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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 18 / 27 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,200 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $29,440–$38,869 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2012 Cadillac CTS is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 7.9/10, while Reliability at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.2/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.6/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.9/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $29,440–$38,869, 12 MPG, seating 5, the Cadillac CTS sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2012 Cadillac CTS sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Cadillac CTS ranks #982 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 25% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $29,440 starting price is about 6% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the CTS model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $39,941 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $38,531 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $37,122 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $35,712 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $34,302 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.1/10 | $32,199 | Read review → |
| 2013 | 7.1/10 | $30,820 | Read review → |
| 2012 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $29,440 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Ignition 02/07/2014 · 14V394000 | This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Vacuum 02/11/2011 · 11V536000 | GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 21, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE POWER VACUUM BRAKE BOOST PUSHROD RETENTION NUT MAY NOT BE TORQUED TO THE PROPER… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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