Overview & Reviews

Though it evolved into an entirely different species, the luxury performance DNA of the Cadillac STS can be traced all the way back to the special range-topping Seville hardtop coupe of the 1950s. At that time one of the fastest, flashiest and most luxurious cars on the road, it evolved into various different forms over the course of several decades until emerging as the buttoned-down STS luxury sedan.

If you're in the market for a used luxury sedan with competitive amounts of power, roominess, comfort and value, a STS could be a good idea. However, it was largely eclipsed in terms of performance and luxury by competing Japanese and European sedans in its later years. Even its smaller CTS sibling offered better performance and handling, a much nicer interior and class-competitive interior space.

Most Recent Cadillac STS
The Cadillac STS was a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan that was produced from 2005 through 2011. A midcycle refresh took place for '08, bringing revised styling, a more luxuriously trimmed interior and a new base engine. We suggest focusing your search on cars from these later model years.

Originally, the STS came standard with a 255-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic. This was replaced by a 302-hp V6 and six-speed auto for 2008. With the exception of the STS's final model year in 2011, buyers could opt for a 320-hp 4.6-liter V8 coupled to a six-speed auto. Originally, each engine represented a different trim level, as the V8 came standard with the V6's optional heated front and rear seats, memory functions, heated steering wheel and automatic wipers. Key options to look for included a magnetically controlled adaptive suspension, adaptive cruise control, a navigation system and ventilated front seats.

For 2010 and 2011, however, trim levels were introduced. The V6 came in Luxury Sport, Luxury and Premium trims, while the V8 was available in Luxury and Performance. The actual equipment that was available didn't really change. Many of the previous options were simply redistributed into the upper trims, though it should be noted that all but the V6 Luxury trims got upgraded braking, steering and cooling systems.

In reviews and road tests, our editors found the strengths of the Cadillac STS to include surprising agility, respectable performance and a high-quality audio system. Downsides include a somewhat old-fashioned feel compared to its rivals, a small trunk and hit-or-miss interior quality. Overall, it's hard to fully endorse this full-size luxury sedan when Cadillac's own smaller CTS from the time offered a more involving drive while only giving up a bit of interior space to its big brother.

Previous Cadillac STS Models
Used shoppers may come across an older STS. Technically a trim level (there was also an SLS), this is actually the front-wheel-drive, fifth-generation Seville produced from 1998-2003. The STS was the "performance-oriented version" of that car and featured a more powerful V8 engine along with more luxury features. The 1992-'97 Seville also featured a similar STS edition.

User Reviews:

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By caddy4life - May 14 - 11:33 pm

  This car is awesome. it looks amazing driving down the street. I even got a complement from a Mercedes owner. The STS drives great and I love the cruise control that slows down when you get too close to another car. The heated/cooled seats are great for any weather. The navigation screen is big and easy to see even when the sun is out by moving the screen back and forth.

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  STS Rocks! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Jeff DAmato - May 11 - 9:54 pm

  This car is What puts Cadillac over the top. Not soft and old like Lexas. Not hard, business like and ugly like the new BMWs. By far the best stereo system in any car at any price.The STS Rocks!

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  They did Good - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By L.Englander - May 7 - 12:38 pm

  I like the looks and performance and I got the car loaded with just about every piece of optional equipment. Its nice to have people stare and compliment me on the car and maybe some day Ill figure out how to use all the gadgets.

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  My first Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Carlos Couto - April 29 - 12:11 am

  In my 30 plus years of driving I have driven all makes and some of the best cars in the world including Rolls Royce, and I have never seen a car so confortable, safe and tecnicaly advanced as my new STS. I truly enjoy driving it. Be aware that you lose your privacy, wherever you go people just keep looking at the car and driver (I think I like it). What a great buy I have made.

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  Luxury and fun car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By csquare - April 24 - 3:31 am

  Well designed and makes driving a pleasure. The engineers really gave a lot of thought to this design. It is ergonomically correct!

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  On the road again - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Mrs. R M Wheeler - April 22 - 6:13 am

  We traded 2002 DeVille in after test driving our STS 2005 Northstar V8. We test drove a Jaguar and a Mercedes a few months back. We werent in the market to really purchase a new car, but after driving the STS, we were sold. Handles like a dream, drives true and is really fun to drive. I am so lucky my husband who has is a car buff from way back, said he wouldnt consider the V6. When the salesman rode with us in the V8, he said it did have a little more pep than the V6! Beautifully done car, inside and out. Cadillac has a winner and so do we.

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  I love my STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By hrsavage - April 6 - 12:20 pm

  Over a 50 year span, my new STS is my 47th car and without doubt it is the best one I have owned. Its handling and all out drivability surpass anything I have ever driven, including 8 Mercedes and 3 Porsches, even a Lotus. And at 75 mph, it gets 24 miles to the gallon. Cadillac is again the standard of the world. All this for $50,000. Imagine!

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  My Third STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By mike h - April 5 - 11:10 pm

  Seems that with each model, Cadillac moves the STS across the scale: away from luxury, closer to sporty This car is fun to drive, but not as comfortable as a luxury car should be. There are some human factors issues to be worked out in: programming features, use of radio from steering column, no room for drivers lower body parts wind tunnel testing to get rid of a lot of noise.

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  STS,nice but bland - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Papabal - March 24 - 5:13 pm

  My V6 STS rides, handles and generally feels better than the 2003 Seville V8 STS it replaced and so far seems screwed together loads better than any previous GM Ive owned. But the styling outside and inside seems too bland. Designers seem to like the plain, trimless body sides these days (probably cheaper too), but on this car, like many others (BMW etc) there is too much flat sheet metal from window sill to rocker that will only attract dings and chips which will be accentuated by the flat expanse. On the inside, the voice navigation system really needs work and I defy someone to find the clock when stuff is turned on. Room could be better on such a large car.

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  Im glad I bought it - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Ty - March 23 - 1:39 pm

  I was shopping for a car in the $40,000 range. The Cadillac stood out in terms of styling and interior space. I chose it over the Acura RL which is nice but looks too much like a Honda Accord. Drives well. Excellent build quality. With 50/50 highway / city driving I get around 21 MPG.