Topic: Test Drive: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon 3.6 AWD

[Autos_Editor]

Cadillac's recently redone CTS wants to play in the Euro sport sedan big-leagues, and indeed, it has the goods to get the attention of those looking at BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, says reviewer Peter Bleakney.

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[mmret]

PRefer the looks of the Sedan but tres cool nonetheless.

Also, correct me if I am wrong but this is the only luxury hi-po sport wagon you can buy, no?

BMW 328xi 230hp
A4 2.0T 211hp (3.2 260ish hp)
Merc...no E350 wagon yet. And even then the E350 sedan/coupe have not yet been blessed with the 300hp V6 from the SLK.

Leaving only....a Passat 3.6 with 280hp, which is short in a few areas of the Caddy. And its going away for 2011.

And who would spend $50k on a Passat wagon when the CTS 3.6 Wagon is $53k loaded?
EDIT: Misread the article. $53k base. But still one has to squint to see the value in said Passat.

[sailor723]

I wanted to like this vehicle but the exterior looks just turn me off. I hate the "pinched" look to the rear roof line.

[Roy]

Also, correct me if I am wrong but this is the only luxury hi-po sport wagon you can buy, no?

BMW 535 Touring
Audi A6 Avant
Saab Sport-Combi

unless you don't consider these sport wagons?  I think these 3 are more 'sport' than the caddy.

The cargo capacity in the article must be with the seats down b/c I recall seeing the cargo area at the autoshow and being highly disappointed with its small size.

Nice job getting a photo op with the Cdn Tenors!

[aknutson]

I think this is a gorgeous car. I've now seen a number of them on the road and they have a lot of presence. People are always doing a double-take and even pointing. Pretty darn good for a grocery-getter.

This was an excellent move by Caddy and I hope it sells well. We need more wagons in NA - not less, as what's currently happening.

  Absolutely. I've also seen a few around town, and on the road it really does carve a unique profile. In a sea of cars that all look the same, it's nice to see a breath of fresh air, even if it isn't really my 'life stage' of vehicle. The problem is convincing someone who has cash in their pocket on the way to the Audi dealer that they should stop at Cadillac first, and I hope that this car is good enough that this might happen.

[Shnak]

Worse C-pillars I've seen yet. Even worse than the Soul's C-pillars, and that's saying a lot!

If visibility was part of the safety ratings (as it should), this car would get a 0 star.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Also, correct me if I am wrong but this is the only luxury hi-po sport wagon you can buy, no?

BMW 535 Touring
Audi A6 Avant
Saab Sport-Combi

unless you don't consider these sport wagons?  I think these 3 are more 'sport' than the caddy.

The cargo capacity in the article must be with the seats down b/c I recall seeing the cargo area at the autoshow and being highly disappointed with its small size.

Nice job getting a photo op with the Cdn Tenors!

The BMW 535 Touring had been replaced by the dismal GT hatchback. I can't remember if the A6 Avant is returning for 2011, there was at least speculation that it was gone now that the Q5 is offered. So far SAAB has only announced their intention of re-entering Canada, who knows if it'll happen or what wil be offered.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Also, correct me if I am wrong but this is the only luxury hi-po sport wagon you can buy, no?

BMW 535 Touring
Audi A6 Avant
Saab Sport-Combi

unless you don't consider these sport wagons?  I think these 3 are more 'sport' than the caddy.

The cargo capacity in the article must be with the seats down b/c I recall seeing the cargo area at the autoshow and being highly disappointed with its small size.

Nice job getting a photo op with the Cdn Tenors!

The BMW 535 Touring had been replaced by the dismal GT hatchback. I can't remember if the A6 Avant is returning for 2011, there was at least speculation that it was gone now that the Q5 is offered. So far SAAB has only announced their intention of re-entering Canada, who knows if it'll happen or what wil be offered.

Audi is still offering the A4 and A6 Avants for 2011MY.

The Volvo V70 appears gone now, with the XC 70 continuting a-la Legacy Wagon gone / Outback continuing.

The CTS Sport Wagon visibility is poor IMO too - the Coupe must be horrendous. Don't think this experimental wagon will get a second generation unless sales pick up quickly. 

[aknutson]

Worse C-pillars I've seen yet. Even worse than the Soul's C-pillars, and that's saying a lot!

If visibility was part of the safety ratings (as it should), this car would get a 0 star.

It's OK, you don't notice the poor visibility through the C-pillar because typically the entire rearward view is blocked in a wagon cause all the stuff it can carry in the back! 

[ktm525]

I checked one of these out and was using my current ride (Volvo V70R) as a benchmark.

-Exterior styling on the Caddy is nice but the pinched roofline and giant C pillars kill it for me.
-Interior was good, seats so so..
-The rear seat access is awful as it takes a few contortionist moves to access. Unaceptable in a wagon IMO. --Poor headoom and legroom for rear seat passengers.
-Other than that it drove nice, good ride and handling trade off. Much smoother and relaxed than my Volvo - ---Brakes. They were ok but not close to the Volvo.
-Engine. No torque down low. Felt really weak compared to the V70. Perhaps due to the lack of torque and slushbox combo? A nice V8 would be sweet in this.

I just don't see the point of a 4000lb wagon that can't haul at least 4 passengers and a ton of cargo.

[orestm]

Ok this is a nice looking car.

But that fact that Cadillac is comparing this car to the 5 series or the A6 is laughable. This car is in no way, shape or form close to those German legends. Pricing it in the same category does not and should not automatically enter it into the same realm as the above mentioned.

This Caddy should be compared to the 3 series or A4 if anything. Unfortunately when you do this, you quickly price it out the contest. Lets be realistic, this car, as nice looking as it is, is not even on the same playing field as the 3 series or A4. Cadillac doesn't even take this car seriously. I have not seen one advertisement for the wagon...... the SRX and sedan are all over the place, but its clear that someone at Cadillac wants the wagon to fail.

[ktm525]

Ok this is a nice looking car.

But that fact that Cadillac is comparing this car to the 5 series or the A6 is laughable. This car is in no way, shape or form close to those German legends. Pricing it in the same category does not and should not automatically enter it into the same realm as the above mentioned.

This Caddy should be compared to the 3 series or A4 if anything. Unfortunately when you do this, you quickly price it out the contest. Lets be realistic, this car, as nice looking as it is, is not even on the same playing field as the 3 series or A4. Cadillac doesn't even take this car seriously. I have not seen one advertisement for the wagon...... the SRX and sedan are all over the place, but its clear that someone at Cadillac wants the wagon to fail.

I completely disagree. I have spent considerable seat time in a A6 avant and think these two cars are very comparable. In fact the Caddy is finished nicer. A few years ago a loaded A6 Avant would price out at almost $80k . It looks like Audi sent in the bean-counters to decontent the car. The new Avant Special edition can be had for around $68k but many of the nice items are now missing. In fact the seats look like the same ones from my old 2003 Passat. The good seats are loooong gone as are many of the nice soft touch materials. The CTS wagon is much larger than the 3 series and the A4.

Exterior Dimensions & Weight         
   CTS Sport Wagon 3.6L Premium AWD   A6 Avant 3.0T quattro Tiptronic   3-Series Sports Wagon 328xi
         
Curb Weight - Automatic (lb.)   No data   4255   3814
Curb Weight - Manual (lb.)   No data   No data   3770
Wheelbase (in.)   113.4   111.9   108.7
Length (in.)   191.6   194.2   178.6
Width (in.)   72.6   79.2   71.5
Height (in.)   59.1   58.2   55.8
Track Front (in.)   61.8   62.7   59.1
Track Rear (in.)   62   62.9   60.2
Ground Clearance (in.)   No data   4.6   No data

[Bubba]

Wouldn't the giant pillar at the rear be the D-pillar?

[ktm525]

dunno? I always used A B C.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Wouldn't the giant pillar at the rear be the D-pillar?

Yup, on a  5 door wagon or hatch, the farthest back pillar is the D. Farthest back on a 4 door sedan is the C.

[ktm525]

Wouldn't the giant pillar at the rear be the D-pillar?

Yup, on a  5 door wagon or hatch, the farthest back pillar is the D. Farthest back on a 4 door sedan is the C.

Where did the C pillar go on the wagon?

Whoops. Found it.


BTW that is a "proper" D pillar.

[aknutson]

The CTS competes with any of the Japanese or German rivals on content, quality, performance and luxury and cuts a few grand off the price to boot. Depreciation on the Caddy is scary, but that's another matter entirely...

[Ex-airbalancer]

Wouldn't the giant pillar at the rear be the D-pillar?

Yup, on a  5 door wagon or hatch, the farthest back pillar is the D. Farthest back on a 4 door sedan is the C.

Where did the C pillar go on the wagon?

Whoops. Found it.


BTW that is a "proper" D pillar.

I believe the D pillars or Cs are larger now because of safety requirements

[Que]

Good job Caddy, make a CTS-V wagon, power problem solved, and offer it with a manual.  Finally a GM product that I would consider.  Plus the fact it doesn't hide that fact its a wagon, like those other Cross (X) Over vehicles, which are pretty much a jacked up sedan with a hatch on the backside. 

[Jaeger]

I really like the look of this thing.  But holy smokes - I bet that d-pillar blind spot could hide a semi. 

Jaeger