To commemorate the birth of the New GM, Cadillac is launching 2010 products steeped in fresh thinking and extra attention to customer needs. The most interesting addition to the wreath and crest family is the CTS Sport Wagon, a first for Cadillac, at least in the US. While this GM division has sold BLS wagons in Europe and supported conversion companies that have morphed a few sedans into wagons, never before in its 106-year history has Cadillac offered Americans a factory-built wagon.
DRAMA QUEEN EXTERIOR
While some wagons are dedicated to cargo and/or family transport, the CTS 5-door is all about style. With a roof 1.25-inches higher and 200 lbs. added to the curb weight but no increase in overall length, this wagon is the fashion equivalent of wearing a baseball cap with the bill swung rakishly back. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Cadillac stylists stretched the tail lamps to a full 3-feet in length and configured the roof rails as nicely integrated chrome upper-body accents.
The result is a two-box sport machine that men can drive with pride and women can use to scratch their innate shopping itches.
EXTENDED INTERIOR GOODNESS
The CTS was one of GM's first attempts to prove that a modest investment in materials and finish inside the vehicle can reap major gains in customer satisfaction. The majestically rising navigation screen, the cut and stitched leather trim, the real tree wood accents, and the highly detailed instrument panel carry over into the Sport Wagon with a few improvements. The only niggle we have is that the wrap-around corners of the instrument panel and the well gusseted door apertures constrict entry and exit. In addition, the view of the road in the inside mirror is partially blocked by headrests, the rear wiper, and the substantial D-pillars. In back, the seat-back releases can easily be reached from both the passenger compartment and through an open lift gate. Folding the split backrests flat more than doubles the cargo volume from 25 to 58 cubic feet. A folding cargo floor can be propped up in two different locations to contain bags of groceries. Small basement and sub-basement compartments are hidden under the floor panel along with a readily removed rubber mat that helps contain spills.
Two robust tie-down rails are provided to secure cargo and each has a pair of sliding D-rings.
The power-operated lift gate can be programmed to halt its opening movement short of the wide-open position to clear low garage doors and to provide ventilation for pets stashed in back. ...next page >>