Category Archives: Cadillac Models

Comparing the 2008 Cadillac STS-V and the 2009 Cadillac CTS Sedan

Posted on by
Reply

I have been shopping for a nice, low mile 2008 Cadillac STS-V.   After test driving a new 2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Model, it struck me that a 2009 Cadillac CTS Premium Collection might be a terrific car for me, in that it captures all the cool features in the current Cadillacs, almost fits my budget, is a newer vehicle, and gets the high MPG that the STS-V would not.

Both of these vehicles are ‘fully loaded’, and share a lot of features.  The STS-V has a longer wheelbase (116.4″ vs 113.4″) which goes to more rear leg room,  and weighs more (4,394 lbs vs 3874 lbs largely due to the added performance gear).  Otherwise, what features would one have that the other would not?

Equipment on the STS-V not available in the CTS or similar but different:

  • Engine, Northstar supercharged 4.4L V8 DOHC MFI, Variable Valve Timing (469 hp (349 kW] @ 6400 rpm, 439 lb-ft of torque [595 N-m] @ 3900 rpm) 13/19 mpg
  • Head-Up Display, 4-color, reconfigurable, with digital readouts for vehicle speed, selected gear, Adaptive Cruise Control indicator, audio system information, high-beam indicator, fuel level and 5 language capability (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish)
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Side Blind Zone Alert
  • Steering wheel, heated
  • Headlamps, IntelliBeam, automatic low/high beam control
  • Audio system with navigation, AM/FM stereo with Bose 5.1 Studio Surround sound system, 6-disc in-dash CD/DVD changer and DVD-based advanced navigation, Bluetooth phone interface, includes seek-and-scan, digital clock, Radio Data System (RDS), TheftLock, AudioPilot automatic volume control, weather band, digital signal processing, rear passenger A/V jacks and 15 speakers
  • Premium Steering Gear, ZF
  • Tires, P255/45R18 front and P275/40R19 rear, Pirelli, W-rated, EMT, blackwall
  • Chassis:  Sigma 1 with FE4 suspension

Features available on the 2009 Cadillac CTS not available on the 2008 Cadillac STS-V:

  • 3.6L Variable Valve Timing V6 DI Direct Injection (304 hp [226.7 kW] @ 6400 rpm, 273 lb-ft of torque [368.6 N-m] @ 5200 rpm) 17/26 mpg
  • Adaptive headlight system
  • Accent Lighting
  • Ultraview sunroof (the STS-V has a sunroof, but not the Ultraview)
  • Audio system with navigation, AM/FM stereo with CD/DVD player, MP3 playback, Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround Sound 10-speaker system and HDD-based navigation with XM NavTraffic/Real Time Weather, 8″ pop-up screen, Radio Data System (RDS), 40GB Hard Drive Device (HDD), USB with audio connectivity with steering wheel controls
  • Tires, P235/50R18 V-rated all-season, blackwall
  • Chassis:  Sigma 2 with FE2 suspension (or FE3 with Summer Tire package)

My conclusion?  After driving both, the Cadillac CTS Sedan has more edgy styling.  Clearly the more expensive Cadillac STS-V has more features even than a Premium Collection CTS.  It will likely depend on the examples of each I find in my shopping as to which one gets the final nod.

I’ll have the keyless access in my Cadillac please

Posted on by
Reply

Tucked into the Premium package of the Cadillac SRX and Cadillac CTS or available as a separate feature of the Luxury or Performance models is the Luxury Level 2 option package.  Here is the example from the 2010 CTS order book:

Luxury Level Two Package, includes (KB6) heated/ventilated front seats, (AM9) split-folding rear seat, (N38) power rake wheel and telescopic steering column, (ATH) Keyless Access-Passive Entry, (BTV) Keyless Access-Remote Start (not available with [MN6] 6-speed manual transmission), (BTM) Keyless Access-Keyless Ignition, (K14) Automatic cabin odor filtration and (UD7) Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist

I had seen “Keyless Access” as a feature of the SRX Premium, but that simply confused me.    All Cadillacs tend to be keyless access right?  They all have remotes to lock or unlock the doors, etc.

What Cadillac is featuring with the Keyless Access Options is the idea that you never have to get the key fob out of your pocket or purse, it just has to be with you.

  • Keyless Access – Passive Entry: allows you to simply walk up to the car and open the door.  If it senses you have the key with you, the door unlocks.
  • Keyless Access – Keyless Ignition: press the brake pedal, and push a button to start the Cadillac.  If it senses you have the key with you, the car starts.

These may sound to you like “so what”? options, but let me assure you that in person in the Cadillac, they are very cool.  It is fun to simply walk up to the Cadillac, and have it recognize you and open the doors.  It is fun to push a button to start the car, and have it crank right up.  Of course the gauges and digital displays on the instrument panels of current Cadillacs are busy at startup putting on a digital display, so it all becomes entertainment.

Keyless Access is a desirable feature, and one I will shop for in my next Cadillac.

The Surprising Result of Test Drives

Posted on by
2

Recently I have done weekend test drives of the Cadillac CTS-V, the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, the Cadillac Escalade ESV, and the Cadillac SRX 3L.  You can find all of my test drives under the ‘Test Drive‘ tag.

I have enjoyed each vehicle.  A part of testing each vehicle is trying to understand that individual design, what the Design Team had in mind, who the target audience for the vehicle is.    With the Cadillac CTS-V, I fit within the demographic that the team is targeting.   People who want maximum sport, with all the luxury appointments of a Cadillac.   That one was easy for me to ‘get’ and to understand.

The Cadillac Escalade ESV offers amazing space and storage ability, along with 3 rows of seating.  It is a terrific vehicle for when you need to tow, or carry a large family, or frequently carry large items.  It drives well, and is extremely well mannered regardless of size, but especially for a large vehicle.

The Cadillac Sport Wagon offers the feel of the sedan — lower weight, lower center of gravity, more sporty handling — while providing easy access storage space and utility.  The Cadillac Team has carefully engineered the cargo storage and seat configurations with actual uses of the Sport Wagon in mind.

The Cadillac SRX was a real surprise to me.  The inherent goodness of this vehicle is very high.  The package as a whole is delightful.   Integration of a digital display in the dash, along with thoughtful features like folding mirrors and predictive pathing on the back up camera display push this Cadillac very high on my list of desirable vehicles.  Before I drove one, I was pleased that the SRX was selling well for Cadillac, but would never consider it as a daily driver.  After driving one, I not only appreciate why they sell so well, but would consider purchasing one.

And therein lies the interesting side-effect of my test drives.  My palate is expanding.  I have come to appreciate an even wider variety of Cadillac designs and choices.  While I am fond of pointing out that “every Cadillac does not have to be a CTS-V”, now I feel that more than ever.

I have been shopping for a low-mile 2008 Cadillac STS-V as my next vehicle.   Now I plan to consider a low-mile 2009 Cadillac CTS Premium Model as well until the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V prices come down to my budget.  Before I valued the V-series packaging and absolute acceleration/braking/cornering; now I appreciate the balanced packaging of the current Cadillac line.