Cadillac XTS new CUE System Review

Posted on by

Cadillac CUE

Cadillac CUE

Cadillac CUE System Review

Cadillac has made portions of the CUE system available in its 2013 SRX crossover and ATS small sedan. But it’s in the all-new XTS, Cadillac’s top dog luxury sedan, that users get access to the full CUE experience. So we jumped into a pre-production model of the XTS and took it for a spin through the gridlocked canyons of midtown Manhattan to see how well Cadillac has managed to meld technology and torque.

CUE

To be sure, Cadillac has never been a slouch when it comes to bringing tech into its vehicles. However, with the XTS, this auto maker is moving way beyond the Ensure set to target a more tech savvy audience, one that feels right at home using the latest and greatest smartphones and tablets.

The XTS’s version of CUE is made up of two main displays, a customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen located above the center console. It’s through the touchscreen that users can access CUE’s audio, Pandora, OnStar, weather, navigation, phone, climate and settings apps. You can also connect up to 10 devices via Bluetooth.

Tapping the touchscreen produces a satisfying “thunk” from its haptic feedback motor, letting you know that you’ve selected an on-screen item. Cadillac is the first to offer this feature in an infotainment system. The Detroit automaker has also included proximity sensors located just below the touchscreen that automatically displays a series of command buttons when a user brings his hand up to the display. After a short period of inactivity, the buttons slowly fade out, helping to ensure that users aren’t constantly bombarded with too much information.

Running along the bottom of the display are five customizable buttons that can be set up to give users quick access to things such as radio stations, individual songs from their smartphones or points-of-interest. Need some Starbucks? Save it to one of the favorites buttons as a POI. Each time you tap the button it will automatically open CUE’s navigation system and display every Starbucks in the area.

Opposite the favorites buttons, at the top of the screen, sits CUE’s apps shortcut bar. To add an app to the list, simply long press its corresponding icon on the CUE home screen and drag it up to the apps bar.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS is an incredibly important vehicle launch for Cadillac. Not only is it the debut of a new auto, but several new technologies as well. Overall, we enjoyed our experience with this sedan. The CUE system is powerful and versatile, and the heads-up display is very well executed. Once you spend a bit of time learning the settings, navigating the XTS’ various menus and apps will become second nature. The vehicle’s safety features are top-notch, and its elegantly appointed interior, slick exterior and brawny V-6 engine combine to make a luxury car that should satisfy many drivers.