Import Buyers Missing Out?I've grown to really like Cadillac's new art & science design language. It's edgy and exciting in the CTS and ideally
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| While the new STS' edges come across a bit softer than the CTS overall, it is still daring enough to get noticed. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
executed in the glorious XLR roadster. While the new STS' edges come across a bit softer overall, it is still daring enough to get noticed, and probably better suited for the slightly older, possibly more conservative buyer that will step up from a CTS to the larger Cadillac. I've spent quite a bit of time in the new model, and with each passing mile have grown to like it more and more. Of course, this isn't always the case with test cars, with some that start out wonderfully accommodating and end up frazzling my nerves.
I first climbed inside the STS last January in Detroit's Cobo Hall, home to the
North American International Auto Show. I
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| While the overall design of the STS interior isn't as daring as BMW's 5-Series or as awe-inspiring as Mercedes-Benz' E-Class, its materials quality, fit, finish and ergonomics are top notch, and equal to its German rivals. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
couldn't help but appreciate just how well put together its interior appeared, especially after being rather unimpressed with the CTS and
SRX cabins. The STS show car, at least, was a solid step forward for Cadillac, not only featuring zero tolerance fit and finish of interior panels and buttons, but also showing that the brand had matured towards understated elegance and away from the flashy computer-tech style of the CTS; a car which features a centre stack that unintentionally looks about as technologically advanced as a mid-'80s PC, with the tall "tower" profile, orange LCD displays, FrontPage '95 do-it-yourself webpage navigation graphics and 5ΒΌ-inch floppy inspired CD slot.
