Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Cadillac CTS 3.6 AWD

[Autos_Editor]

Despite being around for a few years, Cadillac's CTS is even more endearing now thanks to a few subtle, but positive updates.
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[Danno001]

The lack of comments is telling.

Looks to be a capable car but at $75k large, it had better be. I would just rather spend the cash elsewhere.

[evil_twin]

The lack of comments is telling.

Looks to be a capable car but at $75k large, it had better be. I would just rather spend the cash elsewhere.

Well it's the ongoing brand reputation battle Cadillac is fighting.  Takes a looooong time to win that war.   Releasing good products and positioning them properly is the only way.

As Jeff mentions in the article, Cadillac has gone from being the floaty option to, arguably, the leader in chassis, handing, etc.   That's a good place to be to differentiate yourself beyond being just "the domestic alternative".

Still - I agree with you.   The CTS is very appealing to me but only as a value-priced used option.    Then again, I also don't have an $80k car budget.   

EDIT:  For example, somebody shopping with a $60k budget could do a lot worse than this V-sport model: http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Cadillac/CTS/Orangeville/Ontario/5_26862103_ON20070704162515682/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=3_15_22

Apples to oranges to grapefruits notwithstanding, I'd probably take that over anything new at $60k.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Not my end of the market. I've got no issues with the CTS, and would look at one closely, if I was shopping in this class though.

[Jaeger]

Looks to be a capable car but at $75k large, it had better be. I would just rather spend the cash elsewhere.

This.  I'm having a hard time seeing the value at this price point.  And I wish manufacturers of all stripes  would stop releasing not-quite-ready-from-prime-time transmissions.  Seriously.  The higher the price point, the harder that S#!t is to take. 

[Noto]

and with polarized sunglasses on, both the CUE screen and HUD disappear or distort

Thank you, J-Wow, for noting this.  It's often a sore spot with me (I always wear polarized lenses while driving in daylight) and the number of manufacturers that ignore this concern is astonishing.

Regarding On-Star listening to your amazing vocals, it remains a Big Brother-esque issue that I cannot shake.  I don't like having a "connected car" quite like that.

[SaskSpecV]

Releasing good products and positioning them properly is the only way.

The CTS is very appealing to me but only as a value-priced used option.   

Someone needs to get that message to JdeN and his marketing minions in their new NY HQ...

Such a shame, because Caddy is making arguably the best driver's cars in their respective classes (ATS, CTS, CT6) - but how long will GM keep the faith if (car) sales continue to flounder?

[Danno001]

Looks to be a capable car but at $75k large, it had better be. I would just rather spend the cash elsewhere.

This.  I'm having a hard time seeing the value at this price point.  And I wish manufacturers of all stripes  would stop releasing not-quite-ready-from-prime-time transmissions.  Seriously.  The higher the price point, the harder that S#!t is to take.

The 5.0L Genesis Ultimate would definitely get my attention.

With the $5,000 on the hood, it is showing $59,000 price tag (+tax)

https://www.hyundaicanada.com/Pages/showroom/showroom.aspx?model=genesis

[Minou]

Looks to be a capable car but at $75k large, it had better be. I would just rather spend the cash elsewhere.

This.  I'm having a hard time seeing the value at this price point.  And I wish manufacturers of all stripes  would stop releasing not-quite-ready-from-prime-time transmissions.  Seriously.  The higher the price point, the harder that S#!t is to take.

The 5.0L Genesis Ultimate would definitely get my attention.

With the $5,000 on the hood, it is showing $59,000 price tag (+tax)

https://www.hyundaicanada.com/Pages/showroom/showroom.aspx?model=genesis

Expected for a 2015.

[lebowski]

Cue issues aside, sounds like Cadillac is finally building some the best cars in the segment, which is awesome, but their brand cachet is of course still playing catch-up. So it sounds like they are exactly where Lexus was in 1989. Lexus sold that first LS400 - as amazing as it was - for, what, 30% less than its competitors?

I’m not saying Cadillac needs to be that extreme in their undercutting, but they need to be realistic about what their brand perception is. Maybe they need to wait another decade, as Lexus did, before they start charging market-equivalent prices for their products, no matter how good they are.

[EV-Light]

I will pass...

[HeliDriver]

Cue issues aside, sounds like Cadillac is finally building some the best cars in the segment, which is awesome, but their brand cachet is of course still playing catch-up. So it sounds like they are exactly where Lexus was in 1989. Lexus sold that first LS400 - as amazing as it was - for, what, 30% less than its competitors?

I’m not saying Cadillac needs to be that extreme in their undercutting, but they need to be realistic about what their brand perception is. Maybe they need to wait another decade, as Lexus did, before they start charging market-equivalent prices for their products, no matter how good they are.

What did an S-Class or 7-Series sell for back in 1989? As I recall, prices for those were stratospheric - even more than today's prices (adjusted for inflation.)

So, yes, Lexus was able to undercut the Germans by a significant amount, but Lexus had lots of room to work with. I'm not sure today's situation with Cadillac is quite the same.

[revalations]

Talking about nice interior exterior color combos....here it is, that blue looks great on this car.

I'd take a CTS in a heartbeat. I think Caddys high prices are optimistic, but this car really gives nothing up to the competition. If it were ~10-15k less I still doubt it would set sale charts on fire, it would sure help though. They're on the right track, the products Caddy's coming out with continually get better and better.

Lots of hope for the future at Cadillac.

[Jaws]

My A6 was $65k and I fail to see why this CTS is worth $75k.  GM needs to be a value leader if it hopes to compete against the Germans.

[tortoise]

That pricing structure seems intentionally destined for a bunch of money off of the hood.

[EV-Light]

My A6 was $65k and I fail to see why this CTS is worth $75k.  GM needs to be a value leader if it hopes to compete against the Germans.

That's not happening, the new strategy is to not sell instead of selling for a discount.


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[rrocket]

My A6 was $65k and I fail to see why this CTS is worth $75k.  GM needs to be a value leader if it hopes to compete against the Germans.

That's not happening, the new strategy is to not sell instead of selling for a discount.


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But...but...but....they moved to New York!!   

[CARiD]

A little bit pricey for the 3.6L engine, Euro competitors may attract more attention for the cost

[lebowski]

What did an S-Class or 7-Series sell for back in 1989? As I recall, prices for those were stratospheric - even more than today's prices (adjusted for inflation.)

So, yes, Lexus was able to undercut the Germans by a significant amount, but Lexus had lots of room to work with. I'm not sure today's situation with Cadillac is quite the same.

I just tried looking up 1989 car prices and had trouble finding much of anything, surprisingly. Regardless, i'm sure your'e right, the Germans were probably over-charging until Lexus + Infiniti came along. But even if they hadn't been overcharging, I'd argue Lexus still probably would've pursued a loss-leader strategy with that early LS400, just to get their foot in the market.

Now, I'm not saying Cadillac needs a loss-leader strategy with their new cars - they aren't a complete unknown like Lexus was in 1989, but there still seems to be a disconnect between what they perceive their brand is worth, and what their target customer perceives.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

MSRPs from the NADA guide, adjusted for inflation in brackets.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/Manufacturers

1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL was $73,800 ($133,885)
1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E was $39,950 ($72,475)
1990 Lexus LS400 was $35,000 ($63,495)