Pros: Technologically advanced powertrain is essentially unmatched among competitors; impressive materials and build quality
Cons: Steep pricing; finicky CUE touchscreen system; tight back-seat area with difficult entry and exit
CG Says: The Cadillac ELR skipped a model year and returns for 2016. The ELR gets a redesigned electric drive system and horsepower jumps from 157 to 233. Brakes, suspension, and steering have been retuned. Styling has also been tweaked with a revised grille. A new Performance Package includes sport suspension and summer performance tires. Cadillac’s CUE operating system now has a 4G hotspot and is Apple CarPlay compatible. Cadillac joined the electric-car fray with an extended-range electric vehicle that was based on the Chevrolet Volt. The ELR is a compact 2-door coupe with both electric and gas power. It shares its basic powertrain with the previous-generation Volt, but wears a unique 2-door body and a much more luxurious interior with additional upscale features. Even though Cadillac has lowered the price, ELR’s more glamorous design and posh trimmings come at a cost almost double the suggested price of a Volt: $65,000, versus a bit more than $33,000. The ELR has a roughly 39-mile range on electricity, another 300 on gas.
| Class | Compact Car |
| Body Style(s) | 2-door coupe |
| Passenger Count | 4 |
| Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Nation of Manufacture | USA |
| Base Prices | Base: $65,000 |
| Base Engine 1.4-liter 4-cylinder/electric |
| Horsepower 233 (total system power) |
| Std. Transmission single-speed |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA Combined Range (mpg) 80-85 MPGe; 30-32 (gas only) |
