Vehicle Tested
| 2010 Cadillac CTS Premium
Base Price: $51,720
At-Tested Price: $55,630
Built in Lansing, Michigan.
Options
19" Summer Tire Performance
Crystal Red Tintcoat
Engine: 3.6-Liter V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive
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Quick, name the last time Cadillac sold a station wagon. Not sure? I'll give you a hint. Never, until now. The 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is the first factory-built station wagon ever offered by General Motor's luxury division and it shows Cadillac is serious about competing head-to-head with BMW and Mercedes-Benz for luxury-car shoppers.
The Sport Wagon is based on Cadillac's successful CTS platform. It nearly doubles cargo space of the existing sedan and costs about $3000 more. CTS Sport Wagon is a midsize four-door wagon that competes with vehicles like the Acura ZDX, Audi A4 wagon, BMW 3-Series wagon, and Volvo V70.
The CTS Sport Wagon seats five on front buckets and a three-place split-folding rear bench seat and comes in two trim levels: 3.0L, and 3.6L. Each is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. The 3.0L model comes with a 3.0-liter V6 that's new to the CTS lineup for 2010. It makes 270 horsepower and 233 pounds-feet of torque. The 3.6L model gets a 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with 273 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and utilize direct injection, which is designed to improve performance and economy while reducing emissions.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, wiper-activated headlights, daytime running lights, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Rear park assist and rear-view monitor are optional.
The 3.0L lists for $38,265 and includes air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, OnStar assistance system with one year service, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio and climate controls, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, eight-way power driver seat, center console, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, Bose AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, power liftgate, rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system,
235/55HR17 tires, and alloy wheels.
The 3.6L lists for $43,365 and adds to the 3.0L leather upholstery, heated ten-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), upgraded Bose sound system, iPod adapter, hard drive, Bluetooth cell-phone link, universal garage door opener , steering-linked adaptive HID headlights with washers, fog lights, sport-tuned suspension, and 235/50VR18 tires.
All wheel drive adds $1900 to the list price.
Cadillac offers a laundry list of optional equipment. Key among the options are heated and cooled front seats, power tilt-telescope wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood interior trim and shifter, keyless access and starting, navigation system with real-time traffic information, power sunroof, remote engine start, accent lighting, cargo net, alarm, and polished alloy wheels. Also available is a Performance package that adds rear limited-slip differential, uprated brakes and heavy-duty cooling system.
The CTS Sport Wagon is built in Lansing, Michigan.
Get Up and Go The CTS Sport Wagon is about 200 pounds heavier than the sedan, model to model. That's not really enough to drastically blunt acceleration, but the added bulk is noticeable when pulling away from stoplights.
The new 3.0-liter V6 provides adequate acceleration in most situations, but doesn't have much passing punch. Those wanting more oomph would be wise to choose the larger 3.8-liter V6. It pushes CTS from 0 to 60 mph in about seven seconds. That's fast by any measure. Even more impressive than the 0 to 60 time is the way the engine provides ample muscle at any speed. Power delivery is so linear that the V6 feels like a V8 most of the time.
Complimenting the engines is the responsive six-speed automatic transmission. It upshifts seamlessly and quickly responds to even slight throttle input to downshift for more power. Under hard acceleration, the transmission shifts with precision befitting the finest European automatics.
Rear or all-wheel drive, every CTS comes standard with traction control. That helps maintain control in hard acceleration, but Chicagoans will want to consider snow tires or high-quality all-season rubber in winter months. Don't try and drive the CTS with the optional summer tires in the snow, you will regret it.
Interestingly, both engines are EPA rated at 17 mpg city. The 3.0-liter manages 27 mpg on the highway and the 3.8-liter 26 mpg. Those numbers compare favorably to similarly equipped Acura ZDX, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series, models.
In routine driving, expect to average 20 mpg, perhaps 22 mpg if your daily commute includes a fair amount of routine expressway driving. Refreshingly, Cadillac says that all CTS engines run fine on regular-grade gasoline.
On the Road CTS rides like a finely tuned European sports sedan. The standard suspension is compliant, but not overly bouncy. Minor road imperfections are nicely quelled and larger bumps are softened but not eliminated. There is very little float or bounce on even the roughest of roads.
The all-season performance package comes with a slightly firmer ride that's not overly harsh. It's a good compromise for those looking for more composure without the undue harshness that comes with the summer-tire performance package.
Regardless of suspension or tires, drivers will appreciate the firm and accurate steering and powerful brakes. Body lean is modest and the tires have ample grip. The upgraded suspension on performance packages offer even more responsive handling. Model-for-model CTS can keep pace with its European competition on twisting roads, and that's saying something.
The CTS isn't the quietest luxury sport sedan on the road, but its close. Both engines sound refined in acceleration and are barely audible when cruising. Wind noise is low and tire noise only intrudes on coarse concrete pavement. Note, the summer-tire performance package brings with it substantially increased road noise.
Overall, the CTS, both sedan and new Sport Wagon, is refined and composed. It matches European competitors at Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz step for step on twisty roads and has enough refinement to handle Chicago's frost-heaved pavement.
Behind the Wheel CTS Sport Wagon has an interior befitting a $50,000 luxury car. Materials are top notch and assembly quality is excellent. An optional stitched-leather dash top, a feature found only in very expensive premium luxury cars, is especially impressive.
Despite the abundance of electronic gadgets, basic interior controls are familiar, easy to reach, and clearly marked. Thankfully most of the technology is optional, so people who just want basic luxury don't have to put up with awkward control inputs that are common in other luxury cars.
Front seats are firm and somewhat confining. The aren't as soft or broad as traditional Cadillac seats, but are long-haul comfortable and offer good support in spirited driving. With plenty of seat adjustments and a tilt-telescope steering wheel, most drivers will find it easy to get comfortable. Outward visibility is good forward, but restricted by thick rear pillars.
The rear seats are comfortable and nicely finished. If the front seats are pushed more than halfway back, knee room is very tight. The driveline hump is quite large and precludes sitting three across.
Cargo capacity jumps from 13.6 cubic feet on the sedan to a full 25 cubic feet on the Sport Wagon. Folding down the rear seats increases cargo capacity to 58 cubic feet, just shy of most crossover SUVs. The standard power tailgate is a nice touch. Interior storage is adequate, highlighted by small front-door map pockets and a large glovebox.
Bottom Line The Sport Wagon is a logical addition to the CTS lineup--as is the coming Coupe.
There's so much to like about the CTS, it's easier to list the things that aren't appealing. First and foremost is the price, at more than $55,000, the Sport Wagon is an expensive proposition. Sure the price is on par with import competition--even undercutting some by a couple thousand. But for the CTS to really stand out, it needs a more competitive price point.
That said, it's hard to find anything else to quibble with. Simply put, the CTS Sport Wagon is every thing that the import wagons hope to be without the compromises. Kudos to Cadillac and General Motors for having the guts to unleash the Sport Wagon, though sales volume might be low, you won't be dissapointed once you drive one.
Specifications, 2010 Cadillac CTS Premium
| Dimensions
| 4-door sedan
| Engine
| DOHC V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 113.4
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 3.6 / 217
| Length, in.
| 191.3
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 304 @ 6400
| Width, in.
| 72.6
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 273 @ 5200
| Height, in.
| 59.1
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3861
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 18 city / 26 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 25.0
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 18.0
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 4 years / 50,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 38.8
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 100,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 42.4
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 37.2
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 5 years / 100,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 35.9
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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