CTC Review: 2008 Cadillac CTS

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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Completely redesigned for 2008, the new Cadillac CTS has been causing a lot of people to take notice of GM and Cadillac.  For me personally, the new CTS was one of the few releases at last year's Detroit auto show that I was looking forward to driving to see how much better it really was. More ...

[2hondas1BMW]

I saw a Pearl white one yesterday. Definitely caught my eye.

[Benhaze]

Love the new CTS. Gorgeous car inside and out. But $60K for one? BMW has an insane pricing policy at times but yet can get away with it because of obvious reasons; don't know what makes Cadillac think they can price the CTS so high.

$21K span for one model because of too many pricey options is also a loser proposal for the resale value and I doubt GM will be able to maintain good residuals. There might be awesome deals to make on CTS a few years down the road.

[The Mighty Duck]

I tried to visit the GM website to find out more, but it wouldn't work.  I hope the CTS is more reliable!  I seem to recall you really enjoyed the old CTS, wing, so it will be interesting to see how much better this one is.  I've heard lots of good things about it, and starting at under $40k it is an attractive bargain.

What sort of AWD does your tester have?  Is it a proper system, or a slip and grip setup?

[rrocket]

They said this car had "BMW-like handling".  I just read the test in the latest mag.  0-60, 1/4, and handling all nearly identical to a Toyota Camry SE.  How come no one says a Camry handles like a BMW??   

[Mitlov]

What sort of AWD does your tester have?  Is it a proper system, or a slip and grip setup?

I'm assuming it's some kind of full-time AWD, as it's built off of a RWD platform.  I thought slip-and-grip was just for FWD?

[barrie1]

This could well be car of the year as it is a very well built and designed vehicle for the money. I can visualize them selling extremely well in our Country and being in service for many years as well. 

[si]

It's unfortunate that the MT can only be had with RWD (and the weaker engine?)..  is the slushbox performance oriented at all?


Though I must say, next to the Z06, this is the most attractive model GM has.  A shame the price creeps up so quickly...

[Benhaze]

What sort of AWD does your tester have?  Is it a proper system, or a slip and grip setup?

I'm assuming it's some kind of full-time AWD, as it's built off of a RWD platform.  I thought slip-and-grip was just for FWD?

Hopefully it's the same or one that is just as good as the SRX AWD system. Caddy didn't have to look far to find one of the best on-road system...

[2latecrew]

I think this is hands down the best car GM has produced in recent memory. Probably one of the only ones I'd ever been remotley interested in buying. Hopefully they will maintain reliability on these so it can be added to my list of used sedans I might buy and import from the US in 2 to 3 years (along with the new G35).

[The Mighty Duck]

It's unfortunate that the MT can only be had with RWD (and the weaker engine?)..  is the slushbox performance oriented at all?

I seem to recall building one on the GM site a while back, and you can have the better engine with manual.  But the site is stupid and lists "3.6L blah blah with automatic transmission", and then "Options: 6-speed manual transmission."

[MKII]

Appearance wise not my cup of tea at all. But in standard spec you could buy 2 for the price of 1 loaded spec'd.

Some of the euro reviews are giving the new car good write ups in general.
Comments such as this "First big achievement out on the road: crisp, quick-reacting steering, that’s mirrored by an agile front end. The helm is over-light but little input is lost in translation, and the immediacy with which it turns in is genuinely surprising. As is the taut ride, which knobbles like no Cadillac has ever done. Think M Sport BMW, S line Audi. It's that good."

The CTS also looks stylish, with cowled dials, an intentionally low scuttle (that’s why the sat nav screen is pop-up and the climate control dials are split) and lots of night-time white-LED lighting.

But the cheap thunk of the doors and the creaky, spongy seats reveal this will still carry a sub-5-series price tag. At least predicted equipment levels are generous; the CTS won’t want for equipment

The accuracy of the steering means it’s highly manoeuvrable, while there’s lots of grip and a tail that offers clarity, ESP off, under power. It’s the amount of vertical suspension movement that’s surprising; it’s quite nicely damped, well controlled and, on rougher roads, a refreshing alternative to the Germanic bump and thump.

In this respect, it feels ‘American’, and if people get it, should be enough to make it distinct from those chasing the BMW ideal.

The six-speed manual feels like a lighter, floppier BMW shift, but almost nobody will buy it. The six-speed auto shifts crisply and smoothly, though the ‘learning’ logic behind the shift pattern seems a little slow to do so. At times on the test route, it was plain wrong – luckily, there’s a Tiptronic override.

People won’t flock from their 5-series to buy it, However, it is the most viable US alternative to the German brands that dominate the executive car sector – and its appeal will be bolstered when the V6 diesel arrives

[UmroAyyar]

I've had a soft spot for the CTS since they introduced it. It says 'Look at me'. Its not a flowing lines Jaguar kind of styling, its edgy and getting noticed but not show-off styling.

I like it. AWD makes a very competent case for this Cadillac. Well done. 

[carcrazy]

Domestic designs in general are not my cup of tea, but the CTS is a nice car and it deserves all the praise is receiving. The interior is especially handsome and it wouldn't be out of place in any other luxury brand.
I think GM deserves a lot of credit for the new cars they put out over the past year or two. They are at least competitive in their segments.

[mdxtasy]

Domestic designs in general are not my cup of tea, but the CTS is a nice car and it deserves all the praise is receiving. The interior is especially handsome and it wouldn't be out of place in any other luxury brand.
I think GM deserves a lot of credit for the new cars they put out over the past year or two. They are at least competitive in their segments.

  Finally, something not to be embarassed with.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I was not a fan of the rather cartoonish original CTS's exterior nor the plasticy interior. When first introduced I compared the CTS to the Catera in the showroom and started laughing - the Catera was a solid piece, even if no one bought it.

This new CTS is somethin' though. Stunning on the road, very fresh original design, a coddling interior, performance to match, with options to suit nearly every driver including 6MT, 6AT, CTS4 AWD. I don't find it anywhere near roomy enough in the rear seat, but nor are the 3, A, C, IS.

It's an incredibly convincing statement from GM that they're finally back in the game and in it to win.

[Mitlov]

I seem to recall building one on the GM site a while back, and you can have the better engine with manual.  But the site is stupid and lists "3.6L blah blah with automatic transmission", and then "Options: 6-speed manual transmission."

You certainly can get a stick with the upgraded engine in the States, which gives this car an advantage over the C-Class and IS.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I seem to recall building one on the GM site a while back, and you can have the better engine with manual.  But the site is stupid and lists "3.6L blah blah with automatic transmission", and then "Options: 6-speed manual transmission."

You certainly can get a stick with the upgraded engine in the States, which gives this car an advantage over the C-Class and IS.

But not with AWD I don't think?

[wing]

No I believe AWD requires auto, does in many of the cars unfortunately.

[Mitlov]

But not with AWD I don't think?

That's correct.