replicates the car's dashboard screen.

Also standard across the board are leather upholstery, a Bose-brand audio system, and GM's OnStar assistance.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on the Base and Luxury while the Premium and Platinum have a tri-zone setup. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering are standard on all but the Base. A power rear sunshade and manual rear side-window shades are standard on the Platinum and optional on the Premium. The Platinum has additional unique exterior and interior trim as well as 20-inch wheels (up from standard 19s).

The Driver Awareness Package is standard on the Premium and Platinum and optional on the Luxury. It includes lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and Cadillac's "Safety Alert Seat." The seat vibrates in certain spots to warn the driver of potential dangers.

Due later in calendar 2012 is the Driver Assist Package, which will be standard on the Platinum and optional on the Premium. It includes everything in the Driver Awareness Package plus adaptive cruise control and collision preparation that readies the seatbelts and maximum braking force if sensors detect an unavoidable crash.

2013 Cadillac XTS: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

All XTS versions have front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on the Luxury, Premium, and Platinum. The sole engine/transmission combination is a 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission.

2013 Cadillac XTS: Fuel Economy

EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2013 Cadillac XTS was not available at time of writing. GM's projection is 17 mpg city/28 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 17/27 with AWD. XTS will use regular-grade gasoline and is also capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel.

2013 Cadillac XTS: Safety Features

The 2013 Cadillac XTS includes a standard complement of expected and federally mandated safety features. Front- and rear-side airbags are standard. Depending on model selection, the car can be equipped with lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, forward-collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

We have not yet tested the 2013 Cadillac XTS.