The Cadillac CTS treads dangerous waters. After all, Cadillac's previous attempts at building a smaller car have often been nothing less than atrocious. And to a lot of us, what's the point of a Cadillac that isn't a block long and decorated like one of Elvis' jumpsuits? Still, by any reasonable standard the Cadillac CTS has to be counted as a success.
When the Cadillac CTS first went on sale for the 2003 model year, it was available solely as a sedan. Built on GM's "Sigma" architecture, the rear-drive, unibody CTS features a control-arm independent front suspension and multilink independent rear suspension. Initially only V6 engines were offered, with either five-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Updated, higher-output V6s were added to the range for 2004 and a new six-speed manual transmission replaced the five-speed for 2005. Styled using Cadillac's "Art and Science" design themes, the original razor-cut Cadillac CTS received praise from critics for its ride and handling, and criticism for an overly plasticky interior.
Also introduced for the 2004 model year was the high-performance Cadillac CTS-V. Initially this was the CTS stuffed full of GM's LS6 400-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, a six-speed manual transmission and a fortified chassis. During the 2006 model year a 6.0-liter LS2 V8, also rated at 400 hp, superseded the LS6 in the CTS-V. The blistering CTS-V, and its success as a racecar in the Speed World Challenge series, added credibility to the Cadillac CTS's claim to be a world-class sport sedan.
The second-generation Cadillac CTS appeared as a 2008 model. Slightly longer and wider than the first, it was still V6-powered and offered all-wheel drive as an option. More aggressively styled, but still following the Art and Science precepts, the new CTS drew praise for improvements in virtually every parameter of performance and quality. The second Cadillac CTS was particularly improved inside, with a much better design and radically better materials.
A second-generation Cadillac CTS-V sedan with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 556 hp went on sale for 2009. The 2010 model year brought with it the first CTS sport wagon. And 2011 was the year of the first Cadillac CTS coupe.
