What is the Cadillac XLR?
The Cadillac XLR is a two-seat luxury roadster with rear-wheel drive and a powered hardtop that folds away. With the roof raised, it has the look of a coupe; lower it and the car becomes an open-top cruiser. Its angular styling brought Cadillac’s design language to a more personal, driver-focused car.
Cadillac made one generation, from 2004 to 2009. The range included the XLR-V, a more powerful version with a supercharged engine. The XLR paired the comfort of a grand tourer with the freedom of a convertible.
Engines and power
The XLR used petrol V8 engines, with sizes from 4.4 L to 4.6 L across the markets shown. The XLR-V had a supercharged engine.
How economical is the Cadillac XLR?
Official figures vary by market because each uses its own test procedure. In the United States, the EPA gives the XLR a best combined rating of 18 MPG, or a lowest listed consumption of 13.1 L/100 km. Canada’s NRCan 5-cycle figure is 13 L/100 km. In the United Kingdom, the VCA’s NEDC figure is 12.3 L/100 km. NEDC, EPA and Canada’s 5-cycle results are not direct like-for-like comparisons.
Where was it sold?
Official figures cover the United States and Canada from 2004 to 2009, and the United Kingdom from 2006 to 2007. The XLR’s first generation ended in 2009.
Questions and answers
Was the Cadillac XLR a convertible?
Yes. It was a two-seat roadster with a powered retractable hardtop.
What engine did the XLR have?
It used petrol V8 engines from 4.4 L to 4.6 L. The XLR-V had a supercharged engine.
What is the XLR’s best official fuel economy figure?
The lowest listed consumption is 12.3 L/100 km under the UK VCA’s NEDC procedure. The best U.S. EPA combined rating is 18 MPG.