Cadillac Fleetwood

Cadillac Fleetwood: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Cadillac Fleetwood version to choose depends on whether you prioritize maximum output, lower kerb weight, measured fuel economy, or a particular drivetrain. The first-generation 7.0 AT is the most powerful option in the catalogue at 313 hp and 606 Nm.

The Cadillac Fleetwood version to choose depends on whether you prioritize maximum output, lower kerb weight, measured fuel economy, or a particular drivetrain. The first-generation 7.0 AT is the most powerful option in the catalogue at 313 hp and 606 Nm. The second-generation 4.9 AT offers 204 hp with FWD, while its 4.1 AT alternative is the only version with complete city, highway, and combined fuel-consumption figures. In the third generation, the stronger 5.7 AT produces 264 hp and 454 Nm, exceeding the other 5.7 AT by 76 hp and 14 Nm. All listed Fleetwoods are Sedans with Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engines and Automatic transmissions.

Cadillac Fleetwood generations compared

The first generation was produced from 1956 through 1976 as a Sedan. Its two versions, 6.0 AT and 7.0 AT, both use RWD and front, longitudinal engines. The 6.0 AT has a 4-speed Automatic transmission, whereas the 7.0 AT has a 3-speed Automatic. With 300 hp and 548 Nm from 5,972 cc, the 6.0 AT develops approximately 50.2 hp per litre. The 7.0 AT produces 313 hp and 606 Nm from 7,025 cc, or approximately 44.6 hp per litre. Choosing the 7.0 AT therefore adds 13 hp and 58 Nm, although its engine is 1,053 cc larger.

The second generation ran from 1984 through 1992 and contains four Sedan versions: 4.1 AT, two distinct 4.5 AT versions, and 4.9 AT. Every version combines FWD with a 4-speed Automatic transmission, Distributed injection (multi-point), and no boost. The generation ranges from 125 hp and 258 Nm in the 4.1 AT to 204 hp and 372 Nm in the 4.9 AT. The two identically named 4.5 AT versions must be distinguished by output: one has 158 hp, while the other has 182 hp.

The third generation covered 1993 through 1996 and comprises two Sedan versions, both named 5.7 AT. Each has a 5,735 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, Central injection (single-point or single- point), no boost, a 4-speed Automatic transmission, and RWD. The 188 hp 5.7 AT produces 440 Nm, while the 264 hp 5.7 AT produces 454 Nm. Their rear suspensions differ in the supplied specifications: the 188 hp version is listed with Independent, spring rear suspension, and the 264 hp version with Dependent, spring rear suspension.

Cadillac Fleetwood engine specs

Power per litre helps separate versions that share broadly similar engine formats. The second-generation 4.1 AT develops approximately 30.6 hp per litre, followed by the 158 hp 4.5 AT at approximately 35.3 hp per litre and the 182 hp 4.5 AT at approximately 40.7 hp per litre. The 4.9 AT reaches approximately 41.5 hp per litre. Among the third-generation cars, the 188 hp 5.7 AT provides approximately 32.8 hp per litre, while the 264 hp 5.7 AT reaches approximately 46.0 hp per litre.

For buyers comparing the two second-generation 4.5 AT entries, the 182 hp version supplies 24 hp more than the 158 hp version, a gain of approximately 15.2%. Both retain the same 4,473 cc displacement and 325 Nm torque rating. The third-generation comparison is more pronounced: the 264 hp 5.7 AT adds approximately 40.4% more power than the 188 hp 5.7 AT despite sharing the same displacement.

Cadillac Fleetwood performance and fuel economy

Among the versions with measured acceleration, the first-generation 7.0 AT and second-generation 4.5 AT (158 hp) both reach 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds. The 7.0 AT is 1.9 seconds quicker than the 6.0 AT, while the 4.5 AT (158 hp) is 3.5 seconds quicker than the 4.1 AT. Measured top speeds are tightly grouped at 186 km/h for the 6.0 AT, 187 km/h for the 7.0 AT, 170 km/h for the 4.1 AT, and 171 km/h for the 4.5 AT (158 hp).

The 4.1 AT is the only choice that allows a data-based fuel-economy comparison: it records 13.8 L/100 km in the city, 9.8 L/100 km on the highway, and 11.8 L/100 km combined. Its city figure is 4.0 L/100 km higher than its highway figure. Fuel consumption is not measured for every other version, so the data cannot establish whether their additional power brings a consumption penalty.

Cadillac Fleetwood dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank capacity

Overall length, width, height, wheelbase, and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Cadillac Fleetwood version. Consequently, this catalogue cannot support a numerical Fleetwood length, dimensions, or size comparison.

Kerb weight is measured for three versions. The first-generation 7.0 AT weighs 2,455 kg, giving approximately 7.84 kg per horsepower. The second-generation 4.1 AT weighs 1,550 kg, or 12.40 kg per horsepower. The second-generation 4.5 AT (158 hp) weighs 1,640 kg, or approximately 10.38 kg per horsepower. Kerb weight is not measured for the first-generation 6.0 AT, second-generation 4.5 AT (182 hp), second-generation 4.9 AT, or either third-generation 5.7 AT. Gross weight is not measured for any version.

Ground clearance is 145 mm for all second- and third-generation versions; it is not measured for either first-generation version. Fuel-tank capacity is 68 litres across the second generation and 87 litres across the third generation, giving the later cars 19 litres more capacity. Tank capacity is not measured for the first generation.

Which Cadillac Fleetwood version should you choose?

Choose the first-generation 7.0 AT if maximum catalogue output is the priority. Its 313 hp and 606 Nm are the highest figures here, and its measured 187 km/h top speed is also the highest by 1 km/h. Against the 6.0 AT, it adds 13 hp and 58 Nm and reduces the measured 0–100 km/h time by 1.9 seconds. The trade-off visible in the data is a 3-speed rather than 4-speed Automatic transmission, plus lower power per litre.

Choose the second-generation 4.1 AT if measured running figures matter more than peak output. It is the only version with complete city, highway, and combined consumption data. Its 125 hp is the lowest output in the catalogue, however, and its measured 14.4-second 0–100 km/h time is the slowest supplied figure.

Between the two 4.5 AT versions, choose the 182 hp car for its extra 24 hp if acceleration and economy figures are not essential to your decision. Both have 325 Nm, but performance and consumption are not measured for the 182 hp version. Choose the 158 hp 4.5 AT when verified performance and weight data are more useful: it has a measured 10.9-second 0–100 km/h time, a 171 km/h top speed, and a 1,640 kg kerb weight.

The second-generation 4.9 AT is the strongest FWD Fleetwood listed. It makes 204 hp and 372 Nm, exceeding the 182 hp 4.5 AT by 22 hp and 47 Nm. Its engine is 443 cc larger, while its power density improves by approximately 0.8 hp per litre. Performance, fuel consumption, and kerb weight are not measured, which limits a complete value comparison.

For a 1993–1996 RWD Fleetwood, the 264 hp 5.7 AT is the clearer performance choice. It has 76 hp more than the 188 hp 5.7 AT, while torque rises from 440 to 454 Nm. The 188 hp version reaches its peak torque at 2,400 rpm, whereas the 264 hp version reaches 454 Nm at 3,200 rpm. Neither has measured acceleration, top speed, consumption, or kerb weight, so the catalogue supports an output comparison but not a conclusion about real-world pace, economy, or power-to-weight ratio.

Prices and sale listings are not included in the supplied data, so no version can be recommended on purchase cost or claimed value for money. Based strictly on the measured specifications, the 7.0 AT is the maximum-output choice, the 4.1 AT is the economy-data choice, the 4.9 AT is the strongest FWD choice, and the 264 hp 5.7 AT is the strongest third-generation choice.