Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A popular used Cadillac in Chesapeake, VA, a black 2020 Cadillac Escalade, is shown on a city street.

Cadillacs: Affordable Used Luxury Cars

Luxury products encompass a multitude of characteristics: style, comfort, quality, and prestige. When you rent a luxury hotel room, you expect it to be of exceptional quality, with lavish silky beds, a fully-stocked fridge, and high-quality furniture. Most importantly, the room functions as a getaway from everyday life. A luxury car should be no different. Being seen behind the wheel of such a vehicle is a spectacle to onlookers and jealous car enthusiasts alike.

No brand embodies these qualities of style, class, and performance better than Cadillac. Being seen in a Cadillac lets people know that you own a reliable, high-performance, and high-status vehicle. What many may not know is that owning a Caddy is much more affordable than it seems. What many may not know is that owning a Caddy is much more affordable than it seems. A used Cadillac is a great choice thanks to its unique properties and spectacular performance.

High Status, Low Cost

Let’s be honest. Everyone would love to afford the lap of luxury without actually paying the premium cost. Thankfully, Cadillac has been able to maintain its class at a reasonable price. Being a GM product, Cadillacs have many parts that are interchangeable with other GM brands. As a result, maintaining a Caddy is just as affordable as owning one.

A bonus to buying used is that Cadillacs are classy, age well, and are quite reliable. Miraculously, some Cadillacs sell for around the same price as a standard vehicle. According to Kelley Blue Book, a basic 2020 Cadillac CT5 Sedan costs $37,890. While it is a bit more than a chunk of change, it is not that far off from some modern non-luxury brands.

For a family-orientated full-sized SUV, the 2020 Cadillac Escalade is the way to go. This behemoth of a vehicle comfortably sits seven, with an additional option to seat eight. Some of its standard features include magnetic ride control, 20-inch wheels, and power seats. One of the more popular standard driver assist features is Park Assist. With a huge SUV like this, any help piloting the vehicle is appreciated. The base price is about $75,000. That’s not cheap, but it doesn’t take much to option up a 2023 Chevy Tahoe to a comparable price. Just adding the mid-range Z71 package with the bigger 6.2L V8 engine brings the Tahoe’s price tag up to $74,800. You could be driving a lightly used Cadillac instead.

A white 2018 Cadillac CT6 is shown from a high angle.

Road Stability

Cadillacs can be your year-round daily driver thanks to the optional all-wheel drive and numerous available safety features. The Cadillac CT5, for example, comes standard with automatic emergency braking. Look for a model with optional all-wheel drive for the best road-holding capabilities in any weather.

One unique feature that enhances Cadillac’s road performance is Magnetic Ride Control, which adjusts the firmness or softness of the shock absorbers with the press of a button. Tour mode is for those who want to feel soft cushions when driving on any terrain. Sport mode provides a stiffer ride that lets you feel what the car is doing. The Track/Race mode provides maximum stiffness and excellent grip on twisty back roads.

Luxury Car, Luxury Performance

Features like wood finish on the dash, genuine leather seats, and the latest technology mean nothing if the car doesn’t function as a method of transportation. The 2020 CT5’s 2.0L Twin-Scroll turbo 4-cylinder engine produces 237 hp, which is more than enough to leave other vehicles in the dust. Best of all, this beefy performance does not come at the cost of poor fuel efficiency, with an impressive 23 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. This makes the car an efficient daily driver that can be used for long commutes to work. Is 237 hp not enough? For an extra $2,000 to $3,000, you can get a CT5 with a 3.0L twin turbo V6 engine. It pumps 360 hp, turning an already fast vehicle into a bigger threat on the road.

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade also has an engine befitting its enormous size and prestige, a 6.2L V8 producing a monstrous 420 hp. Those horses aren’t just for driving, either, as the Escalade can tow an impressive 8,300 lbs. It can transport the kids by day, do some heavy hauling during the night, or it can do both at the same time for a family trip.

Cutting-Edge Technology

In addition to its world-renowned luxury and comfort, Cadillac has always had a dedication to providing its drivers with the most innovative and modern tech available in the automotive industry. One can immediately see these next-level features by simply examining the current Cadillac lineup. Take a look at the 2023 Cadillac CT5, for example. Centered in the vehicle’s dashboard is the massive 10-inch HD touchscreen with natural voice-recognition technology and equipped with all the tools you need to stay connected on the road.

With wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, you can take all your podcasts and favorite playlists with you for those long trips on the open highway. A premium 9-speaker audio system will ensure your music is crystal clear, while three USB ports located throughout the cabin will guarantee everyone’s devices will stay charged throughout the trip. An available wi-fi hotspot will keep everyone connected, giving them access to email, streaming services, and more.

But it’s more than just entertainment when it comes to Cadillac’s forward-thinking technology; its lineup gives drivers an array of comfort and convenience features to make any drive an experience that is simply unparalleled. Looking at the Cadillac Escalade’s Premium Luxury Platinum trim, comfort, and convenience are all around you, whether you’re behind the wheel or enjoying the view from the back. Perhaps Cadillac’s attention to detail is best demonstrated in its customizable seating. The front and rear seats are adorned in premium leather and can both be heated, with up to three different heating levels. For those who live in colder climates, heated seating may just be at the top of your list when it comes to experiencing the most comfortable driving experience. And yes, the leather-trimmed steering wheel is heated, too.

Those occupying the driver and front passenger seats get a truly lavish front-row experience with 12-way power seats with memory settings. Now you can truly find the comfort you’re looking for on those long road trips by fine-tuning the seating to fit your unique comfort needs. But the Escalade doesn’t stop there; the front-row seating has a power lumbar massage feature to make everyone up front feel like they’ve just traveled to a fancy spa for a deep tissue massage. This feature is perfect for those spending ample time behind the wheel. With five different modes, you’ll be able to stay energized and focused on the road ahead.

A grey 2020 Cadillac CT5 Sport is shown from the side against a dark background.

A Good Luxury Value

Cadillac gets its reputation by fulfilling the expectations of a luxury brand without the prices of one. Their vehicles are affordable, high quality, and equally affordable to maintain. Ride with comfort and ease, knowing that models such as the 2020 Escalade come standard with collision detection and magnetic ride control. Additionally, with optional all-wheel drive, these cars can be used as year-round, daily drivers, many with impressive performance and horsepower. Other models like the 2020 CT5 are not only powerful but fuel-efficient, saving money on everyday commutes and useful in both city and highway driving. You can’t go wrong with a Caddy.