2014 Cadillac ELR: The Final 8-Year Review
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- čas přidán 10. 05. 2022
- After more than six years of ownership and more than 57,000 miles, I’m saying goodbye to my 2014 Cadillac ELR. It will soon be headed to its third owner.
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After buying a 2015 Tesla Model S, I thought I would never buy another gas vehicle. However, when it came time for my college-aged daughter to get a car, I couldn't justify a Tesla Model 3 or Y. So we got her a used 2015 Chevy Volt. While not as luxurious as the ELR, the Voltec drive train really was the perfect solution for those early days with limited charging infrastructure. For many people, that PHEV still makes total sense. Looking forward to the reveal!
I had a 2017 Volt (2nd generation), and loved it. But, it ‘drifted’ outside its lane and ended its active life scraping the cable median--totaling the car. So, I clearly needed something with warning beeps and buzzers. Voila! The off-lease Cadillac ELRs could be had in the low-$20ks. Two years and 30k miles later, it’s still a GREAT CAR! The Voltec power train is perfect in our not-yet electrified infrastructure driving world.
Hopefully you'll have many happy years with your ELR.
ELR is still my all time favorite car ever. i don't own one, driven it though. own a 2015 volt love it too . elr is just beyond sexy design of any car.
interesting enough the 2015 volt has a 17.1kwh pack, slightly bigger. it allows me to use onky 10.8kwh capacity..i know there is a way to chip it to use 14.4kwh just like the 2nd gen volt. which can give the 1st gen volt almost a 100km range on a charge which is pretty amazing range for a plug-in hybrid. i think fhe 2016 ELR has the 17.1kwh pack.
as for keeping the car or not. if i was you, i would keep it. since even if the pack needs replacing at some point. the entire vehicle is already an EV, hopefully down the road there will be a newer higher capacity pack that would give it more range.
There is an aftermarket rebuilder of batteries for volt/elr, $5k or $9k at the dealer.
I think GM should bring back that design but pure electric and they would have one sexy car that would rival all other competitors imo
Even if the EV range was 10 miles, the car looks great, and the mileage would still be better than average.
Excellent review! Did you have the small sunroof installed?
Great video! I’m a Volt owner since 2014. But our daughter has driven it daily for the last couple years. I’m thinking about finding a good used ELR for when she takes the Volt off to college. Chad - Purple Collar Life.
I'm sticking to my Voltec. Just in case. We're heading for an energy crisis and at some point I want to be able to run on one or the other (gas, electric) depending what's available.
Is the HMI unit behind the CUE screen? Normally under glove box. Also did the aftermarket radio have the ELR charging options? I love the aftermarket screen size
The aftermarket unit did preserve all CUE functions, including the charging screens, but I can't recommend it. It lasted less than two years before failing and the CUE screen was always a bit off center. Plus, the screen brightness wasn't as strong as the original CUE unit. I'm not sure of the HMI location. The aftermarket unit's wiring harness plugged into the same connector behind the screen as CUE. In the end I put the CUE unit back in after getting it repaired but I never investigated upgrading the HMI to support Android Auto/Apple Car Play.
Thank you for this review. I love this car. I finally say that I made an error test driving it because I couldn't afford one. And the used market they were at a point where I could almost comfortably have one. Hoping that in the near future that will be a reality for me. I'm hoping I can find a 2016. You mentioned the capped off the batteries. Do you know if the 2016 still have that longer range? Thanks again!
Seems they are getting even cheaper. Now I can find them sub 15K.
How can you tell if an ELR has adaptive cruise? I'm in market and wondering if there is a way to tell as I browse what's out there aside from pulling a build sheet on each. Perhaps a visual cue. Thanks for the detailed video.
You're going to need a build sheet to confirm it or you could take the VIN to your local Caddy dealer & see if they'll run it for you to get a copy of the build sheet. Any reputable seller should also list it in the description. If it were me, I'd also confirm it in a test drive but if you're flying to buy one, yea, you'll want that build sheet to be sure before buying a plane ticket. I've heard there is a visual difference in the Cadillac grille emblem but ELR's are so rare, I don't personally know what the difference is to be able to guide you.
I believe the S models all have adaptive cruise and you can tell by the fifth digit of the vin is an S
If it’s an ELR; it has adaptive cruise control.
Ill take it. I always wanted one and would take extremely good care of it
Well, I think I’m keeping my ELR for a while….I’m curious with a stronger battery if I’ll be able to get the battery to 50-60 miles a charge. I’ve been saving up for that day….hopefully the technology/battery will be coming soon.
The only think my car does that drives me nuts is the damn passenger seat goes off it I place anything on it. Good luck with the new EV
KEEP your ELR!!!! KEEP IT!! I drive a Volt MY2014 and I still regularly get my +/-80 km out of a single charge (that's roughly +/- 50 miles) under optimal conditions, noticeable battery degradation is around 5-7%.
I was about to sell it and stopped myself….I was looking at the BMW I3….made no sense since I can go anywhere with my little caddy with premium….it’s a fun little car…I know Tom the car critic in Seattle kept his….myself semi retired photographer kept his….I can get my gear in it in a crunch
How's the insurance budget on the ELR? Appreciate the update.
J Taratuta, I recently sold my ELR but even after switching insurance companies when I owned it, I found it to be costly to insure. If you're considering an ELR, I'd ask how your insurer would handle things if the car was seriously damaged. Given less than 3,000 cars were made, replacing an ELR, if the insurance company totals it out, could prove problematic. If they say the car is worth $18k but it costs you $30k or more to find a replacement, be ready to argue with them.
It's nice to see a youtuber have a car for more than 2 years and give a review. Getting off of fossil fuels though?? Doesn't it take fossil fuels to generate electricity??
Sure, to an extent, but using my utility as an example, it recently imploded its largest coal plant and has been busy building a half dozen or so solar farms. That's the great thing about EVs, they will get cleaner over time as utilities move toward renewables and cleaner sources of energy. At some point, if/when life allows, I would also like to up my own solar production. I currently generate about a 1kW or so a day from a small self-installed system.
I want one of these...but i changed my mind! 30mi per charge 3-5hr charge is a mind changer! The car looks beautifully unique but I want a 100%e+gas get the most out of my whip!
Exactly at this juncture. Same year, same miles and the battery is about kaput. Love the car's style hands down. Dealer had their hands tied when I started to complain about the failing battery a year before the warranty expired (no error codes, nothing to show GM to get a new battery replaced). Now, even on a full charge, it is 90% gas. Too bad there isn't a conversion kit specific to the ELR to go full EV. The battery replacement just makes zero economic sense when the cost is more than half the current market value of the car. Looking at selling soon and going full EV.
I'm sorry to hear that. As for a full EV conversion, that would be cool but even if one existed it would almost certainly make even less economic sense than replacing or rehabbing the car's existing setup.
Like the ELR’s, but after 50 years of driving cars, I learned to be very wary of General Motors products.
Your thoughts on the Cadillac Lyriq?
I haven't had a chance to drive a Lyriq but based on what I've watched and read it certainly seems solid. I've seen a few in person. I generally like the styling although I think the ELR is a better looking vehicle. But then again a coupe and SUV aren't really comparable.
Good review. Thanks
Have you sold this car yet by any chance? I would be interested in buying it.
David, Sorry but it already has a new owner.
@@EVRider oh dear...
Did you have the moon roof installed?
Yes, I did. Details on it are available here: facebook.com/groups/1687604568140458/posts/2268759560024953/
So overall this is a good car to buy?
It depends why you're buyng it. If you're buying it at this late stage of its life for a daily driver, I'd go with something else. Now that the battery warranties are expiring you would potentially face a huge expense when the battery eventually fails. Also, because so few were made, some parts might be hard to come buy if something like a headlight fails. On the other hand, they are fantastic cars and would make a great collector's car for Sunday drives, car shows and such.
I too need to sell mine unfortunately.
In market. What exactly do you have?
What don't you like about it?
Actually u can now upgrade it with another battery 🔋 pack and also another electric motor taking out the generator and placing the new 1 there making it a all wheel drive which I'm getting ready to do follow me to see my transformation
only 57k miles? i have 180k 😂
That's awesome. How's it holding up? Are you still on the original battery? How many EV-only miles are you getting per charge these days?
@@EVRider It just started having problems about 10k miles ago but its only during the cold. Only about 15-20 ev miles per charge if i remember correctly,and yes all on the stock battery!
@@KipricofficalHopefully it keeps going strong.
@@EVRider Its paid off so it wont be too devestating if something happens
6 YEARS and only 3 OIL CHANGES??? HAHAHAHAHAH
Your video sounds muffled
Since that video was done I have replaced my audio gear. Unfortunately I have several videos that were produced when my former Synco wireless lavs started failing.