2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon: Perfection in a Family Hauler

By Suzanne Kane

Suzanne Kane

Contributing Writer BIO

Suzanne Kane is an editor at High Gear Media focusing on covering the latest product and other auto-related information for Family Car Guide... More

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1,581 views Dec 19, 2010

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

When Cadillac added a wagon to its already-impressive CTS lineup, you knew something had to be in the works for the CTS-V performance brood as well. If the CTS is an awesome performer, the CTS-V ratchets up performance to such a level it’s almost beyond words. For 2011, the CTS-V Sport Wagon proves that hauling the family can be a wide-grin-inducing endeavor – any day, every day.

Drool-worthy style

Here at Family Car Guide, we find few vehicles that deserve to be referred to as having drool-worthy style. Right off the bat, however, we consider any of the CTS lineup – the CTS-V certainly included – to qualify. But there’s something about the 2011 CTS-V Sport Wagon that just defies descriptors.

For one thing, the rear-wheel drive wagon looks totally svelte – some reviewers call it elegant. This is especially true in comparison to the CTS-V coupe version. Actually, in terms of wagons and exterior styling, there’s nothing like the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon (and its sibling the CTS Sport Wagon).

Frankly, there’s nothing else that matches the CTS-V Sport Wagon in terms of performance either.

Mega-performance for the family wagon

Who says driving a wagon has to be boring? Slip behind the wheel of the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon and that thought will be forever erased from your mind. This is one wagon that boasts some serious performance.

Consider this: 556-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 – in a wagon. That’s right. We’ll repeat it: a supercharged V-8 engine that belts out 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque. The Eaton supercharged and intercooled V-8 builds low-end power quickly and sustains it at high speeds. Here’s what Motor Authority has to say about the CTS-V Sport Wagon’s performance: “It’s incredibly exciting to drive a wagon with almost identical performance to what is one of the world’s fastest production sedans around the Nurburgring…”

Other CTS-V Sport Wagon performance and handling all-inclusives include aluminum 6-piston front and 4-piston rear caliper Brembo disc brakes, dual-mode Magnetic Ride Control, 19-inch polished aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport P52 tires, and Stabilitrak electronic stabiity control system with four driver-selectable modes.

Buyers can choose from two six-speed transmissions: a manual TREMEC TR-6060 or a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

As for fuel efficiency, it’s not bad, considering all the performance the engine delivers: EPA-estimated 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway.