CTS shifts it up a notch
New options and upgrades make 2004 an exciting year for Cadillac's sports sedan

There's a lot going on with Cadillac's CTS for 2004, including the breakthrough revelation that hey, I'm getting used to its edgy, new wave styling. I'm not saying I like it all that much, but at least I no longer shy away like a startled horse when one comes into my line of sight, which will surely come as a great relief to the folk at Cadillac.

The other big CTS news for 2004 is that a team will be entered in a U.S. racing series this year. And to further help boost its sporting image and lure some buyers from those traditional Eurosport sedans, Cadillac is introducing a 400 hp, 5.7-litre V8 version called the CTS-V. The CTS also acquires an all-new, 3.6-litre V6 with variable valve timing and 255 horsepower that motivates models equipped with an automatic transmission.

All this makes the base CTS somewhat old news, but I hadn't driven the car since its press introduction in the fall of 2001 (it arrived in 2002 as a '03 model) and aside from the most recent changes, our tester also came equipped with the sport suspension package.

The base model with 5-speed manual transmission is priced at $39,000. Our tester came with the $2,600 Sport Package, which brought the price, with taxes and destination charge, to $42,750.

The CTS, you'll recall, is a mid-size, 4-door, rear-wheel drive sport sedan, and a banner-bearer for Cadillac's new styling theme, which is based on "high-tech geometric influences, sharp forms, angular shapes and crisp edges." I couldn't have put it better myself. It's a look you'll either love or not. My own attitude, as noted, is thawing, if not exactly warming up.

A stubby gear lever dwells in a rectangular cutout in the console (a perfect crumb catcher), with cupholders that swallow a mid-size coffee cup just behind. Leather-clad seats have firm thigh bolsters and rib bolsters that reach right to your shoulders. They're comfortable and support you very well. The rear seat area is adequate for two, although headroom is at a bit of a premium. There's a 362 litre trunk in the square-shaped rear. Highway noise levels are low, the headlamps are decent but the windscreen washers marginal. Most controls are found where you'd expect them to be, all within easy reach and working with smooth precision.

The CTS comes with all the equipment you'd expect. Standard fare includes a driver information centre, heated power seats, auto dimming mirror, leather upholstery, six airbags, OnStar communication system, anti-lock brakes, traction and cruise control and much more.

The 3.2-litre V6 engine is almost a complete rework of the engine that powered the CTS' predecessor, the Catera, and incorporates a beefed up cylinder block, forged steel crankshaft, lubrication and cooling improvements, new heads and a drive-by-wire throttle system. It is rated at 220 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 revs. The Getrag 5-speed shifter is accurate, throws are short, it feels good to use and works well with the engine's power and torque curves. Poor road conditions didn't allow accurate zero to 100 km/h times, but I'd guess it manages this in just over seven seconds. Good mid-range power makes the car enjoyable to drive, and passing and merging safe propositions.

The base CTS' short/long arm front and multi-link rear suspension has been retuned for 2004, with new shocks and mounts designed primarily to deliver a smooth ride without compromising performance. The Sport Package adds rear load levelling, Speed-Pro variable assist steering, the StabiliTrak anti-skid system, 17-inch painted alloy wheels and P225/50R17 H-rated tires. Performance pads boost the performance of the 4-wheel disc brakes, with anti-lock system.

On the road you get a sense of the solid structure under the CTS that gives the suspension the base it needs to do its job. Driven moderately hard the car has a supple feel. The power steering feel is linear and the car turns into corners nicely,tracking through them accurately with minimal and well controlled body roll.

Cadillac chose to hide the traction control off switch, but I eventually found it in the glove box. Come on people, this is supposed to be a 'sport' Cadillac, not a car aimed at geriatric grannies and grandpas. The switch should be where you can more readily access it.

With the traction control disabled, the torquey motor is happy to spin up the rear wheels and there's now a long, arced swath in the snowbank lining my driveway, which I tend to treat as a 100 metre long rally stage. You tend to forget how much fun rear-wheel drive can be.

I have no complaints with the CTS. It's pretty fast, a good handler, comfortable inside and kind of fun to drive. And did I mention I'm getting used to the styling?

Immediate competition:
Acura TL,
Audi A4,
BMW 3 Series,
Infiniti G35,
Lexus IS 300,
Nissan Maxima,
Saab 9-5