2009 Cadillac CTS Review: Not the Best 2009 Luxury Sedan, but it’s Still a Cadillac

The 2009 Cadillac CTS is everything you want a Cadillac to be. It’s technically not as reliable or as functional as an Acura TL, which lists in the same price range, in the low $7,000s. But, if you always dreamed of driving a Cadillac, it won’t disappoint.

Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – Not the best mid-size sedan for 2009, or even the best for the price, but one of the best Caddies on the used market today.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – A living room on wheels, the CTS lives up to the Cadillac name.
• Reliability 7/10 – You won’t have too many mechanical issues before you hit 200,000 miles, but the car’s days are numbered after that.
• Safety 9/10 – Standard safety features are generous, and the car has a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – 18/26 miles to the gallon is about what you expect of a mid-size Cadillac from 2009.
• Value 7/10 – If you have a thing for Caddies, you can bump this up to an 8/10 for sentimental value. It’s not the best car in its class, but it’s an affordable, reliable Cadillac.

What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

Consumer Reports found the Cadillac CTS to handle well, and they found the ride to be “firm, yet compliant” owing to its well-tuned suspension. They had praise for the car’s interior trim quality and report the car to be fair competition for the Japanese and German cars leading the sports sedan market.

Kelley Blue Book found the CTS to be a return to form for the Cadillac brand, being the sportiest and most luxurious car the automaker had released in awhile. They had no major complaints about the car itself, but noted that the brand’s international competitors would be hard to top in 2009.

Edmunds found the 2009 Cadillac CTS to be one of the roomier cars in its class, with “capable and secure handling,” generous interior features and intuitive interior layout. They liked the available all wheel drive, too. They report that the car is not as nimble as some of its smaller Japanese competitors, and rear visibility is poor.

What Common Problems Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS Have?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS has generated 161 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around one third of these are for engine and powertrain problems, with drivers reporting the timing chain failing repeatedly.

26 electrical complaints and 12 airbag complaints point to issues with the airbag warning lights staying on. A recall was issued in 2008 for problems with the passenger sensing system, but complaints persist as late as 2023.

A handful of structure complaints see drivers experiencing issues like leaking door gaskets letting rain water into the car, and, in some instances, the sun roof popping right out of the car and into traffic.

The 2009 Cadillac CTS has been recalled 5 times in total, which is average for a vehicle this old.

How Long Will the 2009 Cadillac CTS Last?

With regular maintenance, drivers generally report the 2009 CTS lasting around 200,000 miles before the expensive repairs start to stack up. Some drivers have reported twice that many miles, but others have reported half as many.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $632, which is fair for a 2009 sedan, and low for a luxury car. New clutches make up the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $1,642.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2009 CTS is fairly basic. You get a CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers, and that’s pretty much it.

Safety tech in the 2009 Cadillac CTS is decent. Anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak come standard.

Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS a Good Value?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS is priced fairly. A CTS sedan lists for around $7,001, which is around the median for a car in this size class and this model year. Cost of ownership is reasonable, with basic maintenance costs being low and the car being fairly fuel efficient.

The only concern is longevity. At the prices listed above, you can expect to find 130,000 miles on the odometer, which leaves you with another 70,000 miles to go. The CTS is only expected to last around 200,000 miles, so make sure to shop around for low mileage.

What are the Different Models of the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS is offered in rear or all wheel drive, in a single trim level. There is also a Cadillac CTS-V, but this is a premium sports car that is based on the CTS, but sold and marketed as a separate model. Standard features in the CTS include:

• 8-way power adjust driver seat
• Leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls
• CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers
• Anti-lock brakes, traction control, and StabiliTrak
• Remote keyless entry Heated mirrors

What Engines Come In the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

• The 2009 Cadillac CTS packs a 3.6L V6 delivering 304 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and it averages 17/26 miles to the gallon in all wheel drive, or 18/26 in rear wheel drive.

What Colors Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS lives up to the Cadillac name when it comes to comfort. Seating stretches a decent 54 inches across at the hip, trim quality is good, and the suspension is firm without being rigid.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS Have?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS packs 13.6 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk. This will hold around four or five medium suitcases.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2009 was the second model year for the 2nd Generation of the Cadillac CTS, which ran from 2008 to 2014.

2007: The first generation CTS ran on a variety of engines, eventually settling on a 2.8L V6 at the entry level in the final years.

2008: A new engine cooling system and a more Caddilac-ish body design marked the arrival of the 2nd Gen CTS.

2009: Steering and braking were improved for 2009.

2010: The air filtration system was improved for 2010.

2011: No big changes for 2011.

How Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS Compare to the Competition?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS isn’t the best in its class, or even the best for its price, by any stretch. But it is a Cadillac.

A 2009 Acura TL offers comparable performance and tends to last around a thousand miles longer for about the same price. It’s basically the same story with the Lexus ES: Same performance, longer life expectancy, although the ES typically starts at around $9,000, a couple thousand dollars more than a CTS.

The CTS still gets a decent recommendation, though. On paper, the Acura TL is the better car. In practice, it’s not a Cadillac. There’s a certain charm to a big, American-made luxury sedan with sofa-like seating and a living-room-like interior. The Acura TL is the smartest choice of these three, but the CTS is the best deal you’re going to find on a 2009 Caddie.

Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Cadillac CTS?