Review: Cadillac CTS Sportwagon
I’m too young to remember the 1970s, but I have recollections of a Cadillac-based abomination known as the “ Castilian Fleetwood Estate Wagon.” Perhaps the recent success of Cadillac-based trucks made someone at the RenCen give the Cadillac Wagon a second look. Yet the CTS Sport Wagon isn’t a cobbled-up engineering afterthought, though it reeks of branding desperation: the American icon formerly known as the pinnacle of everything now goes for entry-level luxury success in a station wagon. And that’s why this mirage hailing from the days of Motorized Malaise has some ‘splaining to do.
But wagons have their purpose, especially in Europe. Not so much in America, though using the far-from-ungainly CTS sedan could change all that. Too bad this Estate’s hindquarters are more aesthetically challenged than a Cy Twombly retrospective. Taking the CTS’s bulky proportions to new heights, the Sport Wagon’s short and “fast” roofline sports a pointless quarter window and massively “slow” looking D-pillar. And much like half melted dinner candles in a gothic dungeon, the crystalline tail lamps are an asymmetric eyesore on an already overwrought posterior. Conversely, any wagon sold in the USA is inherently desirable to some. So the CTS Sport Wagon is indeed cool.
And the hits keep on coming, as the CTS Sport Wagon’s interior is the same as the sedan. The front seats are near perfect, while dash materials and buttonage are first rate at this price point. All the requisite wood grain bits and electronic gadgets are accounted for, OnStar or otherwise. GM should be proud of this interior, so let’s get to the heart of the beast.
The business end of any wagon lies south of the B-pillars. The backseat is large enough for two average adults, but the tall beltline and narrow doors add an undue amount of claustrophobia. The cargo area has enough right angles for box friendly loading, albeit not large enough for items held by
yesteryear’s wood paneled wagons. And while there’s not enough real estate for an E-class like rear facing seat, the carpeted floor sports elegant metal accents and a shiny sill plate: rivaling the CTS’ dashboard for mid-market luxury supremacy.
No matter, fold the seats and luggage volume becomes a reasonable 58 cubic feet: not exactly striking fear into the Volvo V70, but other European Estates in this price range have some competition. Even the CTS Sport Wagon’s rearward visibility “looks” far better than the blocky pillars and sparse glass imply.
Sadly, relative to boosted Volvos, Audis, and V8 Benzes and Bimmers, the CTS Sport Wagon’s dynamic demeanor is downright uninspired. With the direct injected V6 in play, the CTS Sport Wagon feels downright sluggish until the tach swings above 4000 revolutions. And with no manual transmission option, the sloth like motions of the standard six-speed automatic make for a powertrain that’s like a hibernating bear woken up by a foolish hiker. Hit the gas when the light turns green and there’s a big snore underhood, followed by an explosion of accelerative mediocrity.
If today’s Cadillac can’t muster up class leading acceleration, at least the Germanic chassis and taut suspension are done right. Sporting the somewhat-famous “FE3” suspension moniker, the CTS Sport Wagon has more grip than any street going wagoneer ever needs, and keeps things flat and drama free in the suburbs. Push harder on highway sweepers and the estate still remains flat. Understeer is out there, somewhere, but reaching
the CTS Sport Wagon’s upper limits takes dedication and blatant disregard for public safety: this wagon is made for the Nürburgring.
Even better, the Caddy’s steering feel is omnipresent and boundless, making the CTS Sport Wagon feel far smaller and lighter than the 4200lb curb weight suggests. Get some steam in the motor and this whip is an absolute hoot to drive. Just stay on smooth pavement.
Like every other brand with visions of BMW conquests, Cadillacs lose their composure when things get bumpy. FE3 fettling be damned, the 19-inch rolling stock cause more in-cabin jolt than an AMG E-class wagon, with not enough cornering prowess to compensate. If bad roads are a normal part of your commute, get the base suspension. Or wait for a Magnaride option.
No, really. The good stuff isn’t available on a normal Cadillac: Buick’s half-dead Lucerne gets a torque monster V8 and Magnaride, buyers of GM’s top brand must ante for the V-series. So the CTS Sport Wagon is another import wannabe struggling to find its raison d’être: while the components for success gather dust on GM’s shelves. Instead of making the best sedan on the market, Cadillac made a (limited production) station wagon.
Respectable performer or no, this is one more mistake in a series of the wrong moves: why not reincarnate the Cadillac Hearse next time, underwriting a Ghostbuster’s sequel for its introduction?
More by Sajeev Mehta
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- George Some Folks should remember the newest version of this car as the Chevy Aveo was a Free car given away by the White House when Obama was in office and made it happen for folks who had a big old truck that ate gas.so this was meant to help you get to and from work and save at the pump. But one guy was upset that he was receiving a car which he didn’t want but a truck of his choice He Should Understand This:Obama was trying to get you to point A to Point B He wasn’t trying to help you socially by telling your friends that Hey! I Got a New Truck Just Like You Do So Don’t Write Me Off just because you got a new truck and I Don’t.
- Frank I worked for a very large dealer group back in 2014 and this sat in the crown jewel spot at our GM store showroom. It sat, and sat...and sat. Thing was a boat anchor. I remember the price being insane for a re-skinned Chevy Volt that was also a boat anchor
- George When I Seen This So Called Nova(Really A Corolla Sold Elsewhere) I could tell this Car And The Corolla that you could buy here or rent at a car rental place Is very Different The interior Floor In This Nova is very high like in a rear wheel drive car where the regular Corolla the entire interior floor is several inches lower that your head doesn’t touch the ceiling and feels very roomy like in a chevette with no tightness and the Corolla gives you a option,Split folding seat backs so you can haul long items and more cargo space using your back seat area. Which you don’t get with that Nova I Wonder Why GM/ Toyota didn’t Offer things like this for this car? It would make this Nova A hit like the Corolla was. And if you bought a Metro OR Suzuki Swift You’ll Get All Of These Features Standard and ONLY Pay For A Few options Floor mats Wheels Covers Air Conditioning and Automatic transmission and that’s it I guess some buyers were buying this car as a second car just to get around by.
- Lou_BC I can't see how eliminating 2 different engine tunes is a cost saving measure. It's just programming.
- Inside Looking Out Because they have money.
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I can get by the so so power on this CTS, the Audi A6 Avant sold for a number of years with less. Same goes for the lack of manual transmission (potential deal breaker for me) The big disappointment for me was the lack of rear seat headroom, horrible egress and ingress out of the rear seat. The head room and sloping rear door is just stupid design on a wagon. The thick D pillar and low load roof just adds to the ??? What were they thinking factor. I was hoping this would be a potential replacement for my 06 Volvo V70R but I cam away shaking my head. In terms of ergonomics there wasn't one area where the Caddy outshone the Volvo and it was designed 10 years ago...
It is almost surreal that this entry level small wagon with minature sized cargo bay, an all aluminum V6 engine and modern plastic bumpers and wide use of aluminum weights the same as a 1990's full sized, full framed V8 powered iron block 350 Vette motor B-body wagon with gargantuan interior room and comfort that surprise scored 5 star crash test and had many of todays safety features like side guard door beams, ABS, dual front air bags and special catcher mit style seats. No wonder the engines are dogs, especially the torque deficient 3.0 liter V6. How is an engine that produces 223 LBS FT supposed to do the same thing as the former LT1 350 with 335 LBS FT or even the old Northstar with 300 LBS FT with both V8's at lower RPM's.