After a busy couple of decades to conclude the 20th century, Cadillac kicked off the new millennium with cutting-edge technology and a return to racing.
Night Vision was offered as an option in the 2000 Cadillac DeVille. It was the first time the technology was offered in a production car. Cadillac also made a dramatic return to competitive road racing with the four-liter twin-turbo Cadillac Northstar LMP racer.
2001 was the final year of production for the Cadillac Catera. The Cadillac CTS was shown for the first time at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
Cadillac introduced the XLR convertible in 2002. It is built alongside the Chevy Corvette at the GM Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky. The Cadillac SRX SUV also debuted in 2002.
The mid-size Cadillac CTS rolled of the production line in 2002. The smallest Cadillac in the lineup was intended as a competitor for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A6. The first-generation CTS was offered only as a sedan.
In 2004, Cadillac added a solid performance focus to their luxury heritage with the introduction of the Cadillac CTS-V sedan. Propelled by the 400-horsepower 5.7-liter LS6 V8 backed by the Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission, the CTS-V could rocket from a dead stop to sixty miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds. The CTS-V and was aimed at the Mercedes E63 AMG, BMW M5, and Audi RS6. With this newfound performance, Cadillac went racing, winning the SCCS World Challenge Manufacturer and Driver Championships.
2006 was the final year for the Cadillac DeVille nameplate, as it was replaced by the DTS. The last DeVille rolled off the assembly line in late June, 2005.
The 2006 and 2007 CTS-Vs received the new 6.0-liter LS2 V8 from the Chevy Corvette. Though displacement increased compared to the outgoing LS6, power output remained the same, although with a broader power band.
In 2007, the Cadillac Escalade received a full redesign, along with its other GM full-size SUV brethren.
2008 brought the debut of the second-generation Cadillac CTS. It featured a wider track and longer wheelbase. The base CTS was powered by the 3.6-liter LY7 V6 that yielded 263 horsepower. The direct-injected 3.6-liter LLT V6 was available, rated at 304 horsepower. The CTS could be had with either a six-speed manual or the six-speed 6L50 Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. A CTS coupe concept was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. Positive response drove Cadillac to begin producing CTS coupes in 2010. The CTS wagon concept was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2008, and also went into production in 2010.
In 2009, Cadillac debuted the all-new second-generation CTS-V, powered by the supercharged, aluminum-block 6.2L LSA V8 from the Chevy Corvette ZR1 producing 556 horsepower. Transmission choices were either the Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual or the 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle shift. Performance was breathtaking, with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.9 seconds. A version of the CTS-V with the automatic lapped Germany’s Nurburgring in seven minutes, 59.32 seconds, setting a record for production sedans. The CTS-V coupe arrived in 2010, while the CTS-V wagon followed in 2011.
Cadillac built its final DTS on May 27th, 2011, replacing it with the all-new Cadillac XTS which bowed in 2012 as a 2013 model. The compact Cadillac ATS sedan also debuted in 2012 for the 2013 model year.
2014 marked the debut of the third-generation CTS and CTS-V. The CTS was equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter LTG inline four cylinder cylinder or the available 3.6-liter LFX V6. The 420-horsepower twin-turbo 3.6L LF3 V6 was available in the CTS Vsport. The CTS was named the Motor Trend magazine 2014 Car of the Year.
The 2014 CTS-V was powered by the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 from the C7 Corvette Z06 producing 640 horsepower. The transmission choice is limited to the eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Time from a dead stop to sixty miles per hour is an astounding 3.5 seconds. CTS and CTS-V production ended with the 2019 model year.
Replacing the SRX, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 was introduced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show and the Dubai Motor Show in November 2015. The 2016 Cadillac CT6 debuted at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, the brand’s first full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan since 1996.
In 2017, Cadillac introduced a vehicle subscription service called Book by Cadillac. Initially available only in New York City, the service was soon to expand to Los Angeles and Dallas. For 2017, Cadillac introduced the first hands-free driver called Super Cruise.
The Cadillac XT4 crossover debuted at the 2018 New York International Auto Show in March 2018, and went on sale as a 2019 model. In 2019, Cadillac unveiled the 2020 Cadillac XT6 mid-size, seven-seat crossover at the North American International Auto Show, further expanding the brand’s range of utility vehicles.
The Cadillac CT6-V, launched for the 2019 model year, introduced the Blackwing name, identifying the performance sedan’s twin-turbo, 4.2L LTA V8. The latter produced 500 horsepower in the CT6 Platinum, and 550 horsepower in the CT6-V.
In 2020, Cadillac introduced the CT5 compact sedan as the CTS’ replacement, and the subcompact CT4 sedan replacement for the ATS. “V” performance versions were announced for both cars, with the CT5-V powered by the twin turbo 3.0L LGY V6 producing 360 horsepower, and the CT4-V propelled by the turbo 2.7-liter L3B four cylinder making 325 horsepower.
The Cadillac Lyriq fully electric crossover debuted in August of 2020, with production beginning in mid-2022 for the 2023 model year.
Both the CT5 and CT4 would see a significant bump in power for their performance variants in the 2022 model year with the introduction of the CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing. The CT5-V Blackwing is powered by the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 developing 668 horsepower and 659 pound feet of torque, backed by a six-speed manual transmission or ten-speed automatic. The CT5-V Blackwing claims a 3.4-second 0-60 mph time and a top speed of more than 200 mph. The CT4-V Blackwing features the twin turbo 3.6-liter LF4 V6 rated at 472 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, with a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time on the way to a 189 mph top speed. The CT4-V Blackwing can be had with either a six-speed Tremec manual gearbox or an optional ten-speed automatic.
For the first time, Cadillac built a V-spec SUV in 2022 with the Escalade-V. Its supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 makes 682 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V moves power to all four wheels through a ten-speed automatic transmission, and is capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds. Suggested retail price started at $149,990.
Cadillac has repeatedly proven its mettle as a leader in the automotive luxury and performance world. As Cadillac prepares the bespoke, technologically advanced Celestiq for its debut in the 2024 model year, which will introduce the company’s Ultra Cruise driver assist system, in addition to a range of fully electric crossovers and SUVs, the Cadillac brand continues to define itself as the Standard of the World.
Also:
Cadillac 1902-1917: the Birth of the Brand
Cadillac 1920-1940: the Pre-War Years
Cadillac 1940-1960: WW II and Beyond
Cadillac 1960-1980: Innovation and Excess
Cadillac 1980-2000: Northstar and SUVs
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View Comments
... since 2010 was the final of Cadillac beautiful designs for me...
Elegance was then lost at that year, but with all car industries !
Point of order:
2005 was the last year for the DeVille nameplate NOT 2006.
No mention of the STS or ELR?
I think this one took on too long of a time frame. The other articles were 20 years of coverage. This one went an extra couple years with more to cover. Maybe that's why some were overlooked?
This article was of less interest for me personally compared to the last one (80/90's) and the others. For me, the last 22 years with Cadillac has been the least interesting, especially after they dropped the DeVille name and then the DTS after 2011. Although I like the CT4 and I love the CT6, I feel that Cadillac really left me after 2011. I could care less about any of the XT models and I wouldn't buy an Escalade. The CT6 was a fantastic sedan in need of an identity (name) and the CT4/5 are nice, but not very roomy and need a name.
I sure wish we could have the style and names of the 70-90's but with the efficiency and quality level of today's cars.
The title says it, brief art and science. Nothing in it about the styling or power train layout, not to mention CUE. Personally, the "bridge flagship" XTS is the reason I bought my first Cad. Huge trunk and rear seat, quality build and materials, esp. the Platinum, elegant Cadillac styling, hyper-strut, airbags, Cue, amenities. I could go on, but end up with responses that it's a gussied up Impala. Oh yeah, I have one of those, also.
Your history completely omitted the 2014-2016 Cadillac ELR! This was the first Cadillac plug-in electrics.
This period was/is a time when Cadillac product excellence rebounded without a corresponding rebound in market perception of the Cadillac brand itself.
Sure - the Escalade is hugely popular, but being a badge-engineered utility vehicle, its success does not automatically spread out over the entire brand. It is not a traditional Cadillac luxury automobile.
Despite some errors along the way (GM should have chosen the Volt to be a Cadillac instead of a Chevy) I do believe that in this period of transition from ICE to electrification, the Cadillac brand is resurgent and on its way to regaining the respect and leadership it deserves.
This article left out the Escalade for the second and fourth generation.
Also, the CTS-V for the third generation was introduced and had a four year life-cycle from 2016-2019, not 2014. However the CTS-V for the second generation model lived on till the end of 2014 and the CTS-V coupes in 2015 for extend lifecycle something you see coming from BMW and Mercedes back in the day and currently in reference to coupes and their high performance offerings.
I'm reading a lot of the comments where they are asking why certain models were left out. Maybe it's because these years are more forgettable than the previous ones? Let's face it. If you are an SUV person and if you like the Escalade, XT4/5/6, then maybe you feel this 2000 to 2022 era is the best years for Cadillac. I'm not saying the Escalade isn't a success. It is. But it's not a true Cadillac and the XT4 is one of the worst products for Cadillac in many years. So if you like and feel Cadillac's are SUV's and if you desire for Cadillac to be more like BMW/MB, then this era is for you. It certainly isn't for me, and especially after they dropped the last real Cadillac IMO (DTS/DeVille).
I understand that you prefer the Cadillacs of the '70-'80s with good reason because you founded Cadillac back in the '70s because your parents own '70s Cadillacs. The same difference can be said of anyone who was born in the late '90s to early '00s find the current Cadillacs with passion. So both decades, buyers will show favoritism of certain era of any automaker so there is no right or wrong. Some will argue that todays Cadillacs are far superior than the '70s-'80s Cadillacs with good reason if you see why some feel that way.
You feel the Escalade is not a real Cadillac but you do know that the engineers draw out the plans for the Escalade first before they do for Tahoe and Yukon right? The Escalade always engineered first since the fourth generation. But a lot of people don't know that because GM always introduced Tahoe first and introduce brand engineered bottom up which it should be the other way around. But the buying public does not seem to care because all three T1 models can't stay on lots long enough.
I'm not a big fan of the XT models by any means but is it fare to say that the Cimarron, car I used to own can't touch the candle to the XT4? The XT4 looks like a proper Cadillac inside and out. The Cimarron was simply a rebadge with different taillamps, nicer leather & quality interior with a Cadillac badge that shared a platform with the Chevy, Olds, Buick & Pontiac on the J body platform. Also the styling was the same across all brands in the interior of the Cimarron. You can not say that about the XT4 and the XT4 is a very sleek looking CUV and turn heads. So I feel the Cimarron was the worst Cadillac made for the reason there was just one generation.
And the DTS was not the best Cadillac ever made as a large car and the honor would go to the CT6. If Cadillac made an effort in the interior, it would be perfect but the CT6 was the real Cadillac more so that the DTS.
I don't think anyone thinks Cadillacs are trying to emulate BMW and MB but they do own the majority of the market share. Now back in the late '50s, MB had tailfins so can you say the same thing with MB being more like Cadillacs? So again, automakers go where the market is at to compete does not mean they are copying the competition. Cadillac had some missteps and now they are finding something that works with the Escalade, LYRIC, CELESTIQ and the V Series.
Now, I did found and discovered Cadillac for the '80s-'90s and I have few favorites of those generations but they can't touch a candle to the '30s-'60s and '00-'20s Cadillacs IMO.
Johnls_39: I get what you are saying, but nowhere did I compare the XT4 to the Cimarron. Yes, I proudly own a Cimarron and yes, I would choose to drive that over an XT4 if those were my two choices. I truly feel the XT4 is that bad and the Cimarron is much nicer to drive than most would ever know. But I digress on that as I'm certain nobody on earth would agree with me there. Bottom line, I stated that I feel the XT4 is the worst Cadillac in many years and I meant that to be over the past 22 years (that covers this article). My bad on that one.
As for the Escalade? I feel like you may be spitting hairs on that one. GM is GM and saying that they plan out the Slade first is interesting. The similarities are too much and a truck is a truck. I don't think Cadillac should be a truck (same for other luxury brands). But that's me and I will never spend that much money on any vehicle. Especially a truck.
Love this Era of Caddies. I have owned a 2007 CTS-V, a 2014 ATS Premium, and now drive a 2019 CTS VSport. The Caddilacs of the last couple of decades are the best looking domestic cars IMO. Hopefully have a couple years to save up for a dual motor Lyriq.