tCE 2008 CTS Review
November 20, 2007 - 8:00 amPart 1 – Overall impressions
Part 2 – Interior and Storage
Part 3 – Electronics and Entertainment
Part 4 – Ride and Drive
Image Gallery
Cadillac graciously loaned one of their new 2008 CTS’ to the Caddy Edge so we could get a look at their latest and offer up our review.
Most of us are quite familiar with the original CTS, which introduced the driving public to the new Art & Science face of Cadillac. Facet-ed sheet metal inspired by a mix of stealth fighters and Cadillacs of the past (including nods to stacked headlights and tailfins). Interior design was equally edgy if not quite as successful with inspiration taken from desktop computers and possessing some of the highest quality plastics GM had ever offered – though not quite up to other companies’ level.
Developed on the Nurburgring in Germany – the CTS was a credible competitor to sports sedans from the established import luxury players. As such, it attracted a huge and loyal following unlike anything from a domestic luxury brand in decades.
Now, we’re 5 years later and follow-ons to the CTS like the XLR roadster, STS, latest Escalade, and more have carried Cadillac into the public consciousness as a legitimate and equal player in many segments to the likes of BMW, Mercedes, and Audi.
Can the sequel come close to matching the original? Can it address the complaints without losing the edge that made the original such a success?
After spending some days behind the wheel – the answer is an unqualified ‘yes’.
Just to start, the particular CTS I drove was equipped with:
3.6l Direct Injection V-6 (304hp)
6-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel drive
Ultraview sunroof
Nav system with 40GB hard drive, XM, XM Traffic Nav, etc.
Thunder Gray with Light Titanium interior
18” wheels with all-season tires
Limited service spare tire
Sport brakes
Now, let’s talk about the styling for a moment. I have been worried that the essential flair of the original CTS would be lost in a bid to add more curves to the design.
I shouldn’t have worried.
You really get a feel for this car, much like the original CTS, when washing it. The angular lines and planar surfaces (especially the trunk lid, and front and rear windscreens) are all there en force. However, the muscular fenders, sharper front end, etc. all serve to update the design nicely and telegraph in no uncertain terms that this is a serious sport-luxury sedan.
Gaps above the 18” Michelin Pilots are almost unbelievably small – practically show-car small. Nice.
The ‘light-pipe’ running lights are just as cool as I had hoped, highlighting the outside of the headlights and the inner edge of the taillights very nicely.
The most radical upgrade has to be the interior. Where the original CTS was accused, rightfully so, of trying a bit too hard to be ‘tech-y’ inside – the new car is simply exactly what it should be. Swooping lines, expensive/soft-touch materials, metallic finishes, understated wood trim all come together in an excellent theme that just works.
Next up, interior room, seating, and storage…
8 Responses to “tCE 2008 CTS Review”
[...] Part 1 – Overall impressions Part 2 – Interior and Storage Part 3 – Electronics and Entertainment Part 4 – Ride and Drive Image Gallery [...]
[...] Part 1 – Overall impressions Part 2 – Interior and Storage Part 3 – Electronics and Entertainment Part 4 – Ride and Drive Image Gallery [...]
I have had my 2008 CTS for almost three months and can comment on how it compares to my past Cadillac’s, a 2003 and a 2006 CTS.
On the plus side the direct injection engine and the all wheel drive are as good or better than expected. On the negative side interior storage space has been shrunk to the point it has become next to useless especially the center council. Personalization of setting such as mirror interaction has been decreased far to much if the car is used by more than one driver, keyless entrance will not adjust the seating etc. unless the unlock button is pushed on the fob which means the keyless system still requires manual intervention.
Option packages are designed to make you pay far more than you should. Example being most common options require the purchase of a set of wheels and you never really see how you are credited in the end, another example is the sight and sound package which includes wood trim, wheels, lighting and a six disk player however if you also want to plug in your I Pod another audio package is required which deletes the six disk player but I could not see were I got a credit for the deletion. Keep a sharp eye on the option packages and deletions.
Bottom line is, if my 2006 CTS had direct injection and all wheel drive it I would consider it better value for the dollar.
In all actuality you lose the 6cd changer to plug in your ipod, yes, however you get a 40 gig hard drive… 40 GIGS! you can upload 6 cds many many times over and they stay in your car so you can enjoy your cds at home. between that, your ipod, and xm radio do you need to shuffle through an old fasioned changer? really? As far as the memory seating yes, you have to press a button for it to recall, is America that lazy? I do not know who gave you your packaging information, if you want an upgraded wheel you get that, along with HID Adaptive lights, limited slip rear end, fog lights, and a sportier suspension for 1800 dollars. a small price to pay however if you did not want that you do not have to pay for it. sounds like you just wanted to complain, most likely for paying the premium this car is bringing, remember you just bought the finest American automobile ever produced.
The accounts you have written about the 2008 CTS somehow has enlightened me better than all the owners manuals provided with the CTS. However, they both leave me unsure regarding the ipod menues and playlist appearing on the nav screen. My ipod plays very well and I can control the ipod from the ipod but no menues or control for the ipod appear on the nac screen. From what I read in your account and the owners manual the menues, playlist etc should be on the nav screen. I have called two different Cadillac service departments and they can’t answer the question, infact they both told me if I find out for sure would I call them back and advise them of exactly how it works. Do you know? Thanks
Jack,
Let me check with my Cadillac contact and see if we can get some details on how to get to playlists through the touch screen (I remember doing it, but don’t remember how it was done – it’s been 4 months or so since I had the car in my hands for testing).
I’ll let you know.
Jack, your ipod should just plug in and appear on your nav screen, this does require the cord that has both the usb cable and regular cable to be plugged in, if you only have the one wire plugged in it will not come up in your nav screen. these wires should come from your dealer. The only problem I have seen is with the i phone however it just requires a setting on the phone to be changed.
Care to comment?
[...] Part 1 – Overall impressions Part 2 – Interior and Storage Part 3 – Electronics and Entertainment Part 4 – Ride and Drive Image Gallery [...]