Cadillac · 2002–2019

Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Cadillac brand from 2002 until 2019 across three generations. Initially available as a 4-door sedan using the GM Sigma platform, GM offered the second-generation CTS as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and 5-door sport wagon, and the third generation as a sedan, using a stretched version of the GM Alpha platform. High performance sedan variants were offered for each generation as the CTS-V, with wagon and coupe variants offered for the second generation. The first-generation CTS marked a $4 billion investment by General Motors to set a new course for Cadillac styling, introduce a new rear-drive platform, and most importantly, re-establish the brand's relevancy. Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko designed the exterior of the first-generation CTS, marking the production debut of its "Art and Science" design language first used on the Evoq concept car, and developed with key contributions from Thomas Kearns and Mike Torpey. John Manoogian II directed the second-generation CTS design, as initially conceived by Robert Munson. Bob Boniface and Robin Krieg designed the exterior of the third-generation CTS. The CTS ended production in 2019 and was replaced by the CT5, which shared its platform with the third and final generation of the CTS in addition to the smaller CT4.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Cadillac Catera · Successor: Cadillac CT5

All Cadillac CTS data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (2003)

Introduced in January 2002 as a 2003 model, the CTS sedan used GM's new rear-wheel drive Sigma platform and a fully independent suspension. It was the first Cadillac offered with a manual transmission since the 1988 Cimarron. All models were manufactured at GM's Lansing Grand River Assembly in Lansing, Michigan. The CTS replaced the Opel-based Catera, the initialism "CTS" standing for "Catera Touring Sedan". Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko designed the exterior of the first-generation CTS — the coupe variant having developed from a sketch drawn by Robert Munson, selected by Michael Simcoe, and developed into a model by Paul Sciluna. The coupe marked the production debut of Cadillac's "Art and Science" design language, first seen on the Evoq concept, which automotive journalist Dan Neil described as a "fractal geometric style". Writing for The New York Times, Neil described the design of the CTS as "confident, distinctive and pure," and called the car itself "a serious automobile, a car of consequence. In its 100th year and at the 11th hour, Cadillac made a brave investment in the supremacy of design, in the idea that cleverness should be cloaked in beauty." Originally powered by a 3.2 L LA3 V6 producing 220 hp (164 kW), the CTS received an updated 3.6 L DOHC V6 with variable valve timing as an option in 2004, producing 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 lb⋅ft (342 N⋅m) of torque. The 3.2 L engine went out of production in 2005, when a new 2.8 L version of the DOHC V6 debuted in an entry-level version of the CTS. In Europe, the 2.8 L replaced the previous entry-level 2.6 L engine. The CTS was originally offered with either GM's in-house five-speed 5L40-E automatic transmission or a five-speed Getrag 260 manual transmission. For the 2005 model year, the Getrag was replaced with an Ais

Second generation (2008)

GM presented the 2008 CTS at the North American International Auto Show in January 2007. The 2008–2009 base model featured a 3.6 L LY7 V6 with 263 hp (196 kW) and 253 lb⋅ft (343 N⋅m) of torque carried over from the previous generation. A second engine, a new 3.6 L direct-injection V6 VVT engine with 304 hp (227 kW) and 273 lb⋅ft (370 N⋅m) of torque was also offered. For 2010, the base engine changed to a 3.0L variable valve timing (VVT) V6 with 270 hp (201 kW) and 224 lb⋅ft (304 N⋅m) of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard equipment on the second generation CTS and GM's 6-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission was available as an option on all variants. On-demand all-wheel drive was offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission. Suspension, braking, and steering improvements from the previous generation CTS-V were incorporated into the new standard CTS. The second-generation CTS was wider and longer than the original, measuring 191.6 in (4,867 mm) long, 72.5 in (1,841 mm) wide and 58 in (1,473 mm) in height. Wheelbase remained unchanged at 113.4 in (2,880 mm), but with a wider front/rear track of 61.8 / 62.0 in (1,570 / 1,575 mm). Other changes included revised exterior, grille, headlights and taillights, side air extractor vents located forward of the front doors, nine-spoke 18-inch wheels, and high-performance brake calipers and rotors. Available features on the second-gen CTS included a Bose 5.1 surround sound system, GM's ESC system (marketed as Stabiltrak), tire pressure monitoring system, navigation system with real-time traffic and weather data, integrated hard drive for music storage, swiveling headlights, and remote starting. In 2008, General Motors anticipated relaunching the Cadillac brand in Australia and New Zea

Third generation (2014)

On March 26, 2013, Cadillac unveiled the third generation of the CTS. The 2014 CTS uses the 2.0L turbocharged I4 and 3.6L V6 from the ATS and also offers a new twin turbocharged V6 producing 420 hp (313 kW) and 430 lb⋅ft (583 N⋅m) of torque. The twin turbocharged engine was only available in the CTS Vsport, a new trim that served as a step between the 3.6L V6 and the high-performance CTS-V. Despite carrying the CTS name, the third-generation model is actually closer in size and market position to the former STS. Bob Boniface and Robin Krieg designed the exterior of the third-generation CTS, while Eric Clough designed the interior. General Motors began assembling 2014 CTS sedans intended for sale to customers on September 16, 2013, with sales beginning in October 2013. Reception. Motor Trend named the third-generation CTS its 2014 Car of the Year. As customary with award winners, the magazine acquired a CTS (in Vsport trim) for a long-term test. Its verdict lauded the car's driving dynamics and reliability, but criticized its CUE multi-media interface. In a four-way comparison in the December 2013 issue of Car and Driver, the 2014 CTS 3.6 placed second overall. The article praised the handling of the CTS, stating that it was "the only car in this group that didn't just put up with hard driving, it indeed goaded its driver to go faster," and praised the stopping ability, stiff structure and light weight of the car. The article criticized the engine for being "coarse in the upper ranges", the acceleration times, the fuel economy and the CUE entertainment system. Sales concerns led Cadillac to offer rebates to the 2014 models and lower sticker prices on the 2015 models. Powertrains. All engines available in the 2014 CTS are constructed from cast aluminum blocks and heads, a

Marketing

The CTS was featured in the 2003 film The Matrix Reloaded, its producers seeking a car that would complement the film's atmosphere. General Motors suggested the then-unreleased CTS to the filmmakers. Ten prototypes, damaged to different extents, were used to represent the film's hero car, a silver CTS.

Motorsports

The CTS-V was raced in the SCCA World Challenge series. The first generation CTS-V sedan competed from 2004 to 2007, winning the manufacturer's championship in 2005 and 2007. Starting in 2011, the second-generation V competed as a coupe, winning Cadillac back-to-back manufacturer's championships in 2012 and 2013. The 2011 coupe race car was built by Pratt & Miller. For the 2015 season, the CTS-V was replaced by the Cadillac ATS-V.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Cadillac CTS

Manufacturer

General Motors

Production

2002–2019

Model years

2003–2019

Class

Mid-size luxury car (E) , Grand tourer (S) (CTS Coupe)

Predecessor

Cadillac Catera

Successor

Cadillac CT5

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q770733CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_CTSCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373014723 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%2714_Cadillac_CTS_Sedan.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Bull-Doser · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://web.archive.org/web/20150225170509/http://www.cadillac.com/cts-sport-sedan.htmlLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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