Name: 2016 Cadillac ELR
Brand: Cadillac

Cadillac ELR

EPA MPG: 44 mpg

Cadillac ELR First Drive

Summary

Introduction

2016 Cadillac ELR Cadillac's previous generation Chevrolet Volt semi-electric car

Overview

It's hard to define the Cadillac ELR. The rich brother of the previous generation Chevrolet Volt semi-electric car, the ELR applies the same basic technology to a rakish luxury coupe. While the concept is compelling, the end result just doesn't add up to the heady sticker price.

Like the first generation Volt, the ELR recharges from the wall and will go up to 40 miles on battery power, and it has a small 84-hp gas engine to generate the electric drive for longer trips. The ELR also uses the old Volt's 17.1-kWh lithium battery pack. It takes five hours to recharge. The gas engine adds another 300 miles of range.

That brings us to the price. Cadillac originally set the base price of the ELR at $75,000, it has since lowered it to $65,000 before the $7,500 for a federal tax credit. That's $25,000 more than the new Volt which is much more technologically advanced. And for that kind of scratch, you could buy several other environmentally conscious alternatives such as a plug-in hybrid from Mercedes-Benz or a very nice Lexus RX450h hybrid. So the ELR begs the question, who will buy this car?

Impressions

The Volt is now in its second generation and much improved with a longer electric range and better ride, handling and noise isolation. Does that weaken the case for the already shaky proposition of the ELR? You bet.

With a sleek-looking coupe silhouette and a gorgeous interior it may not matter that the ELR is cramped, not very quick and is plagued by the CUE infotainment system.

Don't get us wrong. The ELR is very nice. You can barely hear the gas engine when it comes on. The steering is tight and responsive, although saying it's as agile as the rear-wheel-drive ATS or CTS would be wrong. The interior is beautifully finished and sumptuous.

But, ultimately, driving the ELR feels rather ordinary. It lacks the zip one might expect from a high-priced coupe. Being a rolling sculpture, visibility is downright awful.