2010 CTS Sport Wagon – Design and Technology

Part 1 – Overview
Part 2 – Design and Technology
Part 3 – Ride and Performance

As a 2010 version of the 2008 CTS we drove a while back, it might be a good start for you to see our original review of the CTS’ entertainment and interior from way back when.

You all caught up now? Good. Now let’s talk about what has changed and what hasn’t.

Well, we’ve covered in our overview the most obvious design change – that of the wagon body-style and its effects on visibility and the new cargo hold it contains.

That brings us to other aspects of the interior design and technology that the sport wagon brings to our party. Primarily we get a split folding rear seat and interior changes to support dealer installed accessories expected in the premium wagon segment – like a partition for keeping your canine friends segregated from your passengers. There are connection points in the interior trim for such accessories to attach.

Moving forward to the electronics and entertainment areas…not a lot has changed in the couple of years since the CTS debuted. In 2009, Cadillac started offering a bluetooth kit as an option in the CTS. The window sticker for our wagon suggested that the car had the system, but we were stymied by trying to get it to show itself, much less to pair a cell phone to it for testing of the hands-free options.

Also, where we had a gen 1 iPhone to play with the center armrest connector (USB, as you may recall) – it refused to recognize our 3GS iPhone in this 2010. A subsequent test of a 3rd generation iPod Nano also was a bust. Discussion with Cadillac ended up providing the tidbit that the Cadillac cable, which was missing from our test car, works just fine with all Apple products. The one they provide is 30-pin on the Apple end and plugs into both the AUX and USB jacks in the car. Luckily, Cadillac does supply an AUX jack that worked just fine (just without any on-screen control of the device).

Ultimately, the world of interior electronics has moved very quickly in the last couple years and the CTS could use a tech refresh sooner rather than later to stay competitive. Rumors abound that GM is working with Google to bring a Ford/Lincoln Sync-style system to their products. This would be a wonderful place to start (and could, in theory, give GM shorter tech refresh cycle times vs. the traditional once-per generation timeline from before).

Additional updates we’d look forward to include:

When calling up something that needs the nav screen in its up position – just motor it up. The new SRX does this, but the CTS just tells you to push a button to raise the screen. If the system knows it needs the screen up, just move the screen rather than giving an error.

DIC controls reside behind the wheel on a section of dash you can’t see and the buttons are difficult to distinguish by touch alone. They need moved somewhere easier to access.

Other than that, this is the same well designed and pleasing interior that we loved in the CTS sedan. Overall a comfortable place for 4-5 and now some cargo.

We’d place it a ergonomic quirk and an electronics refresh away from the perfect all-around car.

Next up: Ride and Drive