2008 Cadillac CTS4

Chalk One Up to Good 'Ole American Ingenuity

by James E. Bryson

If you've seen the pictures but have not seen one in person, go to a Cadillac dealer right now. Drop whatever menial task you're doing and go. I mean it. Go. You have got to see the new CTS up close and personal.

Redesigned for the 2008 model year, the square-ish, slab-sided, angular CTS of last year makes way for a more muscular, rounded, sporty looking vehicle. It's definitely an evolution in the right direction. Our first glimpse of the real deal was at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and we were instantly smitten.

When we got the original call about the week's worth of driving, we were delighted. Then came the call that there had been an accident and we wouldn't see the CTS until maybe next year (the problem living away from the Michigan/California cars centers).

Then, we get the rebound call, "I can send you the CTS. How'd that be?"
After a second of silence, the answer came out a bit snarky, "I guess if you have to send it, I can take it off your hands for a few days."

The biggest surprise of all was getting the all-wheel-drive version. Now don't take the next few lines the wrong way, there's nothing better than a sporty rear-wheel-drive car. But to have a 300+ horsepower automobile with a tight suspension, great brakes and the uncertainty of spring weather in the Midwest, all-wheel-drive is looked on as a blessing, not a curse.

As for the CTS' new styling, you either like it or hate it. It's a bit more muscular than the previous version and keeps some of the angles, though they are a bit softer. Most striking is the way the designers sculpted the body to give it more appeal and morphed it into something similar and yet completely different from the previous generation CTS.

Up front, the grill has been elongated and the headlights made more elegant (now housing xenon lights that turn as the steering wheel turns) with LED lights accenting the sides of the housing. At the rear, the taillights have been lengthened and slimed down and the center brake light is now a de facto spoiler; very classy.

Driving the CTS is a Zen experience to the max. With a little understeer at the limit, it scoots around corners, utilizing all the traction of all-wheel-drive for all it's worth. On the highway, it's another matter. Remember, this is a Cadillac and it rides like a 21st century Caddy…tight but not bouncy, with a comfy ride on the Interstate and enough control to make it fun in the twisties.

And with 300+ horses, this thing flies! We were out on the Interstate, carting a friend out into the boonies to get his car from the 'rent's and smack-dab in front of us was a Dodge Neon SRT-4. Now we didn't make any move more aggressive than riding this Neon's tail for about a mile. He got the point and took off. We were able to catch and pace that SRT-4 pretty easily. The funny part was this Neon got off at the same exit we needed. With a knowing nod, we left each other in peace to drive like maniacs on another day.

The only drawback to our driving style, the high horsepower and all-wheel-drive was an observed MPG around 20. For an SUV or truck, that's not bad. For a sedan you might want to drive back and forth to work in, you may want to buy a Chevy Aveo for that task.

The interior is a step above. The lighting at night is spectacular, with accents that run the length of the dash and into the doors. All footwells are lighted as well as the door pulls. It's a classy touch that makes the cabin more appealing and warm.

One little quip: We kept setting the parking brake out of habit, and pulling the hood release since it's in the spot most vehicles that have a foot-activated parking brake have it. Annoying, but not necessarily a deal-breaker.

As it is in every car review, and life for that matter, price must be considered, especially considering the price of gas these days.
Our test car, in the prettiest shade of red (crystal red premium to be exact) based at $34,545.00, including such basics as the 304 hp V6, six-speed automatic, independent suspension at all four corners, 17-inch wheels, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, leather steering wheel with auxiliary controls, dual zone climate control, 8-way power driver seat, airbags all around (including head curtain side bags front and rear), remote keyless entry and OnStar, to scratch the surface.

Of course, unless you're a Mary Kay sales Director, you'd expect much more, so our optioned out car included the Performance Collection ($3300): 18-inch aluminum wheels and tires, xenon headlights that turn with the steering wheel, limited slip differential, performance cooling system, 10-way power seats for both driver and front passenger with memory and heat, heated windshield washer fluid with headlamp washers; the Luxury level one package ($850): theft deterrent alarm system, rain sensing windshield wipers and the aforementioned accent lighting; the ultimate radio upgrade ($3145): MP3/CD/DVD player, 10-speaker Bose surround sound, 40GB hard drive, and a nav screen with XM Nav Traffic; all-wheel drive ($1900); Crystal Red premium paint ($995); sapele wood on center console, instrument panel and door trim ($495); All-wheel ABS with performance disc brakes ($395); compact spare tire ($250); and Sapele wood on the steering wheel and shift know ($150). Add a destination charge of $745 and you get a whopping $46,770.00 grand total…and we do mean GRAND.

The CTS is an awesome car that's about 10 years too late. Let's hope the General can keep these types of interesting, fun to drive cars coming in the near future!