Driven: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

Somebody needs to tell the guys at Cadillac that cars are supposed to be a trade-off between fun and practicality, because lots of people there obviously didn’t get that memo.

 

I had run in to Connie Burke from General Motors back in the spring and she was kind enough to lend me a new CTS-V Sport Wagon for a week in exchange for my thoughts.  ( Dave’s note to Connie: you were right and I was wrong; this is one amazing car).

Skeptical until it arrived, the elongated lines of the Sport Wagon give it a much more balanced look that simply eludes its sibling coupe and sedan.  Not often I wax poetic about a wagon but the shape makes the coupe and sedan feel like a design after thought.

Crystal Red Tintcoat, 19 inch satin graphite wheels, and yellow calipers make for a very attractive exterior, especially when mated to the ebony interior that’s the best looking inside I’ve seen in a while.

Recaros seats came with my car and are a $2,500 must have option considering the high cornering speed this thing is capable of.

Twist the key and a distant rumble announces 555 HP has just come on-line, and even your kids are going to know you didn’t buy this thing just to haul stuff.  But haul it will and I think I put things back there just to see what would fit.  (a lot)

PROS:

• 0-60 in 4.2 sec (the manual is even faster)
• Ticket-proof—“I couldn’t have been going that fast officer.  It’s a wagon…”
• Fat wheel and tire combination make corners fun
• Recaro seats and they’re a must for spirited driving
• Lots of “cool dude”, comments when parked
• Long on SPORT and short on WAGON
• to a 150 MPH  you will surprise 90% of the “fast cars” out there

CONS:

• Badly needs a sports exhaust–seriously, if you’re going to cram this much grunt into a car, you have to be able to hear it!!
• Should say “Supercharged” on the sides
• Power windows need a surgeons’ touch to get them to stop where you want
• Get a sunroof
• Front spoiler easily scraped

The Competition:

Porsche Panamera S, and the BMW X6M, both of which are a ton more dough, and in my opinion,  don’t have nearly the pizzazz.  You really have to get way, way up there until you’ll find a sports wagon that can beat this beast.

You can spend a whole lot more money than the Cadillac and buy a whole lot less car.  Caddy’s done their homework and somebody in their think tank needs a pat on the back.

See you on down the road,

Dave

Dave Miller

Dave Miller drives the fastest, coolest, sexiest cars on the planet. He travels the world uncovering the hidden gems in luxury transportation, meeting the owners, and connecting with extraordinary car enthusiasts. Dave is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and writes for various publications.

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