2008 Cadillac CTS

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By  Bengt Halvorson, Editor

2008 Cadillac CTS
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 2008 CADILLAC CTS STYLING | [8 out of 10]

Edmunds.com: “…interiors from BMW and Mercedes seem cold and austere in comparison…”
CNET: “...headlights and taillights sport unique, vertical light pipes that will easily identify the car at night...”
Kelley Blue Book: “The fast-sloping roofline is almost coupelike in profile.”

Most reviewers applauded the 2008 Cadillac CTS’s new look, most frequently complimenting the distinctive new headlight and front-end design and saying that even though the exterior is carried over mostly unchanged in overall form, all the changes give it a much better appearance overall. “The front fender air vents, the knife-edged third brake light, and the LED-encrusted tail lamps are beautifully executed,” said a ForbesAutos.com reviewer, who continued to gush over the exterior styling of the CTS, saying that “the charismatic glow radiating from this car will draw looks away from the more conservative blue-blood import sedans and make this Cadillac the center of positive attention wherever the affluent gather.”

There’s an almost excessive amount of design detail in the front and rear ends, though, and not everyone was wild about it. Cars.com said that “the front end can come off as a bit busy” and pointed out the inset fog lamps, two-tone grille, and bumper extensions below each headlight. Other reviewers suggested that the tall grille on the 2008 Cadillac CTS might not be to everyone’s liking.

The CTS’s interior was more of a subject of controversy. Several reviewers pointed out that the 2008 Cadillac CTS’s form makes it a bit of a fashion victim, as its roofline and thick rear pillars obstructed the view outward and confined backseat space and trunk access. Yet several other reviewers said nearly the opposite. Car and Driver noted that “even with a steeply raked rear window, the CTS offers a much larger and usable back seat,” especially when compared with the smaller cars it competes with price-wise.

Up close, reviewers were split over whether the interior was too flashy and flamboyant to be effective. ConsumerGuide criticized the 2008 Cadillac CTS as putting form over function with some of its major controls, as “the v-shape center console stack puts most buttons into a smallish area of the dashboard,” while Kelley Blue Book found otherwise, noting the interior’s “cheerfully luxurious design” and saying that “every control was easy to see, find and operate.” ForbesAutos.com looked at the interior with an especially critical eye, possibly explaining the differences in opinion. The reviewer first pointed out the double-stitched upholstery, electroluminescent gauges, and standout infotainment systems, but went on to say, “the more you live in these confines, the more you notice that designers missed some of the fundamentals while squandering their trim and technology budget...Harmony is broken by too many textures, accents, and distracting elements.” In short, the reviewer continued to point out how busy the interior was with different materials, finishes, and contrasting design details.

TheCarConnection.com especially appreciates the new 2008 Cadillac CTS’s exterior appearance, as the new front- and back-end treatments make it look lower and better proportioned—the last car could look a bit tall, boxy, and awkward from some angles—and it projects a uniquely American style statement. The interior design is attractive, but it still might not agree with all luxury buyers’ tastes—such as those who are looking for styling like that of German luxury sedans. While its styling may elicit love-it-or-hate-it remarks, the new CTS breaks the very conservative mold that compact sport sedans are expected to stay within.

Conclusion: GM didn’t try to copy anyone with the 2008 Cadillac CTS and has created a uniquely American sport sedan.

2008 CADILLAC CTS PERFORMANCE | [9 out of 10]

Motor Trend: “It's not just the best-handling Caddy in history, but probably the best-handling American sedan ever.”
ForbesAutos.com: “The steering is crisp and road feel is excellent. “
Kelley Blue Book: “This fine new midsize Cadillac can compete on equal terms with anything in its class. “
ConsumerGuide: “…doesn’t feel quite as agile in quick transitions than its key German rivals…”

The 2008 Cadillac CTS’s performance didn’t disappoint any of the reviews we read, and reviewers were positively beaming about the CTS’s handling. It “drives like a proper BMW rival,” said Motor Trend, and Car and Driver ventured that “the CTS is more comfortable than a Sport-package-equipped BMW 3-series or Infiniti G35 without giving up much ultimate performance.” ForbesAutos.com commended the crisp steering and excellent road feel, and said that even at the limits of grip, the suspension brings predictable and forgiving behavior.

Edmunds tested a 2008 Cadillac CTS with the stiffest FE3 suspension, also optioned up with the Y43 package, which includes 18-inch wheels and Y-rated Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires. “This CTS's high-performance Michelin PS2 tires are standard equipment on some Porsches, and they have much to do with the way this car feels and performs,” they said, also making note of the CTS’s especially short stopping distances and great pedal feel.

Even with the top 304-hp engine, the 2008 Cadillac CTS is slower than competitors with similar power outputs, reported Edmunds, “likely due to the fact that it weighs about 300 pounds more than the BMW 335i and Lexus IS350.” But ForbesAutos.com said, “While it doesn’t bubble with enthusiasm when revving to its 7,000-rpm redline, it delivers more than enough energy to hustle this nearly 4,000-pound sedan along with gusto.”

A number of reviewers also noted that premium fuel is recommended for the direct-injection engine, but better fuel economy may be a bonus perk. ConsumerGuide tested both 3.6-liter engines and found that the direct injection engine provided significantly higher gas mileage.

Testers unanimously liked the six-speed automatic transmission, which was commended for having great shift quality that was smooth during leisurely driving and snappy in high-performance situations. Car and Driver said that in the transmission’s sport setting, “it quickly gets bold, dutifully holding gears...and aggressively downshifting under braking.” CNET confirmed that the transmission has been programmed to downshift depending on how hard you brake going into a corner and not upshift in corners, which made the 2008 Cadillac CTS especially enjoyable to drive on the track.

Car and Driver also tested the six-speed manual transmission but said that abrupt shift action, an abruptly engaging clutch pedal, and a high center console all detracted from the experience, and said that “even with a new shift linkage for shorter throws, the manual isn’t nearly as fluid as those from BMW.”

Conclusion: The 2008 Cadillac CTS might not quite have the straight-line acceleration of rival sport sedans, but it might just outdo them in the corners.

2008 CADILLAC CTS COMFORT AND QUALITY  | [9 out of 10]

ConsumerGuide: “Luxury grade trim now rivals the best-in-class…”
Car and Driver: “Cadillac’s least expensive car certainly doesn’t feel that way, and it upstages the ‘08 Mercedes C-Class.”

Most assessments of the materials used inside the 2008 Cadillac CTS were positive, and no reviewers mentioned squeaks, rattles, or build issues. ForbesAutos.com said, “The instrument panel, steering wheel, portions of the console and door surfaces are covered with leather and vinyl materials that are all cut, sewn and wrapped by hand and neatly eliminate most gaps and seams." Car and Driver made mention of the “classy materials and top-notch fit and finish.”

Kelley Blue Book expected a stiff, uncomfortable ride for this sporty sedan but instead found its suspension “surprisingly supple even on the most troubled surfaces.” Edmunds also reported that in the rough roads of downtown Los Angeles, their test car, with its stiffer FE3 suspension remained “thoroughly pleasant.” The reviewer especially commended the way in which the suspension soaked up the bumps, adding, “the well-isolated steering wheel never shudders and the tires always remain firmly planted on the ground." This was corroborated by Car and Driver, which complimented the balance between ride and handling even with the tightest FE3 suspension, and said, “Tightly controlled body movements keep it buttoned down, and the rear-drive CTS’s ride never feels harsh. “

Motor Trend said that the 2008 Cadillac CTS’s ride quality suffers with the stiffer FE3 suspension, which “can get jittery over broken pavement,” and recommended the midlevel FE2 as the best compromise for most. ConsumerGuide wasn’t nearly as thrilled about the high-performance package either, saying that it was a “huge detriment to ride quality, adding undue stiffness with little appreciable gain in handling,” and noted that tire noise can intrude in the otherwise quiet interior. The base engine can sound unrefined at times, they said, while the direct injection engine was “notably more polished, even when pushed.”

Many reviewers complimented the 2008 Cadillac CTS’s additional noise-reduction measures, such as triple door seals and more engine sound deadening. Car and Driver described the new DI engine as “smooth and quite muted.” However, engine noise was sore point for several reviewers. Motor Trend, referring to the top-of-the-range 304-hp engine, said, “It's a technically impressive engine, but in truth, it's the CTS's weakest link.” Motor Trend specified that noise and vibration is the real issue, including vibrations that make their way to the pedals and shifter. “It's not overbearing, but you notice it because the rest of the car is so quiet.”

The basic features—especially the seats—were a bit controversial. Nearly all said that the sport sedan needs seats that are more supportive for curvy roads. Some testers seemed perfectly happy with the seats and seating space, such as Kelley Blue Book, which noted, “The heated and ventilated front seats use 'thin-seat' technology for improved rear leg, knee and foot room,” so as to give backseat occupants about two inches of additional legroom versus last year’s model. That still wasn’t enough, according to several reviewers. ForbesAutos.com noted that the front seats lack ample thigh support, and “the rear seats are ill-suited for any occupant who has graduated from middle school if the trip is longer than, say, 20 miles.” ConsumerGuide said that larger adults won’t fit well in back and pointed out that taller drivers might not even fit comfortably, saying, “Marginal headroom is further reduced by the available sunroof.”

The CTS’s backseat design offers some practicality, as they fold forward nearly flat for larger parcels, but the constrained side-door access and narrow trunk opening were the limiting factors. Edmunds pointed to the “ergonomic casualties,” such as awkward access to the backseat through the “triangular door” and the “slot-like trunk opening.”

Compared to the Catera in the not-so-distant past, which was far cry from Mercedes and BMW standards of refinement, TheCarConnection.com is still awestruck by the new 2008 Cadillac CTS, even if the interior feels a little bit over the top.

Conclusion: Quite possibly the best-assembled GM car ever, the 2008 Cadillac CTS has as much refinement and polish as German luxury sedans.

2008 CADILLAC CTS SAFETY | [8 out of 10]

IIHS: top Good ratings in all tests
NHTSA: four stars frontal for the driver, five stars in all other tests

The 2008 Cadillac CTS failed to get the top five-star rating in the federal government’s frontal crash test but emerged from all other tests with flying colors. It has all the safety features of most other cars in its class, including electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags, and front side airbags. The only thing that some vehicles in its price range have but the CTS doesn’t is rear side airbags.

Conclusion: The 2008 Cadillac CTS gets high marks in safety, but so do most of the competitors in this class.

2008 CADILLAC CTS FEATURES | [9 out of 10]

Edmunds: “This is the best iPod integration I've ever used, and it makes the one in Mercedes-Benz models seem like a junior high programming project”
CNET: “The music navigation interface is everything we would expect”
Cars.com: “the amenities are useful for real drivers, not just technophiles”

Several reviewers noted the availability of all-wheel drive in the 2008 Cadillac CTS, a new feature for 2008. ForbesAutos.com said that the option makes the CTS more competitive in its class, as AWD “is fast becoming a must-have in parts of the country that see snow.”

Two new features were mentioned by nearly all reviewers: the Advanced Navigation System, and the so-called Infotainment system with Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround Sound, a $3,145 option. Adaptive forward lighting is another noteworthy feature. Edmunds singled out the 2008 Cadillac CTS’s integrated XM real-time traffic service as one of the most useful features, while also complimenting the hard-drive-based navigation system, with its three-dimensional renderings of buildings when closely zoomed.

Kelley Blue Book noted that the sound system “will download and store your CD collection and operate your iPod from the pop-up touch screen,” and CNET lauded the “tabbed structure” and improved screen resolution of the Infotainment system, commenting that the 40GB built-in hard drive was the largest they’d seen in a car to date. Edmunds was also wowed by the capabilities of the CTS’s optional ($3,145) surround sound system, which has a USB port, iPod integration, and MP3 playback capabilities and can record and replay 60 minutes of traditional or satellite radio, on a rolling basis, in case you want to rewind to a section of a show you missed. Several reviewers likened the standout feature to TiVo.

CNET criticized the CTS for lacking a Bluetooth hands-free interface, as most cars in its class now have. On the 2008 Cadillac CTS, it’s only available as a visor-attached (rather than sound-system-integrated, dealer-installed) option.

Taking a close look at interior features, the ForbesAutos.com reviewer asked, “Why are the door pockets so small? Why is the manual-mode shift gate for the automatic toward the passenger's thigh rather than the driver's? Why are there no shift paddles on the steering wheel?”

Conclusion: The 2008 Cadillac CTS can be packed with leading-edge, gee-whiz features, yet depending on your size and needs, it might not deliver on the basics.