2012 Cadillac CTS - Styling Review

Though it's largely unchanged for 2012, the Cadillac CTS continues to cut an imitable figure in the competitive set of midsize luxury sedans--or wagons, or coupes. Sharp-folded edges, a broad, planted stance, and plenty of chrome details give the CTS a sporting, truncated look. A huge Cadillac emblem on the grille reminds you--and everyone else on the road--what you're driving.

For those not in love with the Art & Science design theme, the CTS may be a disaster. For everyone else, however, it's a head-turning combination of modern looks and classic proportions. The Coupe is probably the most polarizing, with its chunky rear fenders, creased center leading to a pointed tail, and large, spoiler-like center-mounted tail light.

The Wagon doesn't come up short on style either, though, with an intentionally off-angle rear pillar shape to set off its glass edge. Almost tailfin-like details on its rear remind of Cadillacs past, but with a completely contemporary look. Wherever your eyes fall on the CTS, be it wagon, sedan, or coupe, they are eventually drawn to the slab-like, sculpted sides and back up to the sizable, shapely rear--particularly in the Coupe and Sport Wagon.

Inside, the 2012 CTS is attractive, but again, won't be to everyone's taste: it's American, with flowing contours and smooth surfaces highlighted by polished wood and plastic, chrome-finish accents, and leather upholstery. Almost all of the controls are busily packed into the V-shaped center console area, from which the navigation screen rises and hides at the top of the stack. It's elegant, but Teutonic sparseness is not in its vocabulary.n, both stylistically and functionally.