2016 Cadillac CTS — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Cadillac CTS is a saloon/sedan offered with 4 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) / 25 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 20–30 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Cadillac CTS workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Cadillac CTS: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 30 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl turbo · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 97 cu ft (2,747 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 13 cu ft (368 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 30 combined / 25 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 25 combined / 21 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 224 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2016 Cadillac CTS across 4 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged). Combined fuel economy ranges from 17 to 25 mpg (US), or 20 to 30 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/29) | 231 | $3,400 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (21/30) | 224 | $3,300 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/27) | 248 | $3,050 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (20/29) | 235 | $2,800 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/24) | 293 | $4,350 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (14/21) | 331 | $4,850 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 97 cubic feet (about 2,747 litres) and luggage volume at 13 cubic feet (about 368 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Cadillac CTS
Running Costs: 2016 Cadillac CTS
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Cadillac CTS at 30 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,212 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Cadillac CTS Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Cadillac CTS (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Steering (2), Air bags (1), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 26V329000, reported 21 May 2026. Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Steering — campaign 25V175000, reported 20 March 2025. Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Steering — campaign 19V086000, reported 7 February 2019. Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Seats — campaign 18V595000, reported 7 September 2018. Risk: In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the…
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac CTS. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (10), Power train (9), Steering (4). Complaints include 1 reported fire, 1 reported injury. That is close to the median of 40 complaints across the 10 Cadillac CTS model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Cadillac CTS
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Steering (2 recall campaigns · 4 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Electrical system (10 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (9 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Air bags (1 recall campaign) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Cadillac models in our database average about 27 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Cadillac CTS's 30 mpg is 3 mpg above that make average. Its 224 g/km CO₂ figure is 24 g/km lower than the 248 g/km Cadillac average.
Of the 10 Cadillac CTS model years we cover, the 2016 is the most economical on its best configuration (30 mpg UK combined). See every Cadillac CTS year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Cadillac CTS
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
EPA lists 4 engines for the 2016 Cadillac CTS: 2L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2L 4-cyl turbo with a automatic (s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
The most efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, or 25 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 20 to 30 mpg.
How much does the 2016 Cadillac CTS cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Cadillac CTS (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Steering (2), Air bags (1), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Cadillac CTS?
Among the 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (10 complaints), Power train (9 complaints), Steering (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2016 Cadillac CTS have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 97 cubic feet (about 2,747 litres) and luggage volume at 13 cubic feet (about 368 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.