Cadillac CTS Sedan
The Cadillac CTS family has grown in recent years and now includes three different body styles: Sedan, Coupe and Wagon. Across most of the lineup, the CTS is offered in Luxury, Performance and Premium guises, although the Coupe and Wagon are also offered in a base version and the Coupe skips the Luxury setup.
The powertrain lineup for the CTS includes two V6 engines, manual or automatic transmissions and rear- or all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 270-horsepower, 3.0L V6 for base and Luxury models, while Performance and Premium models step up to a 318-horsepower, 3.6L V6. Both engines incorporate direct-injection technology and variable valve timing to help optimize power without sacrificing efficiency or smoothness, and models with the 3.0L engine come with EPA fuel economy ratings of up to 27 mpg highway.
All CTS models are engineered as proper sport sedans, including a short/long-arm independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, with an isolated subframe in back, plus power hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion steering and a sophisticated electronic chassis control system to help aid handling yet keep it safe.
All three body styles have essentially the same instrument panel, and many of the same interior appointments. Key differences, of course, are that the Wagon gets somewhat longer rear doors for easier entry, and that it has more cargo space and better versatility once the seatbacks are folded forward. Coupes offer more of a challenge in entry and exit to passengers, but once in there's a reasonably good amount of space.
Top-performance CTS-V models include a tremendously strong 556-horsepower, 6.2L supercharged V8, with either a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. This model comes with a long list of performance upgrades, including huge Brembo 6-piston front brake calipers and 4-piston ones in back, along with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tires.
Throughout the entire lineup, for 2013, the CTS's front grille has been updated with a brighter look and finish, while models with the Touring Package get a darker appearance at the front. Otherwise, the CTS lineup maintains a look that's simultaneously aerodynamic and sleek yet chunky and sharply creased, with the look helping to give the CTS a wide, aggressive stance. Inside, the CTS has an instrument panel that's like that of no other luxury car either, with a V-shaped control stack and a navigation-system screen that elevates upward, to display the full screen only when it's needed. The look is more flamboyant that that of most German cars, while trims and materials are just as good.
Standard equipment on the CTS includes 10-way-adjustable power front seats with driver memory settings, heated front seats, leather upholstery, interior ambient lighting, a rear-view camera system, Rainsense wipers and a universal garage-door opener--all features that are optional in many luxury sport sedans. Other standard features include Bluetooth phone connectivity, ultrasonic rear park assist on the Premium and an adaptive vehicle start system. The Premium models also get a heated steering wheel, UltraView power sunroof and heated-and-cooled Recaro sport seats.
On Luxury or Premium models, there's an optional Touring Package that brings microfiber suede steering-wheel and shift-knob trim, sport alloy pedals, chrome door handles, a sport grille, a special V-Series center brake light, Midnight Sapele wood trim, Recaro performance seats on the Premium model, and 18-inch pearl nickel on the Luxury or 19-inch polished aluminum wheels on the Premium.
A so-called Performance Package is included in Luxury models with the Touring Package, as well as all Performance and Premium models, adding fog lamps, HID headlamps, upgraded wheels, a limited-slip differential, performance brakes and a sport suspension. And for those enthusiasts in warm, dry climates there's a special summer-tire Performance Package that brings Y-rated performance tires on 19-inch polished aluminum wheels, steering-wheel paddle-shifters, performance cooling upgrades, and a limited-slip differential.