2006 Cadillac STS V6 Road Test

a zero to 100 km/h time of only 7.1 seconds is achievable, and that's very commendable for a V6-powered sedan tipping the scales at 1,750 kg (3,857 lbs). (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

The operation of this mill is polished and unobtrusive until the right foot sinks, at which point an exhilarating high-performance growl imparts a sophisticated exhaust note. And there is plenty of punch on-tap to accompany the ear candy, as the engine delivers its maximum torque of 252 pound-feet at 3,200 rpm. En route to its 6,500 rpm redline, the power output remains steady as the 5-speed STS autobox smoothly switches cogs. Should the desire arise, a manual-mode allows greater humanoid input into the shifting process, but lest we forget, this is not the hot V8 edition of Cadillac's midsize 4-door. Nevertheless, a zero to 100 km/h time of only 7.1 seconds is achievable, and that's very commendable for a V6-powered sedan tipping the scales at 1,750 kg (3,857 lbs).

But race track performance is not what the V6 STS is all about, it's about comfort, luxury, reasonable fuel economy, and ease of operation; and by this definition my tester was a straight-A performer.

Partially because it wasn't a heavily optioned unit and partially because Cadillac designed it so, the instrumentation and switchgear in my tester's cabin was straightforward and intuitive to operate. There was no complicated i-Drive controller or mysterious multi-function switches to confuse the techno-challenged, such as I, which could be a strong selling

Anyone accustomed to the business office of a modern vehicle could easily assume command of the basic STS without needing to study an encyclopedia-thick manual. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

point in the ever-expanding gray-wave market. Anyone accustomed to the business office of a modern vehicle could easily assume command of the basic STS without needing to study an encyclopedia-thick manual, or worse yet, CD ROM. Try that with a 7-Series Bimmer!

But don't mistake simplicity for meagerness, the STS is plenty loaded even in its base form. My test unit raised the luxury ante slightly with a Preferred Package group of options that included heated front seats, memory settings for numerous functions, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, rain sensing wipers, and an air filtration system. Many additional upgrades are available beyond this package, including a 15-speaker premium audio system, heated and cooled front seats, a moonroof, navigation system and much more.