2011 Cadillac STS Overviews

For 2011, the Cadillac STS loses its V8 option. Being the middle child can be pretty tough; just ask the 2011 Cadillac STS. Overall, the 2011 Cadillac STS remains a decent luxury sedan.



The 2011 Cadillac STS is a large luxury sedan available in three trim levels: V6 Luxury Sport, V6 Luxury and V6 Premium.



The V6 Luxury (yes, it's a step up from Luxury Sport) adds wood trim, power lumbar for the front seats, a CD changer, Bluetooth, driver memory settings and heated front seats. Options for the Luxury Sport are minimal, consisting of a performance brake package and all-wheel drive. The Premium trim offers a Performance Handling package (includes upgraded brakes, high-performance summer tires and chrome wheels) as well as a Premium Luxury Collection package (includes a sunroof, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning and a head-up display).



All trims come standard with rear-wheel drive, and AWD is an option on the Luxury Sport and Luxury trims.



Antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability control and a full complement of airbags are standard on every 2011 Cadillac STS. The Cadillac STS has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. In side-impact tests, the STS scored four stars for front passengers and five stars for rear passengers. Depending on trim level, the STS's cabin is fitted with aluminum accents and real wood trim as well.



Inside the STS works much better; Cadillac has paid attention to Germany, evidenced in the STS' sober, handsome cabin. The STS also has been a disappointing crash-safety performer. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is as mixed: it gives the STS "good" results in frontal-offset protection, "acceptable" results in side impact, and a "poor" grade for rear-impact tests. Safety options include a lane-departure warning system, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot warning system.



The latest STS still sports standard climate control; an AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system; a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel; and metallic and wood trim on the dash.



The Cadillac STS carries over basically unchanged from last year. As a result, the STS do lose some features that were only available on V8 models. Three trim levels are available -- base, Luxury and Premium – all-wheel drive is available for about $2,300 on base and Luxury models, while Premium trimmed cars is rear-wheel drive only. A top-end STS Premium commands a $56,380 price tag and adds a rear-spoiler, auto-dimming xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels and a Bose surround sound audio system with navigation.



If you expect a fair amount of standard features from your luxury large car, the base STS might disappoint.