The cargo hold is nicely finished, offers a fabric cover, and is accessed by a motorized liftgate.
Those comfortable with its dimensions and at-hand storage facilities should find the CTS Sport Wagon’s cabin is executed with a techy and upscale atmosphere. Various displays, accent lighting and a pop-up navigation screen add to the feel, and touches of wood and exposed leather stitching signal a luxurious overtone.
There’s more exciting visual character than a comparable BMW or Mercedes, and the build quality and materials are very good, too.
Moving Along
Under the hood, GM’s 3.6 litre direct-injection V6 sends 304 horsepower to the road via a six-speed automatic. The engine is buttery-smooth when worked gently, and the automatic gearbox offers smooth shifts and a reasonably quick manual mode.
Unfortunately, no manual is available or planned in the standard Sport Wagon application.
With AWD and stability control, the CTS4 moved confidently through a week of late-December driving in Northern Ontario. The ride is solid and heavy, and the suspension is set nicely between stiff and comfy. All in all, there’s a responsive, planted and comfortable dynamic on most any surface.
The AWD system sends loads of power to the rear wheels, and the stability control can be fully defeated by enthusiast drivers wishing to steer with the throttle on empty roads. On the highway, noise levels are kept in check to well above legal speeds, and the frameless wipers work efficiently to beyond 120 km/h.
Mileage seemed a touch thirsty on my watch, though cold temperatures and excessive use of the remote start probably didn’t help.
Those comfortable with its dimensions and at-hand storage facilities should find the CTS Sport Wagon’s cabin is executed with a techy and upscale atmosphere. Various displays, accent lighting and a pop-up navigation screen add to the feel, and touches of wood and exposed leather stitching signal a luxurious overtone.
 |
| Under the hood, GM’s 3.6 litre direct-injection V6 sends 304 horsepower to the road via a six-speed automatic. |
There’s more exciting visual character than a comparable BMW or Mercedes, and the build quality and materials are very good, too.
Moving Along
Under the hood, GM’s 3.6 litre direct-injection V6 sends 304 horsepower to the road via a six-speed automatic. The engine is buttery-smooth when worked gently, and the automatic gearbox offers smooth shifts and a reasonably quick manual mode.
Unfortunately, no manual is available or planned in the standard Sport Wagon application.
With AWD and stability control, the CTS4 moved confidently through a week of late-December driving in Northern Ontario. The ride is solid and heavy, and the suspension is set nicely between stiff and comfy. All in all, there’s a responsive, planted and comfortable dynamic on most any surface.
The AWD system sends loads of power to the rear wheels, and the stability control can be fully defeated by enthusiast drivers wishing to steer with the throttle on empty roads. On the highway, noise levels are kept in check to well above legal speeds, and the frameless wipers work efficiently to beyond 120 km/h.
Mileage seemed a touch thirsty on my watch, though cold temperatures and excessive use of the remote start probably didn’t help.
 |
| The cargo hold is nicely finished, offers a fabric cover, and is accessed by a motorized liftgate. |