Prior to the launch of the Cadillac CT5, customers looking for a four-door luxury sedan with the Caddy crest on the nose would be directed towards the Cadillac CTS. Produced between 2002 and 2019 over three generations, the Cadillac CTS was also available as a two-door coupe and even a five-door wagon, with plenty of options for performance as well. Among these go-fast options was the Cadillac CTS V-Sport, which, simply put, offered a better transmission than the GM-branded transmissions available at the time.
For those readers who may be unaware, the Cadillac CTS V-Sport cradled the twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 LF3 gasoline engine, rated at 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. However, the CTS V-Sport was more than just an engine upgrade – it also had all the complementary components expected, such as sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and critically, the Aisin TL-80SN eight-speed automatic transmission.
The CTS V-Sport was the only Alpha-based CTS to equip the Aisin eight-speed, giving it yet another advantage over the non-V-Sport third-gen CTS, the latter of which was equipped with the GM 8LXX eight-speed. Comparing the two transmissions, the Aisin eight-speed was much smoother and less problematic than GM’s 8LXX eight-speed, with the GM unit frequently exhibiting shuddering and strange shifting behavior.
Regular readers will no doubt be familiar with the issues surrounding GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission, not to mention the myriad lawsuits with which it’s associated. As GM Authority covered last year, one of those lawsuits claims GM allegedly knowingly sold vehicles with defective transmissions (specifically the 8L45E and 8L90, equipped in no less than thirteen different GM models), with a judge granting the lawsuit class action certification last March. Affected models include the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac CT6, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Corvette, GMC Sierra, and others.
GM sought to fix the problematic eight-speed automatic with the launch of the third-generation Chevy Colorado, introducing a second generation for the eight-speed, and, in our experience, most of the issues were indeed resolved.
Nevertheless, these issues were never a problem for the Cadillac CTS V-Sport and Aisin eight-speed. As covered previously, the Cadillac CTS V-Sport is now a bargain on the used market, sweetening the deal even further for those buyers looking for a sporty Caddy without breaking the bank. The Aisin transmission is simply the cherry on top.
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Comments
No,
Literally every single Aisin transmission is inferior to a GM/ford transmission since the beginning of time.
The problems with the 8 speed was fluid based, and was only exacerbated by the fact that GM owners are used to transmissions not being a problem. Aisins require flushing every 20K, or they are guaranteed to lock up solenoids. The GM 8 speed with new fluid is way more reliable/smooth/quicker as well as efficient than any Aisen CURRENTLY in production, and definitely better than this older model.
This!
I keep reading about GM terrible transmissions, but the last one that failed on me was over 30 years ago a 700R-4 with 130k miles on it.
I even liked the shifting of the 8L-90 in my last truck – after the fluid change – better than my current trucks’ 10L90.
Let’s see, the ones that haven’t failed me yet: A different 700R4, 4L60, 4L60E, 6R80x3, 8L90, 10L90. Allison 6spd.
Steven: Tell that to the owner of a Tracker. The Aisin transmissions in those will handle anything. There’s a reason they switched from GM transmissions in the later years
Not sure of the argument about transmissions, however, I own a Premium model 2014 V-Sport that is approaching 64k miles. Zero problems with the transmission. It is without a doubt a great car and goes like hell with no effort when asked to. City MPG is 18 and Highway is 23-24 MPG at 80+ MPH. I also owned a 2017 V-Sport Luxury edition which was also equally great but did not have some of the luxuries of the Premium and was the wrong color, so I traded. I have also owned a ’96 STS, a 2008 STS and a 2009 SRX. The V-Sport performs better in many ways like my Corvette yet better but goes unnoticed unless one knows what they are looking at.
79,000 miles on my 2014 v sport premium with no transmission issues at all. Besides the rear end replaced( under recall) just oil and tires. Love the trifecta tune with 520 h.p.
Never thought I’d see the day when a Hydramatic transmission would be considered inferior to any other automatic transmission. GM Hydramatic invented the automatic transmission as we know it today. Many many other manufacturers used GM Hydramatics in their own vehicles… because they could not build a proper automatic themselves.
So, am I better off with my 2014 6-speed C7 Corvette than if I had a 2015-2019 8-speed C7? I have previously read that problems with the 2015 did not occur with the 2016-2019.
My 2014 CTS ‘Performance’ non-turbo 3.6L V6 also has the, Aisin eight-speed automatic transmission.
The transmission (and the whole car) has been completely trouble free! Aside from replacing the touch screen, it has had zero issues all these year of fun and abuse and it drives amazing! Just as it did the first day.
Occasionally it idles idle a little weird tho.. Maybe need will need timing chain someday..
I have a 2015 Cadillac CTS turbo 2.0 I’ve had quite a bit problems in last two years transmission ,overheating ,rear differential in the first year and it had only 60 thousand miles at the time and it acting up again and the cue radio screen went out last year . Am about done there needs to be a recall on the transmission rear differential, and the screen cue for these cars .