By Kyle Francis
In 2026, Cadillac has built up a reputation for being able to perfectly execute the careful blending of luxury and tire-melting performance in one graciously styled package, as illustrated by the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing. It's even a big player in contemporary motor racing, with the marque taking on global sports car racing with its V-Series.R prototype, while it will embark on its first season of Formula 1 in 2026. It has done well to shake off its image of supplying cars to aging motorists who wanted something comfortable to cruise to the shops in, though it's taken a good couple of decades to do so.
Supercharging remains one of its key methods for extracting power from its performance models, but you'll have to cough up well over $100k to get one. Luckily, the used market offers an excellent way to get one for a much smaller outlay.
The STS-V Was The First Supercharged Cadillac
Cadillac went hard in trying to change its public perception in the early 2000s, and primarily by introducing a range of new performance models. The first of these was the 2004 CTS-V, which used a naturally aspirated LS6 V8 borrowed from a Corvette. Around the same time, it was taking on Le Mans with a Northstar V8-powered prototype racer, and it went a step further in 2005. This time, it was the mid-size STS that got the upgrade treatment, with the vehicle being gifted a supercharged 4.4-liter Northstar V8. The powerplant was the first supercharged Cadillac engine ever constructed, making the STS-V the first supercharged Cadillac ever when it was unleashed in 2005.
| 2005-2009 Cadillac STS-V | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4L supercharged V8 |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Auto |
| Power | 469 hp |
| Torque | 439 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 4.6 seconds |
| Average Used Value | $16,595 |
The engine was notable due to only being included in the STS-V and its coupe sibling, the XLR-V. It wasn't simply a supercharged version of an existing engine either, as the 4.4-liter unit had a unique displacement compared to other Northstar units, which came as the result of a new aluminum engine block. The bore was reduced slightly when compared to the existing 4.6-liter engine in the name of reliability, given that the planned supercharger would force the powerplant to work harder.
The STS-V Ended Up Being Particularly Rare
The STS-V and XLR-V were developed along a similar timeline, but the former reached dealers first towards the end of 2005. It didn't last long though, as Cadillac's largest performance offering was discontinued due to poor sales in 2009. Just 2,440 examples of the car were ever produced, making it extremely rare.
The STS-Vs Exclusivity Hasn't Translated Into High Values
Despite this, the STS-V hasn't rocketed in value in the 15 years or so since it went out of production. AutoTempest values the model at just $16,595, though this number has risen over the past year, having sat as low as $14k in early 2025. The low value tends to be due to most examples being sold with higher mileage, given that the STS-V was still geared more towards being comfortable, as opposed to an all-out Nürburgring slayer. This made it an effective daily driver, which led to greater miles being completed by most cars.
That said, low-mileage examples can't exactly be described as extortionate. A good illustration of this is a silver 2006 specimen offered through Cars.com, which has covered less than 60,000 miles through its life, and is priced at $22,948. The car is supplied with a clean title and was also freshly serviced, as well as equipped with a ton of useful equipment that makes it a realistic daily option. Sub-$30k will easily net you a similarly middle-mileage machine, with those boasting ultra-low mileage going for around the $35k mark. This is still extremely cheap for a full-blooded Cadillac V car with approaching 500 hp under the hood.
The STS-V Goes Like A Muscle Car
To be exact, the STS-V channels 469 hp to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The latter comes with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters too, allowing its driver to maintain control of the gears manually. It does tip the scales at 4,394 pounds, which limits its 0-60 mph sprint capability to 4.6 seconds, though this isn't exactly pedestrian. When combined with the characterful whine of the supercharger emanating from the hood, you'll find yourself planting the gas pedal to the floor more often than you should. Happily, the STS-V doesn't embarrass itself when things get twisty either, even if it isn't quite as sharp as period rivals like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG.
Its all-round independent suspension setup was tuned to offer more responsiveness than the standard STS range, but all the while remaining comfortable enough to use on a daily basis. Cadillac's engineers found a decent compromise, and managed to further increase the STS-V's responsiveness by introducing a faster and more precise steering rack. A Brembo braking setup was also brought to the party, while a limited-slip differential helped to keep those rear tires in check.
Sources: AutoTempest, Cadillac, Classic.com.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
