2019 Cadillac XTS

The 2019 Cadillac XTS features an attractive cabin. Soft-touch materials abound, though the cabins in many rivals may look a little nicer. The seats are supportive and comfortable, offering enough head- and legroom for most adults. The trunk is a little larger than most rivals. Several standard and available comfort, tech, and safety features round out this car’s interior appeal.

• The materials quality feels nice in areas such as the leather-wrapped dash and the soft premium leather seats. But the glossy simulated-wood trim and much of the switchgear just look cheap. Panel gaps aren't bad but don't look as tight as in other luxury offerings at this price point. " -- Edmunds
• "The interior is nicely assembled with few gaps and soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. It's possibly GM's best effort to date and comparable to some of the finest interiors in this category." -- Consumer Reports (2018)
• "Step inside the Cadillac XTS for 2016 and you will see a rich, impeccably assembled cabin. Comfortable, leather-trimmed seats are standard, and top-line models get leather-wrapped interior panels." -- Kelley Blue Book (2016)

Seating

The XTS seats five people on standard leather upholstery. Available seating amenities include 22-way power-adjustable front seats, massaging front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power rear sunshades, and a rear-seat armrest with audio controls.

There’s ample space for most adults to sit comfortably in both rows, thanks to generous head- and legroom. The seats are comfortable and supportive enough for long drives. Where the XTS struggles is with the execution of its cabin. In the front, a large dash and center console can make the cabin feel confined, and front and rear visibility can be limited. Additionally, the heating and ventilating systems of rivals work better and faster.

This sedan has two complete sets of rear LATCH connectors for securing child car seats. The tether anchors are generally easy to find, but the lower anchors are set deep in the seat.

• For such a large car, the interior feels far from spacious. Front passengers won't be short on room. However, a large dash and center console take up a good amount of cabin space. The backseat passengers fare a little better with a decent amount of legroom and less of the cabin wrapping around them." -- Edmunds
• "One of the XTS's best attributes is its spacious, 5-passenger cabin. There is generous legroom in the front and back, and it's easy to get comfortable in the standard leather seats. … New foam in the front seats improves comfort while resisting fatigue, and the power-adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel and easy-to-grab shift lever feel terrific." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Rear seat passengers get about four inches more legroom than in most other four-doors in this price bracket." -- Left Lane News (2016)

Interior Features

Standard features in the Cadillac XTS include dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, push-button start, proximity keyless entry, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, Teen Driver, and wireless device charging. The standard CUE infotainment system features an 8-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports (plus a third charging port), an eight-speaker Bose sound system, satellite radio, a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Options include tri-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, a 120-volt household-style power outlet, and a 12.3-inch driver information display. You can also outfit your Cadillac with a host of advanced safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a surround-view parking camera, a head-up display, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, front parking sensors, automatic park assist, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, forward collision warning, and forward and reverse automatic braking.

The dashboard looks modern thanks to a sleek, smart layout of controls, and the CUE infotainment system is generally responsive to inputs. However, some of the controls beneath it can be tough to use, and the reconfigurable digital instrument cluster takes time to learn.

See 2019 Cadillac XTS specs »

• "The touch-sensitive controls are responsive and refined, but it's still a clunky interface overall. Some controls are haptic while others are not, and the gloss-black surface and screen are prone to finger smudges. The touch-sensitive power storage compartment is annoyingly easy to activate unintentionally." -- Edmunds
• All instruments are digital, with bright, crisp graphics. Our tested vehicle and higher trim-levels have a reconfigurable gauge cluster that offers a wide variety of display options. However, toggling through all of these options can be overwhelming." -- Consumer Reports (2018)
• "However, we're not so hot on the touch-based audio, information and climate-command system that can be finicky for your fingers to operate." -- Kelley Blue Book (2018)

Cargo

At 18 cubic feet, the XTS trunk is one of the largest in its class. However, the trunk isn’t wide, meaning it can be challenging to load longer items. Unlike some cars in the class, split-folding rear seats come standard, which gives you a little extra space. There’s also a good amount of small-item storage throughout the cabin.

• The trunk is deep, but the high liftover could pose some issues with heavy items. The covered side walls create a clean look but also a narrower luggage space that won't fit a set of golf clubs widthwise. The seats fold down, which is not too common in this segment." -- Edmunds
• "The large trunk is nicely finished and holds four large suitcases and a duffel bag. It can be expanded by folding the 60/40-split seatbacks. There is a small storage bin under the cargo floor." -- Consumer Reports (2018)
• "The 3-passenger rear seat offers good legroom, and a massive, 18-cubic-foot trunk can swallow five or more suitcases." -- Kelley Blue Book (2015)