For those committed to electric driving, especially with the benefit of workplace charging, the allure of an all-electric vehicle is strong. Like many in California, the HOV lane access for single-occupant electric cars is a significant time-saver. My journey to find a suitable electric vehicle that qualified for HOV lane stickers and rebates led me through a range of options before I landed on the 2016 Cadillac Elr. This isn’t just a simple car review; it’s a deep dive into the experience of living with a 2016 Cadillac ELR for a year and covering 25,000 miles.
My initial search included a variety of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The Prius Plug-in, while an option, felt like a compliance car, struggling to maintain electric-only driving above 40mph and offering a disappointing electric range that barely touched its estimated 11 miles in real-world conditions. The driving experience was lackluster, akin to driving a “lunch box.” The Honda Accord Plug-in was a more substantial car, yet it seemed overpriced for its somewhat basic and uninspiring feel, only a marginal upgrade from the Prius.
The Ford Fusion Plug-in emerged as a strong contender, possibly my favorite among the initial group. Packed with features and near self-driving capabilities on highways, my primary concern revolved around its dual drivetrain complexity and reduced trunk space. The Ford C-Max Plug-in, while better than the Prius, lacked style and felt like an econobox, making the Fusion a preferable choice with similar electric range.
Venturing into more unique territory, the BMW i3 Rex presented itself as a futuristic and polarizing design. While the driving dynamics were impressive, being essentially all-electric, the price escalated rapidly with desired self-driving features and a larger screen. The range extender engine seemed more of a backup than a reliable long-distance solution.
The Chevy Volt impressed me with its well-rounded eco-design and practicality, but it carried a somewhat “dad car” vibe. Despite being arguably the best on paper, particularly regarding its drivetrain, it lacked a certain passion.
During my research, I uncovered crucial details about electric vehicle incentives. While the $7,500 federal tax credit applied broadly to all-electric cars, plug-in hybrid rebates were battery-size dependent. The Chevy Volt secured the full $7,500, the Fusion a respectable $4,400, and the Prius a mere $2,500. Furthermore, not all rebate-eligible cars qualified for California HOV stickers, exemplified by Porsche plug-in hybrids.
Discovering that the Volt had a luxurious sibling, the Cadillac ELR, piqued my interest. Further investigation revealed attractive rebates on the ELR, positioning it at a price point just slightly above a fully equipped Volt. With no children in my immediate plans and the ELR boasting the longest electric range among plug-ins at the time, the decision was made. The 2016 Cadillac ELR became my choice.
TL;DR: The Chevy Volt and Ford Fusion were strong contenders, but rebate structures and the allure of luxury led to choosing the Cadillac ELR for its extended range and premium features.
WineryELR
Image: The sleek silhouette of a 2016 Cadillac ELR parked at a winery, showcasing its elegant design in a picturesque setting.
ELR Ownership Experience: Luxury and Art on Wheels
Initially, I considered a review shortly after purchase, but a year and 25,000 miles of real-world driving provides a much richer perspective. Primarily used for commuting and occasional road trips, the 2016 Cadillac ELR has been thoroughly tested as my daily driver. From the outset, it’s clear this is a luxury vehicle, a fact I embraced and have thoroughly enjoyed throughout my ownership. Opting for nearly every available package, excluding only the Kona seats which felt out of sync with the interior aesthetic, I aimed for a fully loaded experience.
The 2016 Cadillac ELR exudes attention to detail and embodies over a century of automotive innovation. The hidden door handles on the expansive coupe doors create a sense of entering a futuristic art piece. Sinking into the plush seats and closing the door initiates the CUE system’s sci-fi-inspired boot sequence. The steering wheel’s tactile design, the expansive screens, and the sweeping material choices immediately stand out. The cabin cocoons you in a curated blend of suede, leather, carbon fiber, and wood. The absence of traditional dials contributes to a modern, uncluttered feel (more on CUE later). However, the familiar gear shifter knob provides a touch of traditional design and comfortable ergonomics, despite its limited use in a single-speed electric vehicle.
There’s a saying: “If you don’t look back at your car after you park it, you bought the wrong car.” The 2016 Cadillac ELR is automotive art, a design that evokes strong reactions, both positive and negative. Its edgy, sharp, contoured lines are distinctly American. As a proud American, supporting domestic industry and innovation is a bonus. The taillights subtly nod to the iconic fins of 1950s Cadillacs, while the LED-trimmed headlights add a modern touch. Resembling a Batmobile, much like the CTS-V coupe, the ELR stands alone as the only Cadillac with 20-inch wheels, enhancing its striking appearance. The remarkably low roofline, surprisingly accommodating even for my 6’1” frame, contributes to the sleek profile. While the thick A-pillar supports and small triangular windows slightly compromise visibility, they are necessary for achieving the car’s aesthetic. Rear visibility is ample, but significant blind spots are effectively managed by the blind spot monitoring system. The rearview mirror itself is minimalist, robust, and a noticeable upgrade from standard mirrors.
Rear seating in the 2016 Cadillac ELR is best suited for passengers under 5’6”, though legroom is sufficient even behind the driver’s seat. The rear features luxurious captain’s chairs, mirroring the front seats in leather quality, but the low roofline and substantial front seats can create a somewhat confined feeling. Rear occupants get their own cupholder (non-automatic) and a soft center armrest. While functional in a pinch and comfortable for smaller passengers, extended road trips in the back are not ideal. Car seat installation is possible but challenging in a coupe configuration.
TL;DR: The 2016 Cadillac ELR prioritizes luxury and design, particularly for front passengers. It’s an automotive masterpiece both inside and out, though rear passenger space is limited.
Voltec Drivetrain: Electric Excellence in Daily Driving
The 2016 Cadillac ELR truly shines in urban and commuting environments. The electric driving experience is everything one expects – a dream. The increased power from the enhanced motor compared to the Volt provides ample acceleration from a standstill and effortless highway speeds. Instant torque is characteristic of electric vehicles, making the ELR feel quicker than its specifications suggest. In all-electric mode, the drive is predictable, silent, and smooth. Designed for luxury, the Voltec drivetrain eliminates torque steer even under hard acceleration, and the car’s substantial weight contributes to a cushioned yet controlled ride. When the gasoline engine engages, it’s barely audible, engineered for seamless, on-demand power delivery, quietly assisting at highway speeds.
However, in city driving, the Voltec system operates somewhat like a Prius, utilizing battery power initially and then transitioning to gasoline. This transition can be less refined. Stopping at a traffic light might reveal the gasoline engine compensating for the initial electric acceleration, and the engine’s sound is not what one expects from a luxury car with an original $80,000 price tag. While the ELR’s noise cancellation largely masks the engine noise inside the cabin, this less-than-premium sound is noticeable to bystanders, slightly detracting from the overall impression of this automotive artwork.
EPA estimates of 37 miles electric range and 340 miles total range are remarkably accurate. In my 45-mile highway commute at 75 mph, I consistently achieve around 35 miles of electric range, a figure that remains stable across seasons in California’s mild climate. Around town, I’ve even extended the electric range to 46 miles. For road trips, a full tank yields approximately 300 miles. A trip to Santa Barbara, roughly 340 miles, was completed on a single full charge and tank, arriving with minimal fuel reserves at a consistent 70-75 mph. The journey was quiet and effortless, thanks to the adaptive cruise control.
A stress test during a summer trip to San Diego on the notoriously fast Highway 5 pushed the system further. On this flat, high-speed corridor, maintaining 90 mph is often necessary to keep pace. Activating “mountain mode” to build battery reserve for the Grapevine climb into LA, in 110-degree heat with the air conditioning running at 90 mph, challenged the system. While electricity generation was slower than usual under these extreme conditions, the 2016 Cadillac ELR performed admirably without overheating warnings.
TL;DR: The Voltec drivetrain in the 2016 Cadillac ELR is robust and delivers an excellent electric driving experience. Range anxiety is minimal, and the system handles demanding conditions effectively.
Lighting
Image: Close-up of the 2016 Cadillac ELR’s distinctive headlight, emphasizing its sharp lines and modern LED lighting design.
Sport Mode: Dual Personalities
The 2016 Cadillac ELR‘s sport mode presents two distinct driving experiences. Throttle response sharpens, sacrificing the Cadillac’s typical smooth tip-in for immediate power delivery. Sport mode enhances the sensation of speed, though the 0-60 mph time remains in the 8-second range, similar to a Honda Fit. Interestingly, when the battery is depleted, the gasoline engine and electric motor work in tandem, creating a sensation akin to turbo lag but ultimately shaving about a second off the 0-60 mph sprint. Engaging the engine preemptively using “hold” or “mountain mode” sacrifices the adaptive suspension benefits. The adaptive suspension significantly enhances the ride, offering responsive, tight, and precise steering. While not track-ready, it adds a layer of driving enjoyment to the ELR.
TL;DR: Sport mode in the 2016 Cadillac ELR enhances throttle response and handling with adaptive suspension, but it doesn’t transform the car into a true sports car.
Gadgets and Technology: A Mixed Bag of Innovation
The 2016 Cadillac ELR is brimming with technology. While some might echo my father’s skepticism – “just more things to break” – I personally appreciate and enjoy these features. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:
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Adaptive Cruise Control: This is the standout feature, especially for highway commutes. The car effectively drives itself, even to a complete stop. Resuming operation after a full stop is as simple as a tap of the accelerator. The system adeptly tracks curves, manages lane changes, and reacts to vehicles entering your lane. Automatic braking engages for battery regeneration, with manual braking required for harder stops. The system’s 370-foot range is impressive. Cadillac cleverly integrates the radar behind the plastic (non-metallic) crest badge, maintaining a clean front fascia. The only issue encountered was snow accumulation on the radar cone during a Tahoe trip, temporarily disabling the feature.
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Regen on Demand: A fun and efficient feature for one-pedal driving. Inspired by the 2016 Volt and BMW’s systems, it engages strong regenerative braking via a steering wheel paddle. Cadillac’s implementation is refined, offering gradual deceleration rather than abrupt downshifts, maximizing efficiency and adding driving enjoyment.
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Rain Sense Wipers: Highly accurate and responsive, adapting wiper speed perfectly to drizzle, downpour, or snow.
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Lane Change Alert: Less useful, often more annoying than helpful. Lane drift is usually noticeable without the alert. Lacking steering correction features found in Ford Fusion or Tesla Autopilot. Newer Volts offer “lane change assist” with correction.
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Intelligent Headlights: Decent but not exceptional. Automatically dim high beams for oncoming traffic or when approaching vehicles. High beam activation threshold could be slightly more sensitive in dusk conditions.
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Rear Cross Traffic Alert & Parking Assist: Highly valuable in tight parking situations, confidently backing out between large vehicles. Front and rear ultrasonic sensors with center cluster display are helpful.
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Electronic Cupholder: Stylistically appealing and adds to the modern electric car vibe, though functionally unnecessary. The button-operated, handle-less glove compartment contributes to the clean, modern aesthetic, requiring manual closure. The metallic cupholders, while appearing capable of heating or cooling, sadly lack these functions.
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Hidden Compartment: Cleverly concealed behind the CUE system, perfectly fits an iPhone 6 Plus (without case) and charging cable. Seamless CUE integration minimizes phone use while driving, keeping the cabin uncluttered and enabling high-quality digital audio playback.
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Power Start-Up Sound: A subtle yet appreciated touch, providing auditory confirmation of the car’s power state in its otherwise silent operation. Still enjoyable after a year of ownership.
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Interior Door Handles: A source of amusement for first-time passengers. The button-operated door release adds to the futuristic feel. An emergency pull cord at the seat base ensures egress in power loss situations.
TL;DR: Adaptive cruise control and rain-sensing wipers are exceptionally useful. Other gadgets range from mediocre to impressive, collectively enhancing the 2016 Cadillac ELR’s modern feel.
Cadillac User Experience (CUE): Nuances and Real-World Usability
Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system has faced criticism for being slow, inconsistent, and difficult to use while driving. While these critiques have merit, my experience with CUE in the 2016 Cadillac ELR has been largely positive.
For daily use, CUE is aesthetically pleasing and well-designed. The button-less, knob-less interface looks sophisticated when both on and off, and the capacitive touch controls are responsive. Proximity sensors that switch to a minimalist display when not actively used are a thoughtful touch. However, navigating deeper menus, like GPS address entry, can be frustrating due to inconsistent button placement (back, submit, search, go), requiring a hunt for the desired function. Fortunately, these deeper menus are rarely accessed while driving. The energy flow display is visually polished and superior to systems in Ford and Prius models. The primary weakness of CUE is the GPS, with outdated and visually unappealing graphics.
The absence of physical buttons necessitates looking at the screen for interaction. On bumpy roads, this can lead to missed touches or unintended actions. Combined with occasional sluggish response times, frustration can arise. However, most frequently used functions can be controlled via the steering wheel. My experience differs from rental cars with CUE due to the ELR’s sloping center console. This design provides a perfect armrest anchor point, enabling precise CUE interaction. Passengers also benefit from this stable armrest.
CUE can be slow, particularly in GPS and complex screens. Having experience with Tesla, Ford, Mercedes, and BMW systems, Tesla is clearly the infotainment leader, with the rest of the industry lagging. Cadillac is now separating infotainment development from the broader vehicle design cycle, aiming for more contemporary systems upon release. German manufacturers (BMW iDrive, Audi MMI, Mercedes MBUX) offer strong media interfaces (radio, USB, XM). Ford’s MySync, tablet-inspired, is popular and features the best GPS visuals. CUE’s built-in voice control is slow and nearly unusable, accurate only for basic phone calls, not for navigation input. Fortunately, a home screen button provides access to Siri or Google Assistant, though steering wheel button mapping would be preferable.
CUE’s smartphone integration via OnStar is a standout feature. Remote start/stop/lock/unlock is invaluable for pre-conditioning the cabin while plugged in, maximizing electric range. The killer feature is smartphone-to-car destination sending. Looking up destinations on a smartphone is common practice, and seamlessly sending directions to CUE is highly convenient. Charge status and car location features are also useful. The only issue is intermittent push notification problems, a reported issue among other users, hopefully addressed in future updates, potentially with Apple Watch support like Ford and Tesla offer.
Underrated CUE features include universal favorites and radio rewind. Universal favorites allow storing GPS locations, phone numbers, XM, AM, FM, and USB favorites on a single favorites bar, streamlining access. Radio rewind buffers 30 minutes of live radio, enabling pausing for calls and resuming playback, even marking song changes for skipping.
TL;DR: CUE in the 2016 Cadillac ELR is more user-friendly due to the interior design, offering an armrest anchor point for stable interaction. Despite some slowness and GPS shortcomings, the aesthetics and smartphone integration are strong points.
Why Not a Tesla Model S? The ELR vs. Tesla Debate
Comparing the 2016 Cadillac ELR to the Tesla Model S is inevitable. During my car search, I test drove a used 2013 Tesla Model S P85 (pre-dual motor and major refresh). Autopilot was newly announced and required new purchases of 60, 85, or P85+ models. GM offered substantial ELR discounts, making a similarly equipped Tesla (used 85 or P85, or entry-level 60) comparably priced. A fully loaded ELR with rebates was actually less expensive than a Tesla Model S 60 with Autopilot. Used Model S vehicles didn’t qualify for rebates, requiring a significant price reduction to match a new ELR. However, in this price range, factors beyond cost weigh heavily.
The Tesla Model S test drive was impressive. Its popularity is understandable. The P85 felt responsive, planted, spacious, and technologically advanced – a software engineer’s take on automotive design. This fresh approach has pros and cons. The flat floor is a major plus, enhancing rear middle seat comfort. However, basic features like cupholders were initially overlooked (addressed in later models, but initially a paid upgrade). The windshield’s metallic glare-reducing coating blocked some toll tags. Early Model S door handles had a tendency to malfunction. While innovative, these quirks highlighted the value of over a century of traditional automotive engineering.
While the driving dynamics were excellent, some aspects of the $80,000 Tesla felt lacking. Seat quality (both standard and performance) was subpar. The aesthetically pleasing steering wheel lacked tactile appeal. Even the car-shaped key felt flimsy. The media system, however, was exceptional – responsive, crisp, and beautiful. The need for in-car web browsing is debatable, but the capability was there.
The Tesla Model S’s Achilles’ heel, for my needs, was its all-electric nature. In my current situation with reliable charging access and Supercharger network availability, a Tesla would be ideal. However, as my only vehicle and with potential relocation in my future (US or international), committing to all-electric felt limiting. While the Model S surpassed my previous all-electric experience and would cover 99.9% of my needs, the remaining 0.1% caused concern for a 5-10 year vehicle commitment. Uncertainty about future charging access or Supercharger availability made the 2016 Cadillac ELR, with its gasoline range extender, a more flexible and reassuring choice.
TL;DR: The Tesla Model S represents a software-driven automotive revolution, largely positive. However, the 2016 Cadillac ELR’s gasoline engine offers crucial flexibility and peace of mind as a single vehicle, especially with variable life circumstances.
Summary: The 2016 Cadillac ELR – A Masterful Machine Undervalued
The 2016 Cadillac ELR is an exceptional vehicle, unfortunately positioned in the market somewhat awkwardly between the Volt and Tesla, and perhaps released in the wrong sequence after the Volt. This masterfully engineered and beautifully designed machine has been a source of immense satisfaction. It’s an ideal car for the eco-conscious individual, particularly appealing to a younger demographic, though its original price point was a barrier for many. Overall, Cadillac created a fantastic, albeit underappreciated, vehicle in the 2016 Cadillac ELR.
Tailight
Image: Rear view of a 2016 Cadillac ELR taillight, highlighting its unique and elegant vertical design reminiscent of classic Cadillac fins.
