This sedan, which is based on same platform as the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impala, is luxurious, with a very spacious and well-appointed cabin and a roomy trunk. But the car lacks the silky ride you'd expect from a big Caddy, and although it handles well for its size, it doesn't have the finesse or brawn of the better German and Asian competitors.
The XTS is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. And while this combination isn't the most refined or advanced you'd find, it ultimately performs well and achieves a respectable 22 mpg overall on premium fuel. All-wheel drive is optional on all but the base trim level. A potent and super-responsive 410-hp, twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 is also available but only with all-wheel-drive.
The XTS is also hampered by a high-tech infotainment system called CUE (for Cadillac User Experience). The system is so convoluted and frustrating that it detracts from the XTS's pampering environment. Overall, the XTS's road-test score places it well below this competitive class and quite short of the top-rated Audi A6 and Infiniti Q70.