Verdict
B
Sedan · USA · 2003-2019
Cadillac CTS
Cadillac's BMW-fighter. Three generations of trying.
Years
2003-2019
Generations
1
Segment
Sedan
The CTS launched in 2003 as Cadillac's BMW 3-Series fighter — angular Art-and-Science styling, rear-wheel drive, available with a 5-speed manual on the V6. The 2nd gen (2008-2014) on the Sigma II platform was the first genuinely class-competitive CTS. The 3rd gen (2014-2019) on the Alpha platform shared with the ATS was the most refined but arrived as the segment was collapsing. The CTS-V variants (covered separately) are the cars worth seeking. Standard CTS depreciation has been steep — used examples are bargains.
Generations
Click any generation for the deep dive
2014-2019
3rd Gen · Alpha
The CTS-V is the bargain super-sedan America still doesn't talk about enough.
→
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2014-2019 · 3rd Gen · Alpha
- CUE touchscreen delamination
- LT4 supercharger snout bearings (V)
- 8L90 transmission shift quality early production