Now to the drive, and I truly liked the feel of the CTS. It sits squarely on the road, and inspires confidence. The ride might be unfamiliar to any older Cadillac owners, but I felt that it suited the sporty design of the vehicle.
I would liken it to a European sports sedan in many ways. In fact, although it is RWD, I found it to have the feeling of the Saturn Aura in many ways, just much better appointed. Now just think about that for a moment. I'd say it wasn't a bad comparison, considering that the Saturn Aura is basically a European design, and it won the North American Car of the Year Award last year!
You've probably all seen the TV ads for this car which mentions "be the hammer". I would say that the quote rings true to a point. The CTS feels a little like a luxury muscle car in many ways, and although it might not be the quickest car in its class, it does give you the feeling of driving a powerful car.
The ride qualities are, as I have said, quite European in feel. The CTS offers a reasonably comfortable, if slightly firm, ride at normal speeds. However, tramp on the right hand pedal, and the car can mix it up with the best of them.
I enjoyed my week in the new CTS. It offers true luxury motoring, with an agile and sprightly ride. It is also extremely well appointed, especially when you take the price factor into consideration. All in all, I'd say that Cadillac is onto a winner with this one, and I feel that there will be quite a few sports sedan shoppers making a first time trip to their local Cadillac dealer. Now who'd have thought that years ago?
With prices starting at under $40,000, the CTS does have a distinct advantage over much of its competition.
The aggressive styling might not be to everyone's taste.
Buyers will have to endure the older Cadillac owners constantly saying "Back in my day, a Cadillac was a Cadillac" (whatever that means?).
photo:Kevin Corrigan
I would liken it to a European sports sedan in many ways. In fact, although it is RWD, I found it to have the feeling of the Saturn Aura in many ways, just much better appointed. Now just think about that for a moment. I'd say it wasn't a bad comparison, considering that the Saturn Aura is basically a European design, and it won the North American Car of the Year Award last year!
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| The new CTS will attract new faces into dealerships. |
You've probably all seen the TV ads for this car which mentions "be the hammer". I would say that the quote rings true to a point. The CTS feels a little like a luxury muscle car in many ways, and although it might not be the quickest car in its class, it does give you the feeling of driving a powerful car.
The ride qualities are, as I have said, quite European in feel. The CTS offers a reasonably comfortable, if slightly firm, ride at normal speeds. However, tramp on the right hand pedal, and the car can mix it up with the best of them.
I enjoyed my week in the new CTS. It offers true luxury motoring, with an agile and sprightly ride. It is also extremely well appointed, especially when you take the price factor into consideration. All in all, I'd say that Cadillac is onto a winner with this one, and I feel that there will be quite a few sports sedan shoppers making a first time trip to their local Cadillac dealer. Now who'd have thought that years ago?
 |
With prices starting at under $40,000, the CTS does have a distinct advantage over much of its competition.
 |
The aggressive styling might not be to everyone's taste.
 |
Buyers will have to endure the older Cadillac owners constantly saying "Back in my day, a Cadillac was a Cadillac" (whatever that means?).
photo:Kevin Corrigan
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