Station wagons always have been a bitter pill for me to swallow.
I am part of the generation that grew up with wagons, grew to despise them and watched as they became extinct while SUVs and minivans became the new people movers.
SUVs and minivans, huh? How's that one working out for you these days?
Well, the answer is in yet another launch of - you got it - a station wagon. My latest drive in a "new age" wagon comes in the form of the CTS, the overachieving entry-luxury sedan from Cadillac.
The addition of the extended roofline and some needed cargo volume to the CTS sedan was not the only notable change to the otherwise recognizable CTS sedan exterior.
Under the hood I had a 304-horsepower V-6 power plant that delivered a very un-wagonlike performance and (I'm cringing) some pretty spirited driving characteristics.
From the get-go, I'll have to admit this was yet another wagon design that was making me think I must be getting older (that seems to be happening a lot these days) because this wagon, at least from the outside, is pretty impressive. In fact, it's kind of cool looking - for a wagon, that is.
I think what I most appreciate about the new Cadillac CTS wagon is that the exterior's overall sophistication is its calling card. This doesn't look like a sedan with an extended roof added to it; it looks like it was designed with a utilitarian purpose but dressed up in a beautiful cloak with polished aluminum and chrome accents adding a subtle touch of class.
The CTS wagon comes standard with 18-inch all-season tires on polished aluminum rims. My tester had the upgrade performance package ($2,090) that switched out the 18-inch rims for 19-inchers and added summer-only tires, a sport suspension, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles and performance disc brakes. These classy rims add a refinement that I couldn't help but notice against the Crystal Red Tintcoat of the exterior.
While this is a Cadillac and it is loaded with luxury, even at the CTS level, the upgrade option really made it a memorable vehicle. Base price for the CTS V-6 Premium wagon is $51,720, so adding a nominal $2,000 for the real McCoy deserves a nod at the dealership. You won't regret it.
Inside the cabin you will find the luxury and creature comforts afforded a Cadillac owner. Power seats have 10-way adjustments, memory and allow the driver and front passenger to find the perfect seating position. Sightlines are good with lots of glass surround and a C-pillar that doesn't obstruct rear views. On a similar note, the huge ultra-view sunroof really helps open up the interior space.
Fit and finish is good inside and it was hard to find fault anywhere without really stretching to find it. Leather seats were comfortable and well bolstered. Rear seats offer a pass through and split-folding option to get to the utility space, which has a deep container compartment with easy access from the power lift gate.
The dash is highly functional and impressive in its compact visual fields. Expect standard Bluetooth, a navigation system and a 10-speaker Bose audio system with 40 GB hard drive with XM satellite radio (free for first three months). The audio system exceeds the needs of any family I know - I'd sure like to know anyone who was disappointed.
That 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 I mentioned earlier is the optional upgrade powertrain. A smaller 3.0-liter V-6 is available, but just a smidge less fun. My tester's V-6 delivered 304 horsepower at 6,400 rpm.
That's some serious family giddyup. Adding to the experience is a six-speed automatic transmission that had some rough patches during aggressive maneuvering.
Driving the CTS wagon around town is a breeze. It easily runs through tight spaces in parking lots and I found it to be easy to park, especially thanks to the rear-view camera function.
This is a family vehicle and Cadillac offers outstanding safety features. From front and side bags for front driver and passenger to head curtain side bags for both front and rear, active front head restraints, rear child door locks and OnStar Crash Response and Turn-by-Turn Navigation, this is one safety-conscious wagon.
Overall, you have a Cadillac that lands at about $55,630, about what you would expect for this level of vehicle. What you don't expect is the ride and drive the V-6 upgrade and the sport suspension delivers and the fun you have pushing it hard into turns and merging into traffic.
I didn't drive as a child, but I was a passenger in plenty of wagons and they were never this much fun. Now I just need a drive-in and I'll be set.
2010 CADILLAC CTS SPORT PREMIUM WAGONENGINE: 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6
TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic
DRIVETRAIN: all-wheel drive
FUEL ECONOMY: 18 city/26 highway
BASE PRICE: $51,720
AS TESTED: $55,630
WEB SITE: http://www.cadillac.com/