Cadillac STS Review

Though it has evolved into an entirely different species, the luxury performance DNA of the Cadillac STS can be traced all the way back to the special range-topping Seville hardtop coupe of the 1950s. At that time one of the fastest, flashiest and most luxurious cars on the road, it evolved into various different forms over the course of several decades until emerging today as the buttoned-down STS luxury sedan. Based on GM's global Sigma rear- and all-wheel-drive platform and utilizing powerful V6 and V8 engines, the Cadillac STS is once again capable of sharing company with Europe's finest.

If you're in the market for a luxury sedan with competitive amounts of power, roominess, comfort and value, a used STS could be a good idea. However, the STS has been eclipsed in more recent years, with even its smaller CTS sibling offering better performance and handling, a much nicer interior and class-competitive interior space.

Current Cadillac STS
A full-size luxury sedan in its physical dimensions, the Cadillac STS is priced in line with premium-badged midsize sedans. The STS features a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 302 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available.

There are three trim levels -- V6 Luxury Sport, V6 Luxury and V6 Premium. Common features on all models include leather seating, dual-zone climate control, a Bose sound system and OnStar. The V6 Luxury adds perks such as Bluetooth, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and rain-sensing wipers. The V6 Premium highlights include 18-inch (versus 17-inch) wheels, upgraded braking/steering/cooling systems, auto-dimming xenon headlights, upgraded audio and a navigation system.

In reviews and road tests, our editors have found the strengths of the Cadillac STS to include a level of agility that belies its size, respectable performance and a high-quality audio system. Downsides include an aging design, a small trunk and hit-or-miss interior quality. Overall, it's hard to fully endorse this full-size luxury sedan when Cadillac's own smaller CTS offers a more involving drive while only giving up a bit of interior space to its big brother.

Used Cadillac STS Models
The Cadillac STS rear-wheel-drive luxury sport sedan officially debuted for the 2005 model year and was offered in 255-hp V6 and 320-hp V8 versions. The latter could also be had with all-wheel drive (AWD). The following year, AWD became available on the V6 while for 2007 a six-speed automatic transmission was fitted to the V8 version. A midcycle refresh took place for '08, bringing revised styling (including ubiquitous chrome fender vents), a more luxuriously trimmed interior and the current more powerful V6 matched to the six-speed automatic. Those who fancy V8 power should know that 2010 was the last year it was available for the STS.

Those interested in a used model previous to the debut of the STS model will want to check out the front-wheel-drive, fifth-generation Seville produced from 1998-2003. The performance-oriented version of that car was known as the STS and featured a more powerful V8 engine and more luxury features. The 1992-'97 Seville also featured a similar STS edition.

For more on Past Cadillac STS models, view our Cadillac STS History page