Cadillac ELR: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Cadillac ELR has one core version, 1.4 CVT, offered in two forms: the 2013–2015 first-generation Fastback and the restyled 2015–2016 Coupe. Both use a 1,398 cc Hybrid engine producing 84 hp and 126 Nm, paired with a Variable gearbox and FWD.
The Cadillac ELR has one core version, 1.4 CVT, offered in two forms: the 2013–2015 first-generation Fastback and the restyled 2015–2016 Coupe. Both use a 1,398 cc Hybrid engine producing 84 hp and 126 Nm, paired with a Variable gearbox and FWD. The meaningful choice is therefore not engine output but model period and performance: the restyled car reaches 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and 208 km/h, while the earlier Fastback takes 7.8 seconds and tops out at 170 km/h. Choose the restyled 1.4 CVT for stronger measured performance and the earlier 1.4 CVT when published fuel-consumption and ground-clearance figures matter more.
Cadillac ELR generations: what changed?
The first-generation Cadillac ELR ran from 2013 to 2015 as a Fastback and contained one version, 1.4 CVT. Its 1,398 cc Hybrid engine is rated at 84 hp at 4,800 rpm and 126 Nm at 4,800 rpm. This version uses a Variable gearbox and FWD. Its measured specifications include a 7.8-second 0–100 km/h time, a 170 km/h maximum speed, 7.1 l/100 km combined consumption, 1,846 kg kerb weight, and 120 mm ground clearance.
The first-generation restyling ran from 2015 to 2016 as a Coupe and also contained one version, 1.4 CVT. Engine output remains 84 hp at 4,800 rpm and 126 Nm at 4,800 rpm, while the drivetrain remains Variable and FWD. Compared with the earlier Fastback, the restyled Coupe is 1.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, has a maximum speed that is 38 km/h higher, and weighs 2 kg less at the kerb. Its consumption and ground-clearance figures are not measured in the supplied data.
Cadillac ELR engine and specs
Both versions use the same naturally aspirated configuration in the catalogue data: a Hybrid engine with 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, No boost, and Distributed injection (multi-point). Displacement is 1,398 cc, compression ratio is 10.5, and bore and stroke are 73.4 × 82.6 mm. The restyled engine is mounted Front, transverse; engine position for the earlier version is not measured.
| Model period and body | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 Fastback | 1.4 CVT | 84 hp | 126 Nm | 1,398 cc | 98 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| 2015–2016 Coupe, restyling | 1.4 CVT | 84 hp | 126 Nm | 1,398 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
Each 1.4 CVT produces approximately 60.1 hp per litre and 90.1 Nm per litre. Because displacement, power, and torque are identical, neither model period has an advantage in engine output per litre. Their published fuel labels differ: the earlier Fastback specifies 98, whereas the restyled Coupe specifies 95.
Both cars have Independent, spring front and rear suspension. Each uses Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. These specifications give no basis for preferring one period over the other on suspension or brake type.
Cadillac ELR performance, 0–100 and mpg
| Model period and version | 0–100 km/h | Maximum speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 Fastback 1.4 CVT | 7.8 sec | 170 km/h | 7.6 l/100 km | 6.7 l/100 km | 7.1 l/100 km |
| 2015–2016 Coupe, restyling 1.4 CVT | 6.4 sec | 208 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The restyled 1.4 CVT is the clear performance choice. Its 6.4-second 0–100 km/h result is 1.4 seconds quicker than the earlier car’s 7.8 seconds, an improvement of about 17.9%. Its 208 km/h maximum speed exceeds the earlier version’s 170 km/h figure by 38 km/h, or about 22.4%.
The earlier 1.4 CVT is the only version for which fuel consumption is measured. Its city figure is 7.6 l/100 km, its highway figure is 6.7 l/100 km, and its combined figure is 7.1 l/100 km. Consumption for the restyled version is not measured, so the data cannot support a claim that either version has better mpg or lower fuel use.
The supplied figures report 0–100 km/h rather than 0–60 mph. A Cadillac ELR 0–60 time is therefore not measured here, and it should not be inferred from the 0–100 km/h results.
Cadillac ELR dimensions, weight and practical specs
| Model period and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per horsepower | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 Fastback 1.4 CVT | 1,846 kg | not measured | 21.98 kg/hp | 120 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 2015–2016 Coupe, restyling 1.4 CVT | 1,844 kg | not measured | 21.95 kg/hp | not measured | 35 l | not measured |
The restyled 1.4 CVT is 2 kg lighter despite retaining the same 84 hp output. Its weight-to-power figure is approximately 21.95 kg/hp, compared with approximately 21.98 kg/hp for the earlier version. That difference is too small to explain the full measured acceleration change by weight alone, but the supplied data do not identify any other cause.
The earlier Fastback has 120 mm of measured ground clearance; clearance for the restyled Coupe is not measured. Conversely, the restyled Coupe has a measured 35 l fuel tank, while tank capacity for the earlier Fastback is not measured.
Gross weight is not measured for either 1.4 CVT. Wheel sizes are also not measured for either version. Overall exterior dimensions and interior measurements are absent from the data, so Cadillac ELR length, width, height, cabin space, and cargo capacity cannot be compared here.
Cadillac ELR reliability, problems and buying checks
Reliability results, service history, repair frequency, battery condition, and known-problem records are not measured in the supplied data. It is therefore not possible to declare either 1.4 CVT more reliable or to list Cadillac ELR problems as established facts.
For a used-car comparison, verify that the specific vehicle matches the relevant catalogue period and body: 2013–2015 Fastback or 2015–2016 restyled Coupe. The expected engine figures for both are 84 hp and 126 Nm from 1,398 cc, with a Variable gearbox and FWD. Condition, mileage, prices, local availability, and cars for sale are not provided, so they cannot be ranked.
Which Cadillac ELR 1.4 CVT should you choose?
Choose the 2015–2016 restyled Coupe 1.4 CVT if measured performance is the priority. It preserves the same 84 hp, 126 Nm, 1,398 cc Hybrid specification but cuts the 0–100 km/h time from 7.8 to 6.4 seconds, raises maximum speed from 170 to 208 km/h, and reduces kerb weight from 1,846 to 1,844 kg. It also provides a measured 35 l tank capacity and specifies fuel 95.
Choose the 2013–2015 Fastback 1.4 CVT if you need the more complete economy data. It is the only version with measured city, highway, and combined consumption: 7.6, 6.7, and 7.1 l/100 km respectively. It also supplies a measured 120 mm ground-clearance figure. Its trade-off is slower acceleration and a lower maximum speed, while its specified fuel is 98.
There is no engine-output reason to favor one over the other: both deliver approximately 60.1 hp per litre, approximately 90.1 Nm per litre, and 84 hp from the exact 1.4 CVT version name. The buying decision comes down to the restyled Coupe’s substantially better measured performance versus the earlier Fastback’s more complete measured economy and clearance specifications.