Cadillac CTS’s range of content, powertrains rivals pack leaders
Chasing technology, a changing market and competitors
The CTS deftly threads the needle in the luxury-sedan segment with a range of models that match Europe- and Asiabased competitors.
For BMW, Audi and Lexus car owners who remain wedded to their brands, that statement might seem incongruous. The CTS has, however, evolved to become one of Cadillac’s better offerings, with a range of content and powertrains to rival the pack leaders.
For the past decade, the people in charge of Cadillac have bestowed uniquely crisp and neatly tailored styling to the brand’s vehicles. That’s both a blessing and a curse as it’s hard to distinguish the CTS from the somewhat larger and pricier CT6, or even the smaller ATS. Still, the CTS will fit right in when it arrives at the country club or executive-designated parking spots.
As nice as the CTS appears on the outside, the interior, although tasteful, is lacking that certain wow factor. The too-busy dashboard is the principal culprit, but the hard-toread knobless audio and climate controls aren’t particularly easy to activate, making them a distraction. In the plus column, the CTS’s front seats are supportive and the fitment and quality of the cabin materials is first rate.
The rear-seat room is about average in the midsize class, as is the trunk volume.
Pushing the start button fires up one of four available powertrains, beginning with a base turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine the produces 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
Optional is a non-turbo 3.6-litre V-6 with 335 horsepower and 285 pound-feet. An available twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V-6 in the V-Sport model pumps out 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet.
For the ultimate CTS experience, the CTS-V gets 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, courtesy of a supercharged 6.2-litre V-8 that comes from the Chevrolet Corvette ZO6. According to Cadillac, the CTS-V is capable of 3.7-second zero-to60-mph (96 km/h) runs and a 320 km/h top speed.
Other CTS-V distinguishing features include a unique mesh grille carbon-fibre hood, constantly adjusting Magnetic Ride Control shock absorbers, Brembo-brand brakes, multimode traction control and a launch-control system that ensures the quickest possible standing-start accelerations.
All CTS models get eightspeed automatic transmissions with paddle-shift controls and all but the CTS-V can be ordered with all-wheel-drive.
The CTS driving experience compares quite favorably with similar luxury sedans. Ride quality over uneven surfaces is quiet and firm but not unduly harsh, cornering is precise and the steering is nicely weighted. The test vehicle’s 3.6-litre V-6 is docile in city driving, but delivers plenty of punch (and accompanying sounds of fury) when the pedal is pushed.
Combined city/highway fuel economy for the 3.6-litre V-6 is rated at 10.0 l/100 km, which is only slightly worse than the four-cylinder’s number.
At a base price of $52,100 ($2,600 more for AWD), the CTS comes with a full-range of power-operated features plus an 11-speaker Bose-brand audio package.
The CTS Luxury comes with leather seat coverings, heated and ventilated front chairs, navigation system, a power panoramic sunroof and an uprated Bose audio system with 13 speakers. There’s also a full suite of active-safety technologies.
The Premium Luxury adds the V-6, tri-zone climate control and front-, rear- and parallel-parking assist. There’s also a power rear-window sunshade and manual side sunshades. A head-up display projects speed and other key information onto the windshield.
The twin-turbo V-Sport mirrors much of the Luxury’s content, but V-Sport Premium Luxury gets you 20-way adjustable front seats, a 31-centimetre configurable gauge cluster and 18-inch wheels with run-flat summer tires (17-inch wheels are standard).
For about $95,350, the CTS-V arrives brimming with amenities to match its none-to-subtle performance.
Ultimately, the task at hand for Cadillac is in convincing buyers that the CTS matches or exceeds other more established sedans in overall goodness. Given the car’s qualities and capabilities, that might not be such a hard sell.