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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  Good looks only! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By 2005 STS - July 14 - 10:06 am

  Our car has been a lemon! Same tire thump as others reported & tires were replaced after about 4 trips to the dealer. Tires also after were replaced did not wear well or last long since can not be rotated. Power steering lines have been replaced. There was a burping noise coming from vents that was horrible as it sounded like someone was passing gas. Again after a few trips to dealer, some type of ventilation computer part was replaced. My car has been in the shop over a dozen times in 2 years. The problems were all "odd" and could not be diagnosed easily so there were many return trips. As other reviews have said when you buy a Cadillac you are not treated as if you buy a Lexus.

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  Great Looking car with Feature Issues - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By mlpjlk - July 11 - 10:01 am

  Like most people on this forum are stating, this car looks great, rides great, preforms great, stops great, etc... Mechanically, this car looks and performs head and shoulders above its competition. Where the STS falls short of everyone else is in the creature comforts that make a luxury car a luxury car. GM went cheap and misses the mark on these items. Bluetooth only certified to work on phones older then 2007. May work with newer ones, but they are not 100% Bluetooth compliant. See Suggested improvements below for more.

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  Best caddy so far - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By cuda783 - June 26 - 11:40 pm

  This is my third Sts and I would say this is the best one yet. I have owned the last three style changes of the car. Mine is the fully loaded v-8 awd model, with nav, headsup, and mag ride control. I have a 03 CTS and a 05 ESV and I would have to say I like this the best. Price is a little steep at $72,000 with all the options but it sure beats giving the Japanese more money! If you are worried about the gas, you cant afford the car! The v-8 is just as good on gas as the Cts with the 6cyl

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  Driving the 2008 STS - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Samlh - June 21 - 11:53 pm

  I bought the V8 style, because adaptive speed control was not available on the V6. I traded in my 2005 STS, and got a great deal on the purchase. To this point, I am very pleased with the car, although gas mileage has not been good. Hopefully, it will get batter as I put more miles on the car. Although my 2008 is still very new,I believe it is a big improvement over the 2005. The car looks and rides better. I believe I made a good decision in purchasing the 2008 STS.

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  Try a Mercedes before buying this. - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Neville - June 19 - 12:24 pm

  This is the worst car I have ever bought. I only have 56k miles on it, and have had many electrical issues, some of which have made the car unusable. The dealer service is expensive and incompetent. The car itself, when it works, is pleasant enough, but is totally unreliable. No wonder GM went broke making rubbish like this. Update: my local independent mechanic has repaired most of the electrical issues, and apart from minor issues which appear and then apparently fix themselves, the car is now relatively reliable.

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  Fantastic ride! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Glynn Campbell - June 7 - 10:33 am

  This is the sexiest car on the road, and is like driving your living room down the road, albeit a high performance living room! Quiet, comfortable and the most reliable car Ive ever owned

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  Not For Me - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By 2005 STS - June 4 - 1:34 pm

  The STS is a sleek, stylish car, but difficult to drive. There are too many complications such as not being able to see out of the back window, when anyone else drives it i.e. my husband, the rear view mirror change direction, but do not change back when I drive, also the radio automatically changes to another station or the disc changes. I do not like not having a key and I do not like the door locks, just to name a few.

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  Best luxury sports sedan - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Charlie Higgins - May 26 - 6:23 pm

  Since January my wife and I have driven this vehicle daily. At 250 miles we took off to Florida from Ohio and averaged 24 mpg at 68 mph. Many times I took it above 75. The six speed transmission feels almost continuously variable. We purchased the navigation option along with the luxury interior package and AWD. I agree 18" wheels would have been nice but the HD brakes are not compatible with this larger wheel. The car performance is smooth and controllable compared to the BMW 535 and the Mercedes E Series. We test drove the CTS and agree with other reviewer that there is no comparison . Quality is unassailable and with 5500 miles ytd we would purchase all over again.

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  Lots of small problems! - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Lomcc - May 24 - 10:15 am

  I leased this car almost a year ago because I could get a great lease deal and liked the styling. The engine and transmission are the best features on this car. It rides extremely well and has lots of power! The problem is in the details. The Bluetooth is a joke. Our BMW works light years better. The navigation system interface was poorly designed. It is confusing much harder to use than any other I have tried. There has already been one recall, plus a loose metal piece that had to replaced in the trunk, plus a non- working Homelink garage opener, plus lack of good steering wheel controls. For the same price, you could get a BMW that is MUCH better!

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  I bought the STS lemon - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Linda L. Felton - May 21 - 2:29 pm

  I purchased my STS in January, 2005 and was stranded on the highway by October, 2005 needing a new gear shift. Since December 21, 2006 I have been stranded with a dead battery six times and rough riding with the check engine light twice on Sunday trips of 200+ miles. By the time I get to the dealership after being delivered 5 new batteries in 3 years, the problem cannot be duplicated. Neither of the two dealerships have been able to duplicate the problems so they say there is no problem. There were 6 month intervals from 2006-2007 but 2008 has already recorded January 24, February 18, and May 18.