Cadillac CTS an American Sports Sedan

In the 90s when Cadillac was marketing the Cadillac Seville STS alongside the Cadillac Eldorado ETC, magazines at the time would often compare/contrast the two.  Besides the obvious fact that the STS had 4 doors and the ETC had 2 doors, they also were targeted at somewhat different audiences.

The ETC was viewed as a classically American personal luxury vehicle.  It had more American touches — more chrome, more color.

The STS was described as a more European luxury vehicle.  Less chrome, more mono-color design cues, more muted styling.

When you look at the Cadillac CTS of today, it uses a variety of chrome accents — on the door handles, the seat back, the trunk — to recall the classic Cadillacs of yesterday. Certainly it has unusual, look at me styling.  The first generation CTS styling was inspired by the Stealth Fighter (F-117 Nighthawk).  That aircraft had sharp creases and angled surfaces as a way to minimize radar cross-section.  The current, second generation CTS is an evolution of the original design, merging in elements of the Cadillac Sixteen look and styling.

I don’t think anyone would claim the Cadillac CTS is not ‘American’ enough.  I think it instantly suggests to most knowledgeable viewers visually that it is an American car.   Certainly in the V-Series you also get the classic American approach to muscle — there is no replacement for displacement.  With the LSA Supercharged 6.2L V8 making 556 hp it is hard to argue with the ‘too much is just enough’ approach to power plants.  In today’s market however, the base 3L V6 with 270 hp and the Performance/Premium CTS with 304 hp seem well heeled, until you consider the competition.  Many of the competitors in this market sport 330 hp – 385 hp powerplants with similar fuel economy to the CTS V6 Sedans.

Clearly it is time for Cadillac to task GM Powertrain to step up their game.  Even a 3.6L with the same tuning and efficiency of the current 3.0L V6 would make 324 hp.   So I don’t think it is a problem that the engines are not capable.  If Cadillac can’t get the power needed from the 3.6L then send in the Supercharged 3.6L, or offer the 6.2L LS3 V8 as an option.  The high feature 3.6L V6 likely costs MORE for Cadillac and GM than the LS3 V8 does to produce due to the higher feature set of the V6.   So my personal favorite best of both worlds would be to offer the LS3 V8 as a $2K SAVINGS off the current base CTS — a CTS V8 for less money lol.

American Luxury cars — Cadillacs — historically bring MORE power than needed.  The current CTS V6 powerplants are adequate.  Adequate is not enough in this class.  Luxury Performance cars need plentiful power, and Cadillacs should have class-leading horsepower.  Bring it, Cadillac!

Cadillac CTS Sedan — What do you get for the money?

There are a variety of options and features that can be ordered on the Cadillac CTS.  However, there are the main branches for 2010 models for the CTS Sedan:

  • 3.0L CTS Sedan

    • Base RWD $35K or AWD $38K
    • Luxury RWD $38K or AWD $41K
    • Performance RWD $40K or AWD $42K
  • 3.6L CTS Sedan

    • Performance RWD $42K or AWD $43K
    • Premium RWD $47K or AWD $49K

Gone are the heady days of 2003-2004 when one could buy the base model CTS for under $30K! So what do you get for the money today?

For simplicity the numbers to follow focus only on the rear wheel drive models:

3.0L CTS Sedan $35K:

  • 270 hp 3.0L V6 VVT engine
  • StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
  • Premium steering
  • Bose Sound System
  • Luxury Model at $38K adds:
    • Wood trim
    • Bluetooth for phone interface
    • Interior Ambient Lighting
  • Performance Model at $40K adds:
    • 18″ aluminum wheels with premium multi-coat painted finish
    • Sport performance suspension system
    • Adaptive Forward Lighting

3.6L Performance Model for $42K includes:

  • 304 hp 3.6L V6 VVT engine
  • 18″ aluminum wheels with premium multi-coat painted finish
  • Sport performance suspension system
  • Adaptive Forward Lighting

3.6L Premium Model for $47K includes:

  • 304 hp 3.6L V6 VVT engine
  • Pop-up Navigation
  • UltraView Sunroof
  • Keyless Access/Smart Remote Start

Fuel Economy – Constant

The base 3.0L V6 and the 3.6L V6 both are rated for the same fuel economy: 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.  So there is no advantage other than cost savings to selecting the 3L over the 3.6L V6.

I want the sport suspension but…

I could not see getting the Sport Suspension and Performance option without also getting the 3.6L engine.  However, selecting the 3.6L Performance package is a sharp $7K option above the base price for the 3L V6.  This seems a large price of entry for a performance oriented CTS.
Interesting to note that the sportiest CTS Sedan suspension offered is now the FE2.  Previously CTS offered FE1, FE2 on the lux, and FE3 on the Sport model.   There was some feeling from reviewers that FE2 was nearly as good as FE3 on the track and much better on the street, so perhaps Cadillac made a smart selection here.

If price is no object

Is there a compelling case for the Premium CTS 3.6L over the Performance CTS 3.6L?  The Performance Model costs $42K, and the Premium model $47K.

For the extra $5K one would get standard on the Premium CTS Sedan (highlights):

  • Interior ambient mood lighting
  • Wood Trim
  • Audio system with Navigation
  • Ultrasonic rear parking
  • Heated, Ventilated seats
  • Ultraview Sunroof
  • Keyless Access / Smart remote start

The Performance model gets summer tires; the Premium model gets all-season tires.  The All-season tires give up a bit of dry grip but handle weather better.

All of these seem worthwhile for a fully optioned CTS, so if I were going $42K for the CTS Performance I would probably look for a way to move up to the $47K CTS Premium.

You have to pay to play…

The base 3L CTS at $35K includes Automatic Transmission, Stabilitrak and Bose sound, which the base Generation 1 CTS back in 2003/2004 did not.  The 3L engine at 270 hp is slightly more powerful than the non-Di 3.6L engine of 2004-2007, which put out 255 hp.
With these premium features the price has increased.  The range of price across the CTS range goes up quickly however, from the base $32K to the high-flying $47K premium package.    Maximum full featured price on a CTS can break $52K with selection of a few options.
Is the CTS even with Premium option and extra selections a good value at $52K?

Making room for the ATS

Cadillac needs pricing room below the CTS for the upcoming smaller-than-a-CTS model, the ATS.  With the arrival of the ATS, I would certainly make the CTS Sedan DI 3.6L only, and let the ATS have exclusive domain over the 3L V6.  I would price the ATS at $25-35K, and the CTS V6 at $35K-$40K.  i would introduce a CTS V8 with a 6.2L LS3 engine and 425 hp starting at $45K.  Finally, I would price the CTS-V at $60K even (currently $62K).

So my unsolicited recommendations for a CTS Sedan refresh for 2011 are:

  • 3.0L CTS Sedan – I would eliminate the 3.0L in the 2011 CTS

  • 3.6L 304 hp CTS V6 Sedan:

    • Performance RWD $35K
    • Premium RWD $40K
  • 6.2L 425 hp CTS V8 Sedan

    • Performance RWD $45K
  • Supercharged 6.2L 556 hp CTS-V

    • Performance RWD $60K

This would put the CTS in the right value ranges so that any CTS one buys is a terrific value for the money.

Cadillac Platinum – for When You want the Very Best

Cadillac currently offers two Custom Series — the V-Series for ultimate performance, and the Platinum Series for ultimate luxury. Cadillac describes Platinum as:

The most generously appointed vehicles in the Cadillac portfolio. The Platinum Series makes the ultimate luxury statement, with impeccably adorned interiors and distinctive exterior styling.

2010 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Interior

For the Escalade Platinum, Cadillac has packaged all of the Platinum unique offerings into one RPO code, ULT (for Ultimate?), which includes:

ULT Platinum Edition, includes (UUM) audio system with navigation, (UVC) rearview camera system, (KA9) heated steering wheel, (ARS) power release second row bucket seats, (KB6) heated and cooled driver and front passenger seats, (CF5) power sunroof, (U42) rear seat entertainment system, (HNE) heated and cooled cup holders, (AYE) DVD screens located on backside of front row head restraints, (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert, (T4Q) LED headlamps,(TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps, LED rear tail lamps, (S85) 22″ x 9″ (55.9 CM x 22.9 cm) multi-spoke chrome wheels, (BRS) power-retractable assist steps, and (Z95) Magnetic Ride Control suspension system
1 – (KA9) heated steering wheel and (ARS) power release second row seats not available on Platinum Hybrid.

Taken item by item (to make them a bit easier to consider) they include:

  • (UUM) audio system with navigation,
  • (UVC) rearview camera system,
  • (KA9) heated steering wheel,
  • (ARS) power release second row bucket seats,
  • (KB6) heated and cooled driver and front passenger seats,
  • (CF5) power sunroof,
  • (U42) rear seat entertainment system,
  • (HNE) heated and cooled cup holders,
  • (AYE) DVD screens located on backside of front row head restraints,
  • (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert,
  • (T4Q) LED headlamps,
  • (TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps, LED rear tail lamps,
  • (S85) 22″ x 9″ (55.9 CM x 22.9 cm) multi-spoke chrome wheels,
  • (BRS) power-retractable assist steps, and
  • (Z95) Magnetic Ride Control suspension system

    All in all a very nice collection of features.

    For the Cadillac STS, the Platinum Edition includes:

    W21 Platinum Edition, includes unique grille finish, (PGK) 18″ (45.7 cm) chromed wheels, specific deck lid emblem, Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain, leather-wrapped interior, Alcantara sueded fabric material headliner, premium floor mats, specific door sill plates, (Q12) P235/50R18 front and P255/45R18 rear Michelin W-rated all-season blackwall tires, (ZAA) compact spare tire and Tuscany full-leather seats in either Ebony or Cashmere with Cocoa interior accents
    1 – Also includes (CF5) power sunroof. Not available with (PCZ) Performance Handling Package or any Fleet order types.
    2 – Not available with (PCZ) Performance Handling Package or any Fleet order types. (ZAA) compact spare tire is not included in (W21) Platinum Edition since it is included in the 1SG PEG.

    Item by Item:

    • unique grille finish,
    • (PGK) 18″ (45.7 cm) chromed wheels,
    • specific deck lid emblem,
    • Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain,
    • leather-wrapped interior,
    • Alcantara sueded fabric material headliner,
    • premium floor mats,
    • specific door sill plates,
    • (Q12) P235/50R18 front and P255/45R18 rear Michelin W-rated all-season blackwall tires,
    • (ZAA) compact spare tire and
    • Tuscany full-leather seats in either Ebony or Cashmere with Cocoa interior accents

      For the Cadillac DTS, the Platinum Collection includes:


      Badging, Platinum Collection

      Console, leather-wrapped, instrument panel top pad

      Door handles, lift bar, chrome insert

      Door inserts, French seam

      Floor mats, premium

      Grille, chrome finish 1 – Not available with (K59) Adaptive Cruise Control.

      Headliner, Alcantara microfiber, including sail panels and pillars
      UFL Lane Departure Warning

      Lighting, LED front and rear footwell
      F55 Magnetic Ride Control
      UFT Side Blind Zone Alert

      Sill plates, illuminated “Platinum”, front and rear

      Steering wheel, wood, heated with chrome rings
      FE3 Suspension, 4-wheel independent, Performance
      QJE Tires, P245/50R18 H-rated, all-season, blackwall

      Trunk mat, unique, reversible
      PWG Wheels, 18″ x 7.5″ (45.7 cm x 19.1 cm) unique chrome aluminum (ChromeTech)
      Wood trim, genuine Light Ash with decorative inlay

      For the DTS, Platinum appears to have taken the place of the previous DTS Performance Sedan.

      Conclusion?  All in all, the Cadillac Platinum Series vehicles are very special examples of their breed.  The new definition of a fully equipped Cadillac is PLATINUM.