The Cadillac DTS does 18 mpg combined (15 city, 22.8 highway), which works out to about $2,133 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Cadillac DTS engine, compared
The Cadillac DTS was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 15 / 22.8 | 2006–2011 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
The Cadillac DTS burns a gallon every 18 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 667 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$252 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,450 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Cadillac DTS gives up 7.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 22.8 out there against 15 in town, a 52% drop worth $876 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 15 mpg | $2,560 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.8 mpg (52%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the DTS changed over the years
Combined figure across the 6 model years the DTS was rated in, all of them at 18 mpg. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2010 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2009 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Cadillac DTS — 1 engine across 2006–2011. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,450. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Cadillac DTS get?
18 mpg combined on average — 15 in the city and 22.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2006–2011.
How much does a Cadillac DTS cost in fuel per year?
About $2,133 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,665 over five years, or 0.178 dollars a mile.
Which DTS engine is the most economical?
The 4.6L 8-cyl at 18 mpg.
Is the DTS good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world DTS figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Cadillac DTS is $3,450 against the $2,133 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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