Established in 1902, Cadillac has a long history of making luxurious and powerful all-American vehicles. Fast forward to more than a century and now it is being held one of the most prominent brands that rivals German luxury automakers. However, along this more than 100 years of journey, what are the fastest Cadillac sedans, SUVs, and other vehicles ever produced?
Published March 18, 2024
Cadillac, founded in 1902, has given the American people numerous reasons to be proud of their Cadillac vehicles, with luxurious interiors and extravagant exteriors. Cadillac has been the most desirable luxury brand from General Motors, and it excels in more than just appearance and feel.
With a rich heritage spanning over a century, Cadillac continues to captivate drivers with its sleek designs, advanced technology, and unrivaled comfort. From iconic classics to modern marvels, the Cadillac represents a timeless symbol of prestige and sophistication on the road.
Apart from the fastest Cadillac cars in 2022, we've also created a list of the fastest Cadillac cars to buy in 2023.
The brand has also developed some of the most comfortable yet high-performance cars with STS and Blackwing badges. But which is the fastest of the lot? Let's find out.
The 1970 Cadillac Eldorado was capable enough to do a 0-60 MPH sprint in about 7.6 seconds and had a claimed top speed of 126 mph. Back in the '70s, the Eldorado had a base price of around $7,000, which made it one of the most popular big American coupes of the time. Nowadays, you can find a decent Eldorado with prices ranging from $15,000 to $40,000.
1970 Cadillac Eldorado | Specs |
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Price | $6,903 |
Powertrain | 8.2L V8 |
Horsepower | 400 hp |
Torque | 550 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 7.6 seconds |
Top speed | 126 mph |
The 1970 Cadillac Eldorado was more than just a souped version of the Cadillac De Ville. The 1970 Eldorado featured the Cadillac 500 V8 for the first time. The 8.2-liter V-8 monster fitted under the hood offered 400 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque as standard. However, the transmission remains unchanged from the predecessors, with a 3-speed automatic as standard.
With the 6.0L V8 under the hood, the 1980 Cadillac Eldorado was able to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 12.9 seconds, while with the 5.7L V8 selected, the Eldorado could reach 0-60 mph in 11.4 seconds. The 1980 Eldorado was not a lightweight car and had enormous dimensions, therefore achieving such numbers was considered respectable. The 1980 Cadillac Eldorado had a starting price of $16,141.
1980 Cadillac Eldorado | Specs |
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Price | $16,141 |
Powertrain | 5.7-liter V8 |
Horsepower | 170 hp |
Torque | 269 lb-ft |
Transmission | 3-Speed Automatic |
0-60 mph | 11.4 seconds |
Top speed | 126 mph |
The 1980 Cadillac Eldorado witnessed major performance changes, courtesy of stringent emission norms. The 1980 Eldorado was offered two engine options: a 6.0-liter V8 and a 5.7-liter V8. The 6.0-liter V8 engine produced 145 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, while the smaller 5.7-liter V8 engine was sourced from Oldsmobile, delivering 170 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
The 1990 Cadillac Seville STS was capable of doing the 0–60 MPH sprint in 8.8 seconds and had a claimed top speed of 115 mph. The Seville STS was a step forward as it received a new design language and a smaller 4.9L V8 block, an enormously differentiating factor from the old Cadillacs. The Seville STS lost the enormous dimensions of the old Cadillac models and looked much more modern and distinctive.
1990 Cadillac Seville STS | Specs |
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Price | $36,320 |
Powertrain | 4.9L V8 |
Horsepower | 201 hp |
Torque | 275 lb-ft |
Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
0-60 mph | 8.8 seconds |
Top speed | 115 mph |
The 1990 Cadillac Seville STS was a four-door sedan known for its modern drivetrain configuration and a new design language. The Seville STS was powered by a 4.9-liter V8 engine producing 201 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission and an FWD drivetrain was offered as standard.
The 2000 Cadillac Seville STS sedan was capable of completing a 0-60 mph sprint in 6.7 seconds. The new 4.6L Pentastar V6 offered a quieter and smoother driving experience, and it even offered better fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The 2000 Cadillac Seville STS came with a base price of $49,075, which was a bit more than its predecessor.
2000 Cadillac Seville STS | Specs |
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Price | $49,075 |
Powertrain | 4.6L V8 |
Horsepower | 300 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft |
Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
0-60 mph | 6.7 seconds |
Top speed | Over 130 mph |
The 2000 Cadillac Seville STS went through a thorough upgrade as it received a new engine. The 2000 Seville STS was powered by a 4.6-liter Pentastar V8 engine, which was configured to offer 275 hp in the SLS version, while the STS, which was the more powerful version, offered 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission and FWD as standard.
To compete with European droptops and two-door grand touring models, Cadillac launched the Eldorado in two trim levels, the ETC, i.e., Eldorado Touring Coupe, and the ESC, i.e., Eldorado Sports Coupe. The ESC had about $4,000 less in pricing, whereas the ETC used to cost $45,000, which was a premium back in the day.
This price increment came due to the more rigid suspension setup, and a slightly more powerful tune to the engine. The Eldorado Touring Coupe used to produce around 300 horses, whereas the same engine in the Sports Coupe trim would generate about 275 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The ETC models made 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
We won’t say that the Eldorado was very quick on its feet, but it was a fast tourer that will make your interstate journeys easier than you would expect. Cadillac added stability control technology to help it be more stable on the highway, and there was also this adaptive damping technology that was marketed as Roadsense Suspension.
2002 Cadillac ETC Collector Series Eldorado | Specs |
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Price | $47,660 |
Powertrain | 4.6L V8 |
Horsepower | 300 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft |
Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
0-60 mph | 5.0 seconds |
Top speed | 126 mph |
The Cadillac ETC Collector Series Eldorado came with a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 300 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 126 mph.
The X in XLR V might sound like it is some sort of crossover but in reality, it is a two-door droptop luxury coupe and has been blessed by the V division of Cadillac. The 2006 Cadillac XLR-V was targeted to get the market share of cars like the Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG, Porsche 911 Carrera, Jaguar XKR, and the Maserati 4200 Coupe.
Talking about the XLR V, was quite a phenomenal product from the house of Cadillac. The engine was refined, had a linear power delivery throughout the rev range and even it was quite durable as well. Cadillac took the 4.6 Northstar V8 motor and increased the metal among the cylinders to make it endure the extra power of the supercharger.
Back in the 2000s, when Cadillac launched this roadster, the XLR V convertible had a starting price of $100,000, a bit less than most of its European rivals.
2006 Cadillac XLR-V | Specs |
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Price | $97,485 |
Powertrain | 4.4L Supercharged V8 |
Horsepower | 443 hp |
Torque | 414 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic |
0-60 mph | 4.7 sec |
Top speed | 155 mph |
The Cadillac XLR V comes with a supercharged 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 443 HP and 414 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 155 mph.
The 2010 Cadillac CTS-V was capable of completing a 0-60 mph sprint in a mere 4.3 seconds and could demolish a quarter-mile run in 12.4 seconds. Additionally, the 4-door sedan had a claimed top speed of 191 mph. The 2010 CTS-V captured the true essence of Cadillac with its uber-styling and amazing performance. The 2010 CTS-V sedan came with a price tag of $60,720.
2010 Cadillac CTS-V | Specs |
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Price | $60,720 |
Powertrain | 6.2L Supercharged V8 |
Horsepower | 556 hp |
Torque | 551 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
0-60 mph | 4.3 sec |
Top speed | 191 mph |
The 2010 Cadillac CTS-V was equipped with the detuned version of the mighty engine found in the legendary Corvette ZR1. The 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine was capable of pushing out 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. The 2010 CTS-V was offered with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, but there was also a 6-speed automatic for a more comfortable and effortless drive.
If you think that the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a bit costly, then you should check out the Cadillac ATS-V coupe in the used car market. We also have some of them listed on our website. These sedans came with a twin-turbo V6 motor, just like the one you get in the CT4.
So even though it doesn’t have a huge power difference, the pricing of the ATS V is slightly pocket-friendly overall.
There was an automatic transmission available as well as a proper 6-speed manual, and even though the automatic went from 0 to 60 in about two-tenths of a second quicker than the manual transmission, it was the manual that gave us tons of fun while driving around the track.
When new, the 2019 Cadillac ATS V used to have a base price of $67,795, and it competed with the likes of the Audi RS5, BMW M3, and Mercedes-AMG C63. Meanwhile, the sedan model of the ATS-V has been discontinued for the 2019 model year.
2019 Cadillac ATS V | Specs |
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Price | $67,795 |
Powertrain | 3.6L Twin-Turbocharged V6 |
Horsepower | 464 hp |
Torque | 445 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
0-60 mph | 4.2 seconds |
Top speed | 189 mph |
The Cadillac ATS V came with a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 464 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and reach a claimed top speed of 189 mph.
The 2020 Cadillac CT6-V sedan was capable of doing a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.8 seconds, along with a quarter-mile drag time of 12.2 seconds and a claimed top speed of 200 mph. The CT6-V came with a base price of $92,790. However, it was one of the best-handling sports sedans of all time.
2020 Cadillac CT6-V | Specs |
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Price | $94,895 |
Powertrain | 4.2L twin-turbo V8 |
Horsepower | 550 hp |
Torque | 640 lb-ft |
Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
0-60 mph | 3.8 sec |
Top speed | 149 mph |
The 2020 Cadillac CT6-V is a more action-packed version of the standard CT6. Although the CT6-V was axed in 2021, it was still one of the favorites in Cadillac's catalog. The CT6-V is powered by a twin-turbo 4.2-liter V-8 engine producing 550 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque as standard. The power was managed by a very potent 10-speed automatic transmission and an AWD configuration.
The Cadillac Escalade needs no introduction, an American-born SUV with a big V8 engine under the hood. The V trim, however, takes it to the next level by strapping a supercharger on it, and it makes nearly 700 horses from the factory. As we step ahead in the SUV-trended automobile market, the Cadillac Escalade V is considered one of the fastest, bulkiest SUVs that you can buy right now.
However, if SUVs are not your thing, check out the 2023 Cadillac CT5 V Blackwing, which comes with the same engine and almost similar power figures, weighing about 70% of the Escalade V’s weight.
2023 Cadillac Escalade V | Specs |
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Price | $149,695 |
Powertrain | 6.2L Supercharged V8 |
Horsepower | 682 hp |
Torque | 653 lb-ft |
Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic |
0-60 mph | 4.3 seconds |
Top speed | 125 mph |
The Cadillac Escalade V comes with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 682 HP and 653 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 125 mph.
The 2023 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwin sedan is the successor of the Cadillac ATS V that we will talk about after this, and it also competes with German muscle sedans like the Audi RS5, BMW M3, and Mercedes-AMG C63.
There is a saying that driving a less powerful car faster is more enjoyable than driving a powerful car slow. Also, driving a less powerful car can teach you a lot more stuff than the monstrous sedans and SUVs that are on sale today. So if you need something softer yet more enjoyable than the Cadillac CT5 V Blackwing, then check out the 2023 CT4 V Blackwing.
It comes with fewer cylinders than the CT5 but is quite fun for your daily dose of adrenaline as well as your track requirements. The drivability, steering response, and chassis, everything is more than enough to put a smile on your face, and the amount of feedback you get from the car is amazing.
Right now, the 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing comes at a base price of $60,995, and it is quite a value-for-money deal when you compare it to its German competitors.
2023 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing | Specs |
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Price | $60,995 |
Powertrain | 3.6L Twin-Turbocharged V6 |
Horsepower | 472 hp |
Torque | 445 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual / 10-Speed Automatic |
0-60 mph | 3.9 seconds |
Top speed | 189+ mph |
The Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing comes with a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 472 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and reach a claimed top speed of over 189 mph.
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing sedan is capable of completing a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds with a claimed top speed of 200 mph. The CT5-V Blackwing currently holds the torch for being the fastest Cadillac. However, there are many new models on the way, which include different EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq as well.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | Specs |
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Price | $83,995 |
Powertrain | 6.2L supercharged V8 |
Horsepower | 668 hp |
Torque | 659 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
0-60 mph | 3.5 seconds |
Top speed | 205 mph |
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the ultimate performance king from Cadillac, which is currently on sale in the U.S. With a price tag of $83,995, the CT5-V Blackwing is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 monster. As standard, the CT5-V Blackwing offers 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. The transmission duties are managed by a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, while a 10-speed automatic is optional. You can find a 2023 Cadillac ct5-v v-series Blackwing for sale on our website.
As of now, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is considered the fastest Cadillac ever made. It has a supercharged V8 under the hood and competes with the likes of the BMW M5 Competition, Mercedes-Benz E63 S, and Audi RS7 Performance.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade V holds the record for being the highest horsepower production spec Cadillac to be ever sold. It has 682 horses from the supercharged V8 engine under the hood and even after weighing nearly 6500 lbs, it goes from 0 to 60 in just 4.3 seconds.
The XLR was a two-door droptop sportscar that is usually taken as a weekend ride but can also be used in your daily runs. However, if you wanted a powerful version of it, there was this Cadillac XLR V model that came with a supercharged V8 engine under the hood and did 0 to 60 in just over 4 seconds.
The 2023 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing is considered one of the fastest Cadillac models with a V6 engine. It goes from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of over 189 mph.
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