2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Review
2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon - Driving
Impressions
Cadillac proves that 'station wagon' and
'style' aren't mutually exclusive terms.
By John
Lamm "Road and Track" Magazine/
Photos by the Author
November 3, 2009

Want
to give the heebie-jeebies to most car marketing managers? Say "station
wagon." These once-proud suburban land yachts fell into disrepute
decades ago, many having become overweight and under built. They were
still lovable, like fat comedians, but became irrelevant to most buyers.
Though not to all, as there are unashamed wagon fans among us.
Not that many - just check sales of BMW's 535xi Sports Wagon - but we
have a new possibility and it's a good one: Cadillac's CTS Sport Wagon.
Cadillac morphed its CTS sedan into a wagon with 25.0 cu. ft.
of cargo space with rear seats up, 53.4 seats folded. The extended body
looks so good the issue of minimal rearward vision for the driver is
minor.
Unlike some wagons and crossovers, you won't open the CTS's
power tailgate, see intruding structure and wonder, "Where did the
interior go?" Liftover height is reasonable, the space is quite usable
and the seat-folding sequence is quick and simple.
What was Caddy's aim with the Sport Wagon? Remember that this
machine was once meant to be sold in Europe and then overlay its
exterior dimensions with those of the BMW 535xi Sports Wagon. Wheelbase,
overall length, width and height plus the tracks are all within 0.2-0.5
in., and Mercedes' E-Class wagon plays in the same ballpark too.
BMW fits the 535xi Sports Wagon with a 300-bhp, 300-lb.-ft.
3.0-liter turbo inline-6 with 6-speed manual or auto gearboxes and
all-wheel drive. Cadillac offers two direct-injected non-turbo V-6s, a
3.0-liter at 270 bhp and 223 lb.-ft., or a 3.6 with 304 bhp and 273
lb.-ft. Six-speed autos only here, but with the option of rear- or
all-wheel drive.
Naturally, both wagons have independent suspension front and
rear. There was a time when we'd assume a BMW would be more fun to drive
than a Cadillac. Not now...this one is close to a draw.
Neither wagon is cheap. The CTS line starts a hair under
$40,000 and tops out at $53,620, coming up on where the 535xi Sports
Wagon models begin.
It's easy to find stories, sound bites or blogs that denigrate
the new GM for a variety of reasons. Cadillac's CTS Sport Wagon is not
one of them. This is a properly designed, thoughtfully developed,
well-built automobile.
Period.
What's Hot:
- Slick CTS styling
- 304 bhp and all-wheel drive
- Thoughtful interior package
What's Not:
- Station wagon stigma
- Driver's rearward vision
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