You might be looking for a little luxury in your next car purchase. But you don’t necessarily want to spend the big bucks on a new sedan with all the bells and whistles, either. Considering a used vehicle is often a smart move financially, and in the realm of luxury options, it’s even more advantageous to the bank account.

You can enjoy the amenities of upscale materials without taking the depreciation hit. And in one recent best-of compilation, it seems the 2010 Cadillac CTS might just be the cheapest luxury car worth buying.

The Cadillac CTS is historically a luxury sedan for less

The Cadillac CTS always rates well among the critics throughout its production run from 2003 to 2019. And in terms of finding an upscale bargain, it may also be your best bet. In one iSeeCars survey of best deals, the Cadillac CTS earned high marks, especially in the three-year-old category. When these cars get returned off-lease, they become high quality used inventory, at almost two-thirds or less of the sticker price. In some cases, you can even buy a used Cadillac CTS for half of its original MSRP.

Browsing the online used CTS listings, you can see just how cheap they are in general and priced comparably to a Chevy Malibu. Out of all the Cadillac CTS used models, the 2010 model year may offer the most significant value of all.

Luxury for less than $30,000

U.S. News and World Report Cars put together their own list of luxury cars on a budget. In their roster of the high-end and budget-friendly, they considered a more extensive pool of model years and focused on those for less than $30,000. Some of the notable mentions include the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis, the 2011 Cadillac Escalade,  the 2012 Lexus RX 350, and the 2010 Audi A6. These cars were top-notch when they sold new.

But they present even more value to those who want luxury on a budget and who are considering a used vehicle. And, as you might have guessed, the 2010 Cadillac CTS made this list, as well.

The 2010 Cadillac CTS is luxury worth buying

In this luxury car roster of value and luxury under $30,000, the 2010 CTS is a winning contender. Coming in with an impressive 8.8 score out of a possible ten, this comfortable, spacious, and safe Cadillac sedan is all plush, without the denting the wallet. The average price of a 2010 CTS ranges between $7,222 and $8,667. And you’ll get plenty of car for that price with a 3.0-liter or 3.6-liter V6, both reasonably fuel-efficient. And you will have other must-have features too, including all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive options, Bluetooth, and upscale touch points. 

Cadillac rolled the last CTS sedan off the line in 2019. But don’t let vehicle retirement deter you from owning one of these legacy luxury rides. You will find the Cadillac CTS lands on many of the critics’ lists for value, comfort, and luxury on a budget. Whether you consider the cheapest of all in the 2010 model year or prefer a three-year-old model coming in off-lease, you’re sure to appreciate the price. It’s proving to be a car that is still an attractive buy, regardless of the version and model year you choose.

You’re financially savvy when it comes to car-buying. You are keen to let someone else handle the burden of new-car depreciation. But you’re also big on luxury, including leather, sunroof, and impressive materials. So, when you’re ready to make your purchase, the 2010 Cadillac CTS needs to be on your consideration list.