A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Cadillac STS

Big, bold and beautiful, the 2011 Cadillac STS is a full-size, four-door sedan that promises more than ample room for the entire family, as well as the power and performance you expect from the automaker. 2011 marked the final year of production for the STS.

Key Features

There’s a lot to enjoy about the 2011 Cadillac STS, but the most important is the sheer amount of passenger space in the vehicle. It’s big, and it gives you lots of room. It’s also surprisingly agile on the road for such a large car – the STS handles like a car half its size, making cornering almost fun. Another important feature is the high-end Bose audio system featuring studio surround sound. If you’re interested in keyless entry, the STS also boasts remote sensing technology that connects to the key fob to unlock the doors as you approach (without even having to press a button).

Changes for This Model Year

The only change for the 2012 model year was the elimination of the V8 engine. The only engine now offered is a V6.

What We Like

We love many things about the 2011 Cadillac STS. Perhaps the best thing is the handling – it takes curves like a champ. The audio system is a high point, and we love the way modern technology has been integrated throughout the vehicle.

What Concerns Us

Of course, there are some concerns with the car. The body style is definitely dated, and the trunk is just too small. We were also disappointed that the automaker decided to eliminate the V8 engine option – the V6 isn’t bad, but the V8 really had the oomph needed to get this large car up and going quickly.

Available Models

There are three trim levels available for the 2011 Cadillac DTS – the V6 Luxury Sport, the V6 Luxury and the V6 Premium. The only differences are cosmetic and handling related. All three trims use the same engine and transmission. The engine used is a 3.6-liter V6 pushing out 302 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. It’s capable of offering 18 mpg in town and 27 mpg on the highway. All trim levels also use a 6-speed automatic transmission and are rear wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an option for the higher end trim levels.

Major Recalls

No recalls have been issued for the 2011 Cadillac STS.

Common Issues

Common complaints from drivers concern the limited amount of space in the trunk for such a large car, as well as the firmness of the front seats (they’re not as soft as you might expect). Other complaints include the interior fit and finish not being as high as it should be.


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