The American plug-in hybrid is a hidden gem for less than $15,000

Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric vehicles (EVs) have come and gone in the United States. Many have suffered due to low demand, poor marketing, high prices, or poor execution in design and production.

The Cadillac ELR is one of the most spectacular failures. Sold between 2014 and 2016, this sleek fastback coupe looked promising but faltered from the start for all the reasons that could kill a car like this.

Its failure in the market turned into an opportunity for buyers. Well-preserved ELRs can be found for less than $15,000, even with low miles, making the once-forgotten flip flop a surprisingly smart choice for a used car.

To provide you with the most current and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was obtained from the Cadillac website and other trusted sources, including CarBuzz, EPA, Kelley Blue Book, JD Power, and TopSpeed.

The value of the Cadillac ELR has decreased significantly

Kelly Blue Book It shows that the 2016 Cadillac ELR lost 45 percent of its value over the past three years, which equates to about $11,976.

You can now get low mileage models in good condition For less than $12,067.

That’s a massive drop from the starting price of $65,995, which was already $10,000 less than the 2014 launch model at $75,000.

Annual consumption trends for Cadillac ELR

The Cadillac ELR has lost about 78% of its value, making it among the fastest depreciating coupes ever sold in the United States.

On average, their value depreciates by about $5,700 each year.

Currency depreciation has been particularly brutal since 2021, with particularly large hits occurring in 2023 and 2024.

Energy dinar 2014 Cadillac ELRs list prices between $11,087 and $12,610, while 2016 models range in price from $16,973 to $19,306.

This is a surprising trend for such a rare car, with only 2,874 units sold, making it one of the most unique Cadillacs.

The lower prices correlate with weak demand for a $65,000 PHEV that shares most of its parts with the much cheaper and more practical Chevrolet Volt.

Two year old Cadillac ELR

the Cadillac ELR It only came in two model years: 2014 and 2016. The brand skipped 2015 entirely, hoping to improve the car, although it clearly didn’t make much of a difference.

Lackluster ELR specs

Built on GM’s Voltec platform, the Cadillac ELR launched at a starting price of $75,000.

It combines a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with two 217-horsepower electric motors. Not bad compared to the Volt, but by today’s standards, nothing to get excited about.

Cadillac achieved a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds and a top speed limited to 106 mph.

2014 Cadillac ELR EPA Fuel Estimates

ELR is a solid fuel saver, According to the Environmental Protection Agency. It uses 41 kWh per 100 miles on electric power and gets 33 mpg on gasoline alone.

The 16.5-kilowatt-hour battery covers about 37 miles per charge, while the 9.3-gallon gas tank adds another 340 miles between fill-ups.

Over five years, you can save about $2,000 in fuel. The cost of driving 25 miles is $1.54 for electricity or $3.08 for gas, the annual fuel and electricity total is about $1,250, and a full tank of gas is about $38.

2016 brought much needed updates to the ELR

Cadillac gave the ELR a big boost in 2016, raising combined power to 233 hp and 373 lb-ft. This reduced the 0-60 mph acceleration time to 6.5 seconds, while the top speed remained the same.

The update also added revised torque-reducing struts with stiffer springs, upgraded control arm bushings, and a damped rebound spring. The coilover rear axle got stiffer Watts link bushings, and the adaptive suspension was retuned to match the new stiffness and recalibrated steering, along with improved brakes.

Buyers can also opt for the new Performance Package, which includes:

• Performance tires

• New 20-inch wheels

• Brembo four-piston front brake calipers with 13.6-inch vented rotors

• Sports steering wheel with thicker rim

• Unique steering and suspension revisions

Updates come at the cost of efficiency

The 2016 updates had a natural impact on EPA ratings. Without the Performance Package, the ELR gets 85 mpg combined, or 39 kWh per 100 miles, on electric power, and 32 mpg on gas alone.

Gas range remains at 340 miles, but modifications to the electric system push EV range to 40 miles. Driving 25 miles costs about $1.46 for electricity and $3.18 for gas.

2016 Cadillac ELR EPA Fuel Estimates

With the larger 20-inch wheels available on the Performance package, efficiency isn’t affected as much. The ELR drops to 80 mpg, using 43 kWh per 100 miles, and you get 30 mpg on gas.

This setup delivers 320 miles on gasoline and about 36 miles on electric power alone.

Over five years, you’ll still save about $1,500 on fuel, and spend about $1,350 annually. Driving 25 miles costs about $3.39 for gas and $1.61 for electricity.

Luxury living within ELR

Cadillac has kept the ELR’s cabin mostly the same across both models, and it still feels appropriately upscale. You get a 10-speaker Bose sound system with active noise cancellation, hand-stitched leather seats, and suede microfiber headlining.

Optional technology included adaptive cruise control, near-collision braking, blind-spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Each model comes with 16-way power seats, and buyers can upgrade to 20-way adjustable seats for added comfort.

On the outside, the ELR gets LED lighting up front, active air shutters, and automatic high and low beams. The 2014 model came in Radiant Silver, Midnight Black, Graphite Metallic, or special dual-coat versions in Crystal Red and Triple-Coat White—only 100 of which were ever built.

Small but noticeable modifications for 2016

For 2016, Cadillac kept the color palette simple – Radiant Silver, Star Black, Graphite Metallic, Crystal White and Passion Red.

The update also brought some welcome tech upgrades, with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, lane change alert, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi now standard across the lineup.

Cadillac ELR overall sales figures

Even with the updates and lower price, 2016 ELR sales were worse than before. Cadillac moved 1,310 units in 2014 and 1,024 units in 2015, but only 534 units in 2016, including six early deliveries since 2013.

This poor performance prompted Cadillac to pull the plug on the ELR entirely, replacing it with the disappointing CT6.

It may not have been a sales success, but today, the ELR is a hidden gem – a sharp-looking luxury coupe that represents a serious bargain for less than $15,000.