Topic: First Drive: 2013 Cadillac XTS

[Autos_Editor]

Cadillac's new XTS scores on many counts. But will the brand's older buyers warm to its high-tech interior?

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[dragonfly]

 Thanks for a nice review...Mannn , that front-end is, if nothing else, in your face...Shouting...with big, bared grill teeth.."I'm a freakin' Caddy!!!" Love the car...Jack

[CanuckS2K]

Looks like a really solid effort by Cadillac and I really like it inside and out.  Very good point about whether it might be a little too techie for it's target audience. 

[Fobroader]

So what the hell is the difference between this and the DTS??

[Mike]

I agree, but even if they can't figure it out, they can still boast to their friends and acquaintances that the car has all that tech.

Owner "My car can nearly drive itself!"
Friend "Cool! Show me how"
Owner "I don't know how to"

[lebowski]

Good point raised about the XTS' target demographic and the potential limits of their tech literacy, but I would argue that today's ~65 y.o. is a lot more tech-savvy than even half a generation ago. I don't know about you guys but my DTS-driving dad, who turns 67 next month, is an iPad addict, as are many of his buddies. I'd count on Cadillac and GM having done the market research and come to a similar conclusion.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Why do all Cadillac cars look exactly the same and just differ is size? Tells me the designers are terrified to try something different between models...as though straying from the CTS will mean certain death. How long do you think the XTS will be around? One generation? Two?

How is this any different from BMW, Audi and maybe to a lesser extent Mercedes? They all have a common familial look.

The XTS is a stop-gap until the new full size Omega platform, RWD model is launched in 2015. I doubt it will be around longer than that.

[lebowski]

Seems like a decent enough car...perfect for Grandpa but he'll never figure out the tech. Good looking for a Cadillac but not for the segment. Why do all Cadillac cars look exactly the same and just differ is size? Tells me the designers are terrified to try something different between models...as though straying from the CTS will mean certain death. How long do you think the XTS will be around? One generation? Two?

I'm an E-Class guy and would never, ever consider a Cadillac...ever.

You drive a modern Mercedes and you're accusing Cadillac of relying on derivative styling through their model range? Ever see an S-class and a C-class side by side?

[Fobroader]

Good point raised about the XTS' target demographic and the potential limits of their tech literacy, but I would argue that today's ~65 y.o. is a lot more tech-savvy than even half a generation ago. I don't know about you guys but my DTS-driving dad, who turns 67 next month, is an iPad addict, as are many of his buddies. I'd count on Cadillac and GM having done the market research and come to a similar conclusion.

Your dad is a minority. My dads in his mid 50's and him and his buddies have no clue to even what 5% of the potential of the phones in their pockets is. I think Cadillac is taking a huge gamble hoping that these "tech savvy" senior citizens will crawl out of the woodwork. If they want to play to their proper demographics all Caddys should come with a start crank handle in the front bumper, a rumble seat and wooden spoke wheels, than they would be familiar to their owners.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Good point raised about the XTS' target demographic and the potential limits of their tech literacy, but I would argue that today's ~65 y.o. is a lot more tech-savvy than even half a generation ago. I don't know about you guys but my DTS-driving dad, who turns 67 next month, is an iPad addict, as are many of his buddies. I'd count on Cadillac and GM having done the market research and come to a similar conclusion.

Your dad is a minority. My dads in his mid 50's and him and his buddies have no clue to even what 5% of the potential of the phones in their pockets is. I think Cadillac is taking a huge gamble hoping that these "tech savvy" senior citizens will crawl out of the woodwork. If they want to play to their proper demographics all Caddys should come with a start crank handle in the front bumper, a rumble seat and wooden spoke wheels, than they would be familiar to their owners.

The average age of a new car buyer in the US is right around 56 years old. The average age of a Cadillac buyer is 58 IIRC.

[Fobroader]

That includes the CTS and that Equinox knock off CUV thing. Im thinking for the DTS, it would be a lot higher.....especially at the number that are hearses and funeral home limos.

[lebowski]

If they want to play to their proper demographics all Caddys should come with a start crank handle in the front bumper, a rumble seat and wooden spoke wheels, than they would be familiar to their owners.

LOL ouch! Fair enough. But have you sat in a current DTS? Even that model is already chock-full of gizmos, digital displays, and buttons. My guess is if the old-timers were able to figure those out, they'll be fine with the new controls, even if they have to take a little more time to learn how it all works the first few times. IMHO these big Caddy's, though decidedly old-school, are not cheap. WIth a few exceptions to the chronically tech-un-savvy, if XTS buyers, regardless of age, have been smart and competent enough to prosper in this modern, increasingly computerized world, to the point of affording a $60k luxury car, they're probably smart enough to figure out the new interior. Just my $0.02.

[Fobroader]

If they want to play to their proper demographics all Caddys should come with a start crank handle in the front bumper, a rumble seat and wooden spoke wheels, than they would be familiar to their owners.

LOL ouch! Fair enough. But have you sat in a current DTS? Even that model is already chock-full of gizmos, digital displays, and buttons. My guess is if the old-timers were able to figure those out, they'll be fine with the new controls, even if they have to take a little more time to learn how it all works the first few times. IMHO these big Caddy's, though decidedly old-school, are not cheap. WIth a few exceptions to the chronically tech-un-savvy, if XTS buyers, regardless of age, have been smart and competent enough to prosper in this modern, increasingly computerized world, to the point of affording a $60k luxury car, they're probably smart enough to figure out the new interior. Just my $0.02.

I was exagerating of course  Im just saying, that if they get too complicated, see the BMW I-Drive for proper misaplication of technology, then they might scare away a lot of their buyers. Cadillac used to be the nearly dead age brackets preffered mode of transport, but even I cant deny that they have dropped their age group significantly in the last few years. Thank to the Avalon and Buick....someone took over that demographic.

[lebowski]

I was exagerating of course  Im just saying, that if they get too complicated, see the BMW I-Drive for proper misaplication of technology, then they might scare away a lot of their buyers. Cadillac used to be the nearly dead age brackets preffered mode of transport, but even I cant deny that they have dropped their age group significantly in the last few years. Thank to the Avalon and Buick....someone took over that demographic.

It's true the first iDrive was too complicated and cumbersome, and many people complained about it. Very interestingly, however, that model 7-series was still a huge success for BMW. Obviously the car had a lot of other strengths to attract reticent buyers, and I'd concede Cadillac wouldn't be able to rely on the same strategy, e.g. the XTS will not drive like a 7-series. Still, it goes to show customers can look past the control layout if the rest of the car is compelling enough.

Re: Cadillac slowly phasing out their old-school cars - doesn't seem like they have a choice there and they need to change with the times. Demographics are changing - 40 and 50 year olds today, who are driving 5-series and A6's will not, barring dementia, suddenly want to drive an old-school land barge in 10 years' time.

[nsmyhte]

So what the hell is the difference between this and the DTS??

Pretty much every single thing.  Engine, transmission, suspension, chassis, interior, exterior (its about 5-6" shorter), CUE, features.  The only thing in common is that they are fwd.

[CanuckS2K]

Good point raised about the XTS' target demographic and the potential limits of their tech literacy, but I would argue that today's ~65 y.o. is a lot more tech-savvy than even half a generation ago. I don't know about you guys but my DTS-driving dad, who turns 67 next month, is an iPad addict, as are many of his buddies. I'd count on Cadillac and GM having done the market research and come to a similar conclusion.

Could be true.  I know that my 67year old Father would hate living without a computer and internet now and is on Facebook every day!  LOL       He's probably not the norm though. 

Like I mentioned before, I think the XTS is a real solid offering by Caddilac.  It really looks very nice inside and out from the pics I've seen. 

[Oldsguy]

Your dad is a minority. My dads in his mid 50's and him and his buddies have no clue to even what 5% of the potential of the phones in their pockets is.

In other words, he and his friends are like most people when it comes to their mobile phone.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Your dad is a minority. My dads in his mid 50's and him and his buddies have no clue to even what 5% of the potential of the phones in their pockets is.

In other words, he and his friends are like most people when it comes to their mobile phone.

I would agree with that!

[Vanstar]

This car is intended as a livery model and will do particularly well in China, where the owner will never drive it anyway.

I am in the group of buyers at this price point and this car does nothing for me. I would not buy FWD at this price when RWD is available in several very competitive models. The Lexus GS350 comes to mind.