The article was originally produced on September 9, 2008, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Cadillac CTS
If you have been looking at cars in the middle class such as the Audi A4, Mercedes C class and BMW 3 series, the Cadillac CTS might be the car for you. If you also have no problem with being seen when you're out and about in town, the CTS is definitely a car you should take a closer look at. Because it is not difficult to understand that whoever has chosen to buy a Cadillac CTS does not want to be unseen. The design language speaks a clear language that you have chosen your own path in life and do not want to be lumped in with the average. The massive grill, the wide end and the angular shapes like a stealth plane just cannot be missed on the street. Even the last model of the CTS was eye-catching and now they have expanded even more on the design. However, not everyone likes it and I think a kind of love-hate exists around this way of designing a car. Maybe because it will quickly become outdated because it is so extreme right now or it is so far ahead that it will last longer than other more sparingly designed cars. I heard a famous racing driver named Thed Björk say the following about the design. Someone must have lost a bet at a corporate party at Cadillac for this car's shape to come about. Maybe in the toughest team in my opinion, because personally I like the tough look and, in my eyes, pretty cool style of the CTS. But the taste is like the cake as it is called. 

Every time I drive an American car, I always have in the back of my mind that, okay, it looks tough on the outside but will look and feel like crap on the inside and only have a lot of exaggerated plastic chrome as interior details. However, the Cadillac CTS makes me change this opinion a bit. For once, the interior feels quite okay for a car from the States, of course there are some details in plastic chrome but much more frugal than it usually is. But no, it's not Audi, BMW, Mercedes feeling on the interior, but not as far from it as it is on other Yankee cars. Years ago, the German interior engineers at the previously mentioned brands had to be tanned every time the Americans tried to make something in the same class. But the Cadillac CTS actually manages to shrink that distance a bit. Even inside the cabin, they have worked with lines that go against the flow and how it normally looks. The center console has a neat shape that contains a display at the top which, when it is down, only shows the most necessary things such as AC, radio etc. If you press a button, the entire display is lifted up and you get access to the navigator and a range of other functions. You can easily operate all functions via the pressure-sensitive screen. One thing that sets this Navigator and audio system apart is that you can get an optional 40 gigabit hard disk where you store all maps, music etc. Everything can be loaded via a USB connector and you can also connect your iPod to this and access your music. Updates of the system are then managed via DVD discs. Very practical! However, the sound system is something that is usually very good in the cars from the other side of the Atlantic and the Cadillac is no exception. Of course, you can get the car with keylessgo. And there is probably no one who can complain about the equipment packages that are available to choose from. The chairs are comfortable but I might have wished for a bit more lateral support. But with all the adjustment options that were handled via electricity on our test, you can easily find a very comfortable driving position. The rear seat is also good in its class. 

When you turn the ignition and the engine starts, it's with a modest hiss. The 3.6-litre, 263-horsepower V6 goes a long way, enough for overtaking and efficient driving. And with an average fuel consumption of ... you can actually drive it quite economically if you want to. Another thing that usually reflects American cars is that the steering and road holding feeling is completely lost in a far too spongy suspension and steering servo. This is also considerably better on the CTS and there is actually a lot of driving pleasure left in the feeling. Moderately stiff dampers and a fairly direct steering provide pleasant road behaviour. What's new for this generation CTS and an obvious hint that it wants to take market share from Audi and other marques is that you can get it with four-wheel drive. Our test example, however, was rear-wheel drive. All in all, the Cadillac CTS is a nice acquaintance and if you want to be seen and not drive a car that everyone else has, this is a very good option. Personally, I'll probably wait until the CTS-V model is released. Then it will be really interesting, it was not long ago Cadillac picked a lap record of 7.59:32 on the North Loop with the new CTS-V!

Cadillac CTS
Base price: From 434 700 SEK
Engine: 3.6 litre V6, 304 hp
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Acceleration: 0-100 in 6.3 sec
Top speed: 249 km/h
Petrol consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer: No data
Guarantees: No details
Web: www.cadillaceurope.com
+ Design language, Good comfort, 40 gig hard disc
- Still not the same feeling as the Germans