New Cadillac CTS

In its earlier years, Cadillac had little interest in making smaller cars. When market conditions finally convinced the company's managers that the brand had to have them, the resulting products elicited little favorable reaction from consumers. The modern Cadillac CTS, however, is one entry-level Cadillac that has bucked that trend.

With a cutting-edge design and extensive development work on Germany's famed Nürburgring test track, the CTS sport sedan is aimed squarely at the class leaders in one of the industry's most competitive segments. It's also a bit larger than many of the cars that it competes against in terms of price and design philosophy.

There have been two generations of the Cadillac CTS. Despite some obvious shortcomings in terms of interior design and quality, the first CTS went on to be one of Cadillac's most popular models as well as the only main domestic entry to truly compete against the top European and Japanese entry-level luxury cars. It's worth a look as a used or pre-owned model. For the second-generation CTS, Cadillac made substantial improvements regarding to interior design and materials quality. It's an excellent luxury sport sedan, and consumers interested in this type of car should give it serious consideration.

Current Cadillac CTS

The second-generation Cadillac CTS sedan debuted for the 2008 model year. Compared to the original CTS, the new model is more refined and powerful. Overall body dimensions are similar to the original CTS, but there are an additional 2 inches of track width to give the sedan a more powerful stance. The first CTS's lackluster interior has been remedied via a substantially higher level of quality and a more attractive design.

Two V6 engines are available. Standard power comes from a 3.6-liter V6 generating 258 horsepower, while the available 3.6-liter direct-injection (DI) V6 puts out 304 hp. Both engines can be equipped with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The CTS is also offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, though AWD models are limited to the base engine and automatic transmission.

Standard equipment for the Cadillac CTS is decent, and a full complement of the latest safety technology is standard as well. There are a variety of luxury options, including leather seating, a premium audio system and a hard-drive-based navigation system that can store digital music files. Two sport suspension packages are also available to further the CTS's handling capabilities.

Overall, the upgraded interior and spirited powertrains have pushed the CTS into top-tier status for a luxury sport sedan. While it might not qualify for "Standard of the World" status just yet, Cadillac's entry-level model has evolved into a much more capable car all the way around and can now more than hold its own against the best cars in this segment both in terms of luxury appeal and driving prowess.

Past Cadillac CTS Models

The first-generation Cadillac CTS was sold from the 2003-'07 model years. When it debuted, the CTS was one of Cadillac's first cars to fully emphasize the brand's modern, angular styling themes. It was also a significant departure from traditional modern Cadillacs because of its rear-wheel drive, available manual transmission, stiff body structure and sport-oriented handling dynamics.

The car's larger-than-average exterior dimensions translated to a roomier cabin that could accommodate five adults. A fair number of features came standard, including antilock brakes and side curtain airbags. Upscale features were typically bundled as part of optional packages. Common options included a premium Bose audio system, a DVD-based navigation system, xenon headlights and a sunroof. A sport package provided a sport-tuned suspension, bigger wheels and tires, and stability control.

In its first year, the Cadillac CTS came only with a 3.2-liter V6 good for 220 hp. This was joined in 2004 by a more desirable 255-hp 3.6-liter V6. At the time, the base V6 was available with a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. The larger V6 came with the automatic only. In 2005, however, the 3.2-liter engine was dropped in favor of a smaller, 210-hp 2.8-liter engine. Cadillac also upgraded the manual transmission to a six-speed unit and made it available for the 3.6-liter V6 as well.

Previous to the CTS, Cadillac's entry-level vehicle was the Catera. Based on Europe's Opel Omega, it was offered from 1997-2001. This model was not particularly popular with consumers or Edmunds.com's editorial staff, and it's recommended that used-car shoppers consider other vehicles in this segment.

Motor Trend Names cadillac cts 2008 Car Of The Year

Motor Trend (www.motortrend.com), the world's automotive authority and part of Source Interlink Media, today announced the selection of the new 2008 Cadillac CTS as the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year™. The complete report on Motor Trend's 2008 Car of the Year will be published in the magazine's January issue, available on newsstands December 4, 2007.
"The Cadillac CTS marks the first time in decades an American automobile has been designed and engineered with an eye on the global marketplace," said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. "Among its many excellent qualities, perhaps the most valuable one is that it shows Detroit can build a world class car to compete with the best Munich, Stuttgart and Toyota City have to offer. With the CTS, Detroit is officially back in the car business, not just the truck or SUV business."
"The CTS's winning attributes go far beyond a well-designed facade," said MacKenzie. "It's the star of a new GM revival, and with a base car price of just $32,990, the car is truly accessible to a wide spectrum of car buyers."
The base model CTS includes an impressive 263-horsepower, VVT V-6 (a 304-horsepower direct-injection version is optional), eight-speaker Bose audio, 17-inch wheels and a dual zone climate control. In addition to offering a classy, distinctive interior, superb fit and finish, and starched-crease tailored design, the six-speed automatic version of the CTS goes from 0-to-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Motor Trend editors particularly enjoyed the car's road-hugging dexterity, responsive feel, and sporty acceleration.

The 2008 Field of Contenders
Motor Trend editors faced the daunting challenge of choosing one winner from one of the toughest Car of the Year fields in the history of the award.
"This year's 18-car field was laden with truly significant vehicles," said MacKenzie. "We had all-new interpretations of high-volume benchmark cars that virtually define their respective categories, such as the Honda Accord and Chrysler-Dodge minivan. We had reworked icons such as the Mini Cooper, Subaru Impreza WRX and Scion xB. We had new cars with old nameplates that carried the collective hopes of an entire company, along with all-new vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Audi."

Return to Prominence
With the CTS, Cadillac—and GM—captures the golden calipers nearly six decades after winning the first Motor Trend Car of the Year™ award in 1949.
"The CTS obliterates the ‘old man' image of Cadillac," said MacKenzie. "This car will turn heads in the same way that the elite European models do, but it is unmistakably American and uniquely Cadillac. This is a bold and uncompromising showpiece of a sedan."
MacKenzie added, "Tested and developed in the U.S., Germany and China, the CTS exhibits a global poise far beyond its predecessors. The chassis has the race track in its DNA. And it has an interior that manages to be avant-garde and innovative without being difficult to operate. The navigation/information touchscreen sets a new industry standard for stylishness and ease of use."