Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon first drive review

From £26,990
It's thirsty, expensive and a bit Wayne Rooney but despite the Cadillac's flaws, it is very hard not to like this charismatic motor

Our Verdict

Cadillac CTS

Cadillac CTS

Latest Cadillac offers a premium interior and decent driving dynamics, however the CTS can't compete with its German rivals in Europe

7 September 2011

What is it?

Having charmed us with the saloon and coupé versions of its quite spectacularly mad CTS-V series, Cadillac now offers the same power fix in estate guise. It's also claiming to be the world's fastest load lugger, topping out at 190mph and reaching 62mph in just 4.1secs. Woof.

What’s it like?

Based on the CTS Sport Wagon, the V-spec car gains the same Corvette-based 6.2-litre supercharged V8 deployed in its siblings. This develops a massive 556hp and 551lb ft of torque and laugh-out-loud performance. We tried the six-speed automatic version, complete with paddle-shifters – it isn't as lightning quick as the best German 'boxes, but does allow for a good compromise between relaxed cruising and banzai B-road running.

Response from that titanic engine from any speed is just phenomenal, getting you from merely quick to go-to-jail speed with slightly alarming alacrity. But the Caddy's V8 really needs to sound more inspiring. More NASCAR, more popping and crackling on the over-run would be welcome. As it is, you get a too-refined blare overlaid with a bit of supercharger whine.

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In spite of its weight, the Wagon is surprisingly agile, with steering that has nicely progressive weight if not the greatest feel. Really pile into a corner and you'll begin to feel the cars prodigious heft, though. That said, the brakes do a good job of hauling you back from the brink. Thanks to its trick magnetic damper control, ride and body control are both the right side of good, too.

In the cabin, you'll find surfaces that feel premium, stitching that wouldn't look out of place in a Bentley and a sense that its all been properly put together. It is a simply massive improvement over past efforts.

Should I buy one?

The CTS-V Sport Wagon is also a bit (okay, a lot) wedgy at £73,500, but if you are in the market for mad-power estates, choice is pretty limited. The only obvious contender is the 518bhp Mercedes Benz E63 AMG at £76,020. Of the two, I'm pretty sure which would be the better ownership proposition.

But in its defence, I know the Cadillac would make me smile wider – and more often.

Gavin Conway

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

Price £73,500; Top speed 174mph; 0-62mph 4.1secs; Economy 14.5mpg; CO2 343g/km; Kerbweight 2040kgs; Engine type V8, 6162cc; Power 556bhp at 6100rpm; Torque 551lb ft at 3800rpm; Gearbox 6-speed automatic

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Comments
39

TegTypeR

8 September 2011

The one picture I wanted to look at (the boot / load area) and they've used some bloody stupid lens to lengthen it!

Yes, this is the sort of car that I could fit in to my life very easily. Quick, V8 powered and spacious. The real selling point for me is that it would certainly be individual (I can't see many being sold in the UK) although the depreciation would be a killer.

 

 

It's all about the twisties........

jackjflash

8 September 2011

[quote TegTypeR](I can't see many being sold in the UK) [/quote]

This is true

[quote TegTypeR]although the depreciation would be a killer[/quote]

This is not

I suspect you won't be buying this new anyway Teg, and if you do go looking, find the manual 6 spd.

You don’t need a weatherman
To know which way the wind blows
—Robert Allen Zimmerman

DKW

8 September 2011

[quote Autocar]The only obvious contender is the 518bhp Mercedes Benz E-Class 63 AMG at £76,020[/quote] And the Alpina B5 Touring. Also the Audi S6 Avant with the new 4.0 TFSi V8 turbo is up on their configurator now - that should be able to keep up with traffic.

michael knight

8 September 2011

Love it. Could do with some added 'Stealth' to give it a bit more attitude.....

http://www.autocar.co.uk/forums/data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSU...

kaman

8 September 2011

Looks amazing shame they can not get that final one or two percent right that makes the German wagons so compelling but so predictable and the same car with a different badge

Don't judge me by my past, I don't live there anymore 

Fidji

8 September 2011

This has the same engine as the Corvette ZR1, apart from with about 80bhp less. Since Corvettes are now sold through Cadillac dealerships, then surely they would fit the ZR1's supercharger to boost output to 640bhp.

Mr_H

8 September 2011

So, it's an uglified SAAB 9-3 Sportwagon, with a huge rear blind-spot, a huge, thirsty V8 engine that only Rockerfeller can afford to re-fuel every 5 minutes, with a horrible American-style interior........

Daniel Grazier

8 September 2011

Or, for a fraction of the cost:

6.1 V8

www.Carmotive.com

Leslie Brook

8 September 2011

[quote Mr_H]So, it's an uglified SAAB 9-3 Sportwagon, with a huge rear blind-spot, a huge, thirsty V8 engine that only Rockerfeller can afford to re-fuel every 5 minutes, with a horrible American-style interior.....[/quote] It's also different. You don't have to buy it, but for some it's a refreshing change from the German norm.


Mr_H

8 September 2011

Who said I liked German cars? For the record, I don't.

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