2016 Cadillac ELR: Less Expensive Than Ever

The Cadillac ELR is an excellent idea badly marketed by GM: they took the underpinnings of the very frugal Chevrolet Volt and fitted them with a sleek coupe body, a comfortable interior and a long list of standard equipment. However, they sell it for more than $80,000, which places it up against other electric competitors that are just as good-looking, but more powerful and with better all-electric range.

While it won’t come back after the current model is phased out, Cadillac wants to increase interest in its slow-selling electric coupe: performance has increased, there is more safety equipment than ever, styling is upgraded… And it won’t hurt your wallet as much.

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First of all, the American brand changed the front grille; it now sports Cadillac’s new logo. The suspension is now firmer, the steering has been recalibrated and the brakes are stronger. A Performance Package adds more punch to the electric car with 20-inch wheels and Brembo brakes. Power is also up: the ELR now boasts the equivalent of 233 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque, which enables it to get from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.

The most interesting change is at the bottom of the invoice, however: While we are still waiting on Canadian pricing, the US version of the 2015 Cadillac ELR will sell for $58,495 (after the US rebates for electric vehicles). This is about $10,000 less than the 2014MY, which was offered at $67,500 after those same rebates were applied.