2011 Cadillac STS Review by automobile.com

31/12/2010

Review

With the recent changes to the structure of General Motors, entire car lineups are changing. The Cadillac DTS has been merged with the STS, and there has even been rumors that the 2011 Cadillac STS will not make it to market. While it is currently expected to be released in late 2010 as a redesign, those plans could change, and a 2012 Cadillac XTS could come in its place instead. This vehicle is expected to come to market without the V8 engine that many people have come to expect from this brand.

Specifications

This is what we know at this point about the 2011 Cadillac STS’s specs:

  • Pricing: car pricing will probably rise some; the vehicle should end up with a price around $48,000 MSRP
  • Fuel economy: fuel economy will probably improve from the current mileage of 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway
  • Engine: 3.6-liter V6 engine; 3.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected V6 (could get about 350 horsepower)
  • Acceleration: the current V6 has strong acceleration and a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. That should continue or improve with the new model.
  • Car safety features: antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and antiskid control. Options should include lane departure and blind spot warnings, and obstacle detection.
  • Suspension: strut suspension in front, multilink suspension in back
  • Warranty: four-year/50,000 mile basic warranty; five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and roadside assistance; six-year/100,000 mile corrosion coverage

Exterior Features

The exterior of the 2011 Cadillac STS is likely to see changes. Basic features that should continue into the new model year include 17-inch wheels, automatic halogen headlights, and heated door mirrors. Higher level trims and options could include wooden trim, upgraded brakes, a rear spoiler, auto-high beam xenon headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, headlight washers, adaptive suspension, a sunroof, and a different grille. This vehicle is the merging of the DTS and last year’s STS, so trim levels and options could change significantly.

Interior Features

Interior features on the 2011 Cadillac STS are likely to be impressive. Heated and cooled cupholders may be introduced for the new model year. LED lights will also probably be added. The base model should have two zones of automatic temperature control, powered leather front seats, keyless entry, OnStar, and a sound system with satellite radio. Upgraded models and options are likely to include a CD changer, Bluetooth, heated seats throughout, ventilated seats in the front, driver seat memory, blind spot and lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control.

Performance

The 2011 Cadillac STS is expected to be available with a six-speed automatic transmission. Because there will be changes to both the body (and perhaps weight) and engine of the new STS, it is too early to tell how well this new vehicle will perform.

How the 2011 Cadillac STS Compares to Other Luxury Cars

The 2011 Cadillac STS will not be the first luxury vehicle to produce an all V-6 lineup. Lincoln’s MKS already is offered as a V6-only vehicle. As energy becomes more costly and government mandates for fuel efficiency come into place, Cadillac may be joined with other manufacturers. The new STS is not available for road tests, but some of the STS’s competitors are likely to be:

At this point, it is difficult to tell how the STS will perform compared to these other vehicles. This vehicle is expected to be released in late 2010, if it is not scrapped in favor of the XTS only.

Filed under STS Tagged with , , , , , , , ,