2008 Cadillac CTS

Ever notice how auto reviewers can't report on any new luxury sport sedan without comparing it to a BMW? That makes sense because BMW essentially invented the luxo-sport sedan segment and has continually improved its cars to maintain its lead ever since. But BMWs have also grown increasingly expensive, so luxo-sport shoppers with open minds and more modest budgets may be open to viable alternatives, of which there are several, from two other German makers, three upscale Japanese and (at the moment) this one domestic brand.


When GM set out in the late 1990s to resurrect its once-proud Cadillac marque, the 2003 "entry luxury" CTS came to market with a new "Art and Science" look and personality. It was a bold blend of space-age style and technology, and its edgy styling was polarizing—some liked it, some didn't. But it delivered the right stuff in performance and road dynamics, while only its austere interior caught critical flack. Now comes this all-new 2008 bona fide BMW-fighting CTS, significantly improved in every way and fully competitive (or better) inside and out.

Refined Design

The CTS' styling is both bolder and softened for 2008, with a more aggressive face and more rounded shapes between the edges, and its beautifully crafted new interior transforms the previous car's major weakness into a serious strength. Bold upper and lower grilles, chrome side air extractors and sculpted fenders emphasizing the car's wider tracks and more athletic chassis characterize the new exterior look. Flanking the lower grille, below the vertical headlamps, are chromed wraparound slots housing brake cooling air intakes and fog lamps. The fast-sloping roofline is nearly coupe-like, the large vertical taillamps recall Cadillac's tailfin heritage, the deck-top center brake light doubles as an aerodynamic spoiler, and an available double sunroof offers an open-sky view for both front and rear passengers.


The dramatically different interior design puts emphasis on tasteful ornamentation and handcrafted details. The instruments, vents and other elements are framed in chrome, and the center stack blends seamlessly into the lower instrument panel and console. Hand-cut, hand-sewn and hand-wrapped coverings with French stitching are used throughout. The heated and ventilated front seats use "thin-seat" technology for improved rear leg, knee and foot room. Available soft, white LED backlighting in the door pulls, footwells and between the upper and lower instrument panels creates an effect similar to recessed lighting in contemporary homes.

Features and Options

The base 2008 CTS is powered by a 24-valve, double-overhead-cam, variable-valve-timing 3.6-liter V6 that pumps 258 eager horses through a standard six-speed manual transmission, and it rolls on all-season tires on 17-inch aluminum wheels. Inside its cabin are dual-zone climate controls, an eight-way power driver's seat, a Driver Information Center, a rear-seat/trunk pass-through, and an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD Bose audio system with XM Satellite Radio and MP3 capability. Standard safety equipment includes advanced front, side and side curtain airbags, Stabilitrak stability and traction control, daytime running lamps, Twilight Sentinel auto lamps, programmable power door locks, a theft deterrent system and one year of OnStar security and convenience service with turn-by-turn navigation.