Local prices, engine specs, performance, fuel economy data, reliability and safety listings for every car
sold in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait!
The BLS offers all the looks of a Cadillac CTS, with all the driving dynamics of a Saab 9-3, on which is is based. Built on GM's corporate front-wheel-drive platform, the BLS is an entry-level model with three turbo engines taken straight
from Saab. There are two 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engines that can be mated to a five-speed
automatic transmission. The top engine is a 2.8-litre V6 turbo. Built in
Europe to somehow compete with German sports sedans, the usual power features
are all there, as are six airbags and stability control features. The base
model is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control,
electric windows and door mirrors, a seven speaker CD system with MP3 inlet, and
wheel-mounted controls for the cruise controls and stereo. Additional features include
17-inch or 18-inch alloys, fog lights and rain sensing wipers, leather trim, dual zone
climate control, electric adjustment for driver and front passenger seats, a
Bose stereo system with nine speakers and a six-CD changer, auto dimming
rearview mirrors inside and out and rear parking sensors.
Competitors:
Alfa Romeo 166
Lexus ES 350
Volvo S60
Price Range
Dhs 103000 - 130000 (US$ 28000 -
35300)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1460 -
1500
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
2.0TC I4 FWD
2.0TC I4 FWD
2.8TC V6 FWD
5A
5A
6A
175
210
255
264
299
349
8.9
9.1
10.8
9.7
8.8
7.5
219
230
245
Good
Unique
looks, fair cabin space, build quality
Bad
Handling
at the limit, confused origins
Cadillac CTS
The new-for-2008 CTS receives a major update that features a redesigned exterior, a finer interior and available all-wheel drive for the first time. Powering the CTS will be the carryover 3.6-litre V6 engine or a new higher-output 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 with variable valve timing. A new 6-speed automatic transmission joins the 6-speed manual, and while all cars are rear-wheel-drive, an all-wheel-drive system is optional. Sitting on a wider stance, the exterior is characterized by a larger chrome-trimmed grille, vertical-shaped headlights and vertical taillights, signature LED lighting and a smoother look. Inside, the interior is more luxurious and adds more technological features including a DVD-based navigation with telescoping touch-screen, Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system, front and side-curtain airbags, leather trim, adaptive HID headlights, an Easy Key system with Smart Remote Start,
17-inch or 18-inch alloy rims, Bluetooth, and an optional panoramic sunroof. For maximum comfort, heated and ventilated seats is fitted with new “thin-seat” technology and rear-seat leg, knee and foot room has been enhanced.
Competitors:
BMW 3-Series
Infiniti G35
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Price Range
Dhs 121000 - 156000 (US$
33000 - 42500)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1751 -
1860
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
2.8 V6 RWD
3.6 V6 RWD/AWD 3.6 V6 RWD/AWD
6M/6A
6M/6A 6M/6A
210
258 304
263
342 370
11.2-11.7
10.7-11.5 10.9-11.5
8.6-9.0
6.6-7.1 6.3-6.8
208*
208* 208*
Good
Unique
looks, powerful engines, great handling
Bad
No
Bluetooth option, tight rear-door entry, rear visibility
Cadillac DTS
The DTS is the new name for the Deville. The change is mostly to bring it in line with the company’s new policy of naming its car models with letters. The DTS is the only remaining front-wheel-drive car in Cadillac’s fleet. It comes in a single line that is stepped up with available options, such as Xenon headlamps, LED taillamps, six standard airbags including a dual-depth front passenger airbag, a factory-installed remote start with personalization feature, and an in-dash, six-CD changer with MP3 player. The DTS comes with a 275 hp Northstar V8 engine that can be optioned up to a version that makes 291 hp. A four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission is the sole choice. Features on the DTS include dual-firmness seats, four-channel anti-lock brakes with traction control, StabiliTrak and brake assist, Magnetic Ride Control, 17-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, heated windshield washer nozzles, power folding outside mirrors, and front and rear park assist. In the face of its sportier siblings, the DTS seems stodgy, but it’s still powerful, and extremely comfortable. Not being rear-wheel-drive hinders it from being a true luxury contender.
Competitors:
Infiniti Q45
Lincoln Town Car
Chrysler 300C
Price Range
Dhs 165000 - 191000 (US$ 45000 - 51800)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1818
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
4.6 V8 FWD 4.6 V8 FWD
4A 4A
275 291
406 386
10.8 11.0
7.5 7.2
208* 208*
Good
Interior room, ride, power
Bad
Handling, outdated chassis
Cadillac Escalade / ESV / EXT
The Escalade is all-new for 2007, but still based on the latest version of the Chevrolet Tahoe. The King of Bling is back, bigger, gaudier, more powerful and more fuel efficient than before. Available in either standard five-door 4WD body, ESV long-wheelbase 4WD body or a retarded EXT long-wheelbase 4WD pick-up body, the Escalade ups the ante when it comes to showing off on the streets. The Escalade boasts a massive grille, tighter panel gaps, and a more streamlined exterior, which enables it to get better fuel mileage despite having a more powerful, 6.2-litre V8 engine that makes 403 hp and a whopping 565 Nm of torque. The Escalade models come with standard 18-inch wheels and tyres, but buyers can opt for 22-inchers. Stability control is standard and now incorporates a program to help avoid rollovers, while front side air bags are standard and a full-length head curtain system is available. Other features include automatic dual-zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals, leather and wood steering wheel with audio controls, leather interior, 14-way power seats, six-CD/cassette stereo with nine speakers and rear-seat audio controls, four ventilated brake discs, speed-sensitive steering, automatic rear level control system, and rear parking assist. All off-roading equipment from the Chevy version has been stripped out in this one.
Competitors:
Range Rover
Lincoln Navigator
Lexus LX470
Price Range
Dhs 238500 - 255700 (US$
64850 - 69500)
Body Styles
5-door wagon, 5-door long wagon, 4-door long pickup
Weight (kg)
2512 - 2637
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
6.2 V8 4WD
6A
403
565
17.0
6.3-7.0
170*
Good
Flashy looks, power, interior room
Bad
Fuel economy, size, off-road ability
Cadillac SRX
The Cadillac SRX aims more for road-going luxury than any sort of off-roading ability. There’s a standard power rear liftgate, reduced step-over for easy exiting, stylish 17-inch and 18-inch wheels and an enhanced optional wood package, all of which signify its intentions. Bigger than a wagon but not quite a 4WD, the SRX is one of the rare vehicles that truly deserves the “crossover” designation. It uses GM’s Sigma platform serving the Cadillac CTS. Engine choices are a 3.6-litre V6 and a 4.6-litre Northstar V8, both of which use a five-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Both engine sizes can be optioned up to all-wheel-drive. Standard features include fog lights, heated mirrors, roof rack side rails, rear wiper/washer, 17-inch painted aluminium wheels, automatic dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped wheel with controls for audio and voice recognition systems, express up/down on all windows, leather interior, eight-way power driver’s seat, 60/40 folding rear seat, CD player with seven speakers, automatic headlamps, and rear parking assist. The V8 model adds driver’s side auto-dimming exterior mirror, 18-inch aluminum wheels, CD changer and more. The SRX handles like a car rather than a lumpy 4WD, and the optional Magnetic Ride Control, which automatically adjusts the shocks to compensate for any road imperfections, makes it even smoother on the roads, where it belongs.
An all-new model released back in 2005, the Cadillac STS gets a major interior and exterior facelift for 2008. Changes for the latest model on regular STS models an upgraded 3.6-litre V6 engine. Engine choices also include the carryover 4.6-litre Northstar V8 and the 4.4-litre supercharged V8, the latter of which is reserved for the sporting STS-V. All engines hook up to a new six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive is optional in the non-V models. The STS also comes with Magnetic Ride Control and StabiliTrak stability program. All STS models contain all the expected luxuries, such as dual projector beam headlights, 17-inch or 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control, leather power seats, CD/MP3 player, rear parking assist, and a starter button. New technological features in the 2008 STS, available in some markets, include active steering technology in the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, a Lane Department Warning System and Size Blind Zone Alert System. A Chinese-built long-wheelbase version of the rear-wheel-drive car, dubbed the SLS, is also available in Middle East markets.
Competitors:
Infiniti Q45
BMW 5-Series
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Price Range
Dhs 162000 - 250000 (US$ 44000 - 67800)
Body Styles
4-door sedan, 4-door long sedan
Weight (kg)
1750 -
1997
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
3.6 V6 RWD/4WD 4.6 V8 RWD/4WD 4.4SC V8 RWD
6A 6A 6A
302 320 469
368 459 595
10.9 12.0-13.4
13.4
7.6-8.6 6.3-7.3 5.1
200* 248* 248*
Good
Unique looks, power, handling, price
Bad
Interior legroom, small fuel tank
Cadillac XLR
The XLR roadster is the flagship sports car of the Cadillac
range. The newest variant is the supercharged XLR-V. The most expensive offering in the Cadillac lineup is based on the Chevrolet Corvette C6 platform, only shorter, narrower, and taller in height. Standard XLR models use a 4.6-litre Northstar V8 engine with a
5-speed automatic in older models, and a 6-speed in newer models built after
2007. The XLR-V uses a 4.4-litre Northstar engine with a positive displacement intercooled
supercharger, mated to the all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. Chassis modifications include larger brakes, recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control, larger front stabilizer bar and an additional rear one, stiffer rear lower control arm bushings, larger wheels and tyres, a power steering fluid cooler, and a higher-capacity fuel pump. The lightweight roof, made of composite panels, retracts in less than thirty seconds at the push of a button. Features include
adaptive Xenon headlights with washers, LED taillights, rear parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, head-up display (HUD), tyre pressure monitoring system, DVD-based navigation system, Bose six-CD stereo, Magnasteer
speed-sensitive variable-assist steering, Magnetic Ride Control, and a keyless
access system.
