Cadillac XTS = Lexus ES350

[Lord Cadillac]

Need I say more? What are your thoughts on this?

[The Tony Show]

The CTS already competes with the ES in price and size. Yes, the ES is a FWD, "softer" car than the CTS, but the price, features and size are close. Unless they plan on marketing the XTS as a softer alternative to the CTS and make the CTS an edgier car, I see the XTS just cannibalizing CTS sales.

[Lord Cadillac]

The CTS will become aligned with the 5-Series and GS while a new entry-level Caddy will take on the 3-Series, IS and the rest...

[Lord Cadillac]

I know this strikes everyone as terrible news but there may be a little light at the end of the tunnel. If the XTS is going after the Lexus ES (which I know Buick should really be doing), than maybe Cadillac realizes that Lexus is a good target. To begin with, Lexus has become a success largely because they made vehicles that Cadillac used to. Big, comfortable, soft-riding, quiet and extremely luxurious. Cadillac used to make these better than anyone. When GM decided to get cheap and Cadillac rested on it's laurels, Lexus came right in and stole every single Cadillac customer that wasn't a die-hard enthusiast.

So while this isn't what Cadillac needs "right now" - maybe this is what they need in order to pave the way for the future. If this means they'll have a good competitor to the Lexus GS460 and eventually a good competitor to the Lexus LS460, than things may be looking up. Cadillac already has a good competitor to the Lexus RX350. And I have a feeling that whatever replaces the Escalade is going to be truly comfortable, luxurious and filled with the kind of features luxury buyers want/need.

Like I said - I know this isn't great news for us "enthusiasts" - but it may be good news for everybody else - which accounts for about 99% of automobile buyers in the world...

[The Tony Show]

I agree about the 99% of buyers statement. If everyone were enthusiasts, the RX and ES wouldn't be the sales success they are.

I think Cadillac would be smart to use platform sharing to build a high quality entry level car to slot below the CTS. The two cars I just mentioned are both rebadged products that sell very well due to their price and perceived status, so there's no reason Cadillac can't do the same- the key is that they do enough to differentiate it from the Buick model (no repeat of the '99 Escalade, please). Toss some higher quality gauges and interior trim, more sculpted body panels and a creamier ride in it, and I think it would be a winner.

The CTS has long been marketed as a 5 series at a 3 series price, but that's led only to confusion. People think it's smaller than it is due to the size of the competitors in its class, so slotting a new "starting at $29,995" car below the CTS would more clearly define its role.

[Lord Cadillac]

The next CTS is growing a bit - and Cadillac is really going to line it up with the 5-Series. The price will probably go up a bit as well - and that'll make it very clear who the competition really is. Whatever this 3-Series competitor is, they really need to make it a winner. I don't think the current CTS design is attracting the kind of youthful buyers the 3-Series does for BMW. Cadillac needs to think of something different. You and I surely love the CTS - but I really don't think young people are very impressed with it.. Generally...

[The Tony Show]

There's a lot of kids in the 08+ CTS forum, and a ton of them in the 03-07 forum. You didn't see that 5 years ago, so something's working.

[Lord Cadillac]

I'm sure that HERE there are plenty of kids with these cars - but I never, ever, ever see them just riding around out on the street. If we're to expect them ANYWHERE, it's here... We need to see them - there.

[Dr. Design]

Is this just a theory, or is their substantial evidence that supports this? It was my understanding, according to sources familiar with the XTS, that this vehicle was much larger in size and still noticeably larger than the current market CTS. Granted the drivetrain is what you have already specified, I wouldn't think it would target the ES Lexus as it would easy outclassed by the Cadillac.....

Thanks,

Dr. Design
D3 Cadillac

Originally Posted by Lord Cadillac

Need I say more? What are your thoughts on this?

[Lord Cadillac]

I think this is all hearsay at the moment. But for now, it's all we have. I "think" the sources have been correct more often than not in the past.

[Lord Cadillac]

So what does everybody think of the great possibility that the Cadillac XTS will also compete directly with the Buick LaCrosse (the new one)? Should Buick be aiming for the Lexus ES350?

[gothicaleigh]

I think the Cadillac XTS is already shaping up to be a failure.
If this rumored vehicle is the future of Cadillac it would have been better had GM allowed the brand to go out along with Pontiac. They finally straightened the brand out and now they want to take a giant step backwards. First no more Vs and now new large FWD platforms? I bet they're laughing their asses off in Munich.

[Lord Cadillac]

Originally Posted by gothicaleigh

I think the Cadillac XTS is already shaping up to be a failure.
If this rumored vehicle is the future of Cadillac it would have been better had GM allowed the brand to go out along with Pontiac. They finally straightened the brand out and now they want to take a giant step backwards. First no more Vs and now new large FWD platforms? I bet they're laughing their asses off in Munich.

I agree.. I do think there's time for a lot to change between now and 2012 - but if things stay the same, I'm really not liking where this is going. This car should be a Buick - and it is - it's a (yet-to-be-released) 2010 LaCrosse.. I'm not sure how well the Lincoln MKS is doing but I don't think people generally feel it's a good replacement for the Town Car. The XTS might be a decent replacement for the STS - but it's probably going to be underpowered. GM has a twin-turbo 3.6L DI laying around that gets 435 HP but I'm not sure if the rest of the drivetrain can handle that kind of power.

Here is the list of vehicles using the same Epsilon II platform:

2009 Buick Regal (China)
2009 Opel Insignia
2010 Buick LaCrosse
2010 Saab 9-5
2011 Cadillac XTS
2011 Buick Regal (U.S. Version)
2013 Chevrolet Impala

I just don't see how a Cadillac fits in with the rest...

[c5 rv]

Cadillac is rapidly moving toward badge engineering with luxury cars sharing the same platforms and plants as mass-market brands. Ford is doing the same with the MKZ / Fusion, MKX / Edge, MKS / Taurus, MKT / Flex. I generally don't care for this. My MKZ looks too much like a Fusion. Granted, it was quite a bit cheaper than a similar CTS.

[hyperboimmv]

I think the XTS could very well be the Chinese SLS. Think about it, its the STS extended a bit, so it'd also play in the DTS area.