First Drive: 2008 Cadillac CTS
About that pedal: It drives Cadillac’s 3.6-liter V-6, which now has direct injection to make 304 hp. The base V-6 makes 263 hp; we had a chance to drive both. The uplevel engine doesn’t feel 40-plus hp stronger, but that’s mostly a testament to the unexpected strength of the regular one. Both V-6s move the CTS swiftly, with a gratifying exhaust snarl under hard acceleration. Aggressive drivers might still choose the high-output engine, as it gets stronger at higher revs – and on the highway, it scoots a bit quicker from 60 to 80 mph — but the base car should still induce plenty of smiles.
The CTS comes with three suspension setups, more or less reflecting base, touring and sport tuning. You probably don’t need the sport suspension unless you’re looking to do some serious corner-carving. Even on twisty mountain roads, we noticed little difference between the sport and touring. Neither one beats you up over the bumps, which isn’t something we can say for every $35,000 sport sedan.
The interior hits a lot of the right notes. The center controls are a bit busy – below the navigation system, I counted 40 buttons and three knobs — but the craftsmanship elevates Cadillac, and possibly this entire segment, to new levels. The dashboard is formed from stitched materials that give it a leather-wrapped look. The chrome and wood trim integrate well, and there are none of the panel gaps that plague the larger STS. Infotainment options are equally impressive, with real-time navigation traffic, full iPod integration and a 40GB hard drive that records live radio with TiVo-like efficiency. Provided you stay on the same channel, it can rewind, fast-forward and pause over a 60-minute buffer.
The seats could use a bit more padding, though; if you sit down hard, you can feel the entire chair flex. Interior quality takes a modest dive in the backseat. Most of our other complaints relate to pricing and equipment. Optional AWD can put the starting price past $36,000, and even then the CTS comes standard with cheapo leatherette upholstery, a manual passenger seat and no moonroof.
All told, those are nitpicks. As far as driving entertainment and overall versatility go, this car rivals an Infiniti G35 or Mercedes C-Class. For Cadillac, that means the Escalade might not be the only car the import shoppers consider.
We'll be updating this post with a photo gallery later today so make sure to check back.
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K.M.
You said that the suspensions (3) don't make any difference to you - at least for the way you felt. So does the car handle well on twisty mountain roads? I know that the Infiniti and BMW does that job very well, but would like your opinion on the Caddy too?
I test drove a CTS and I was less impressed. To someone who's accustomed to driving solid-performing imports, the CTS was a dissapointment. Frankly, it reminded me of the Detroit Mush that I grew up with. More poised and confident, certainly, than my dad's old Fleetwood, but nowhere near in the same league as my Audi A6. And, since you cannot practically get a manual transmission, your options for an intimate driver/engine relationship are nil. Even the "manual shift" option on the supplied automatic has detectable slippage and hesitance between shifts.
Handling is flat, but uncommunicative...you get no road feel through the wheel, nor the suspension. Quite possibly this is the intent. The leather on the seats is slippery and the side bolsters inadequate for truly inspired mountain driving, so it's good that the car does not encourage it. Although it's not typical in a car of this price class, I'd be inclined to "upgrade" the seats to high-quality cloth, remove the steering damper (it was obvious that one was fitted) and may even suggest a change to firmer suspension bushings. This car should have potential, as it has sufficient power and the glory of rear wheel drive. The salesman said that this particular CTS was fitted with the sport suspension, so there was certainly no "upgrade" to be had from this point in terms of getting a sporting feel. I am certain that I would find the lesser suspensions irresponsibly soft.
The dashboard is WAY too busy, IMO. One should be able to plop down in the seat of a car and drive it, without having to study the dashboard first - that is "ergonomics 101"...user manuals are not supplied with computers, and one should not be required to safely drive a car.
And, finally, this car is awash in "new car smell" so powerful it overwhelms. I don't want to know how many carcinogenic compounds are in that smelly soup. I would drive the car with the windows down a long time if I bought one.
All told, it's a big step forward for Caddy, but there's a HUGE gulf in the performance and fun-to-drive department between this and any import I've driven.
Dave,
I highly doubt you have driven the car. There is no way these cars are in Denver already, so I will call your bluff.
Did you really drive this car?
John, there are currently a handful of 2008's in the Denver area in stock. I do, however, disagree with his driving impressions. Plus, in regards to : "The dashboard is WAY too busy, IMO. One should be able to plop down in the seat of a car and drive it, without having to study the dashboard first - that is "ergonomics 101"...user manuals are not supplied with computers, and one should not be required to safely drive a car." For someone extolling the virtues of imports (read German) he has overlooked the famously nonintuitive BMW idrive.
Yes, German cars are not known for their intuitiveness in the dashboard area. They are the worst offenders. In fact, the funny thing is that I-Drive was supposed to solve this (same with Mercedes' mouse-like Kommand) problem, but laughably made it worse.
I also think it is a mistake to compare the CTS with the A6. The A6 is way more expensive.
Magazines will rightly test it with the 3-Series and A4, where it will almost certainly beat the latter (what with Audi's FWD and all).
Lastly, don't lump all imports in with Audi. The CTS interior is better than most of them even if Audi is still king of the interior.
Thanks for the correction, btw.
Dave,
Do you work for Toyota/Lexus? VW/Audi? Ford/Lincoln?
Just wondering... your "review" is awash in BS, so powerful it overwhelms. I just called Rickenbaugh Cadillac-Volvo, Mccaddon Cadillac Buick Pontiac GMC & Massey Cadillac in Lonetree and none of them have the CTS. I live in Denver and have been waiting to put down my hard earned cash since January for one. I'm prepared to spend upwards of $45K. I would by one this afternoon had you not been lying.
Rob, just because you haven't test driven one, there's NO WAY you can proof that dave is not telling the truth. In fact, his opinion is 1 of the opinions that you can accept or reject. It's up to you. Just 'coz he doesn't like the ride doesn't mean that he works for the other brands. And you know what...if he's in fact telling you the truth...then u just wasted ur hard earned $$$ on a POS, just 'coz you THINK that this is a good car, and not listen to somone else's review.
Now what I do find is that your comment is having some HUGE issue with creditbility...you don't buy a house without looking and going into it, you don't marry someone without seeing and knowing that person, and yet, to you, you'll buy this car back ni Jan...without ever seeing, driving or knowing anything about it. I have NEVER heard or seen any smart person dumping $45K without at least knowing what they'll be getting first.
Amuro Ray,
I called the dealer ships in Denver. NONE OF THEM HAVE ONE OR HAD ONE ON THE LOT! Try reading the posts before replying. It helps immensely.
Also, I said I was ready to buy, but what I did NOT say is that I was going to buy the car without driving. Again, this is where reading comes into play.
Good job Ray, keep up the good work.
Rob in Denver.
Rob,
"Try reading the posts before replying. It helps immensely."
Yes, I do wear glasses, but guess what, I think you do need a pair now. With modern technology on our internet browser, you can easily do a search on the word "Denver." Check, man, just check!
Dave never said that he test drove the vehicle in Denver!!!!!!!
It's Panic who stated that there're a few in stock in Denver!
Thus, again, you can't NOT proof that Dave's lying, 'coz he could have driven the vehicle in, I dunno, Detroit? New York? San Francisco? Anywhere else but Denver?
So before you are saying that someone else's review is a BS, make sure that you've all your facts straight!
If you want to be taken seriously you might want to learn how to spell 'credibility'.
One more thing Rob,
"Also, I said I was ready to buy, but what I did NOT say is that I was going to buy the car without driving."
And yeah, that just proves that I've read your statement carefully, and understand every word of it, without making any assumption. May be what you needed to do is to write more clear to state your intention.
Thanks sysncm. But mind you, there's NO spell checker on this blog, and being taken seriously is not by the word you spell, but the statement you make...if you can only understand that.
Amuro gets pretty excited when he writes. I called him on it once and got the same response.
Did GM figure out a way to paint their XM/Onstar antennae, or is there still a black wart on the roof?
Amuro Ray,
When did I say anything about glasses? Are you sure you know how to read and type?
I've checked all over the state of Colorado and not a single CTS. I'm very desperate to buy this car and willing to drive upwards of 450 miles to drive and purchase if I like it.
Dave is full of crap. Nothing Amuro Ray can do about it. The guy lied, especially since every review, even the LA Times who HATES GM loves the car and its ride.
I think Dave drives a tiny Corolla with a ricer wing. Grow up kid, quit writing fake reviews.
If any dealers in the state of Colorado want to speak up and settle this, I'll admit fault when one does.
Amuro Ray,
When did I say anything about glasses? Are you sure you know how to read and type?
I've checked all over the state of Colorado and not a single CTS. I'm very desperate to buy this car and willing to drive upwards of 450 miles to drive and purchase if I like it.
Dave is full of crap. Nothing Amuro Ray can do about it. The guy lied, especially since every review, even the LA Times who HATES GM loves the car and its ride.
I think Dave drives a tiny Corolla with a ricer wing. Grow up kid, quit writing fake reviews.
If any dealers in the state of Colorado want to speak up and settle this, I'll admit fault when one does.
Dave is full of crap or he is talking about the 2007 car. Everyone knows a RWD CAddy with 50/50 weight distribution is sportier than a front heavy, understeering A6 or any other Audi that isnt an S model. His entire "review" was a crock and showed that he is either stupid, incredibly biased, a liar or maybe all three. The CTS will run circles around the A6 3.2 and cost less to boot.
Hasn't Anyone noticed that this entire sites reviews are bad against nearly all General Motors, Ford Company, And What ever the Chrylser Group is going to call themselves. It is a bunch of Riceroni in here. Every Japan made car is made to look like it is the greatest thing in the world on this site.
Oh and Amuro Ray. I am with Rob on this. Stop trying to make an argument with everyone who posts against what you think.
Hey folks,
I'm the Internet Manager of a GM dealership. I just ran a 1000 mile search. A few dealerships have the 2008 CTS in-stock, mostly near where they are produced.
Joe
It is funky, I searched autotrader, several locations, and lots of them, but NOBODY can provide a picture of the car.
To answer Amuro's first question, the base suspension drives something like a sporty family car (think Mazda6 or Saturn Aura -- I know, FWD vs RWD notwithstanding) with controlled but noticeable body roll and a touch of vagueness in the steering. The touring setup is a big step up; it takes corners naturally, and the steering feels much sharper. The routes we drove were pretty advanced: elevation changes, off-camber turns and plenty of opportunities for wheel hop. Very impressed how buttoned-down the CTS stayed. The touring and sport suspensions stay on target with minimal body roll, and the wheels remain grounded over just about everything. Hit a quick dip or rise, and the car regains its poise immediately afterward. My experience in the 3 Series and G35 is mostly on city and suburban roads -- both very tight cars, though, and it would be interesting to see how they fare over this route.
I recently rented a new C-class here in Germany & I can say that I prefer the pix of the new CTS to the "being in one" interior of the Merc. The only thing I really liked wuz the motorized navi screen. The interior felt a bit cheap & plasticky IMO.
Where is the photo gallery?
your car is UGLY
Kyle C.: For the record, the SITE and it's OFFICAL reviews are pretty balanced, it's the comment boards that seem to be full of wingnuts.
And what the heck,, I want a CTS. But unless I get promoted to regional VP of exceutive synergy (and my company seems to have more than enough of those kind of idiots) it's ain't happening (this year, heh heh heh)
But keep talkin' smack about them Caddys people.
I might be able to buy one off lease for 1/2 price in 3 years. *rubs hands gleefully*