Take note luxury car lovers: the new 2008 Cadillacs are now available and there's big improvements rolling off those car carriers --- especially in the totally redesigned, completely reworked, and newly relevant CTS. What Cadillac is bringing out as their entry-level sedan is finally a top-notch sedan that's got solid performance, quality workmanship, and a truly elegant and spacious interior cabin. What Cadillac finally has in its showroom is a car that actually justifies its price tag. What Cadillac has is a CTS that discriminating car buyers can justify and honestly prefer over BMW 328i, Lexus ES, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Acura TL, or Infiniti G35.

Yes, the 2008 Cadillac CTS really is THAT good!

I've never said things like that about CTS before, and its because I didn't think it was true. I would have bought any of the aforementioned German or Japanese branded sedans, and driven happily. I'd have been quite unhappy spending the same money on a Cadillac. The CTS just did not compare.

Yesterday, I drove a new 2008 Cadillac CTS.

Wow!

Now THIS is the car that GM should have had as its entry-level Cadillac in the first place! THIS is a car that won't be an embarrassment to the proud tradition of elegance that the Cadillac nameplate has historically represented. THIS is a car for people who normally have to turn to upscale foriegn brands in order to satisfy their demand for quality.

Everything I detested about the 2007 Cadillac CTS is fixed in the 2008 model. The 2008 CTS doesn't look a whole lot different from the 2007 CTS, at least at a glance, but the interior is light years ahead of last year's model, the performance is now what you expect in this class, and everything else I wanted fixed got fixed. More importantly, the fixes aren't band-aids --- they're substantial, and all I can say is "Wow! Now, THIS is a Cadillac!"


What Was Wrong with a 2007 Cadillac CTS???
Before I get down to telling you about the new '08 Caddy, let me just touch on a couple things that were glaring problems last year, making Cadillac a total non-choice among entry level luxury sedans:
* Wimpy drivetrain: Cadillac had a weak 2.8L 6-cylinder that could barely nudge its way over the 200-hp magic threshold (it was actually a 210hp plant...not horrendous, but consider that for about the same money, Infiniti G35 could do about 300 horses). The CTS wasn't a total sleeping dog, but it was no greyhound --- and that's what you really need to be to be taken seriously in this market niche.
* Cheesy interior: Cadillac is a luxury brand, and even in its smallest, most elemental form, quality should be apparent. But in the 2007 CTS, ergonomics were worse than Dodge Neon's and the materials and workmanship bore an unsightly and unsettling resemblance to that of the Pontiac Grand Ams of the mid 1990s. Soft, low-grade plastics dominated the cheap-looking dash. Fit and finish was sloppy. Optional fake wood grained panels did little to mask the cut corners. Ergonomics was so horrible they actually had a cluster of buttons on the steering wheel with such intuitive labels as "1", "2", "3", "4", and believe it or not, "5". What those buttons did is anybody's guess. What Cadillac didn't do was to put functions that might make sense --- like cruise control buttons --- on the steering wheel. Cheesy...not luxury.
* Cheesy exterior: Buy the most stripped down Lexus ES and you get a pretty nice looking ride with good quality fit, finish, and materials. Buy even a fairly well loaded 2007 CTS and you get painfully obvious cheap plastics in the badly designed grill and in the ugly wheel covers. The wheels looked like they belonged on something with Aveo's price tag, not CTS's!

Despite its corner cutting and sloppy execution, the 2007 Cadillac CTS had a fundamentally sound platform with strong, aggressive body styling and what might have been a very competitive vehicle, given its more spacious interior cabin than most competitors. The devil is in the details though, and when you got down to details, the 2007 Cadillac CTS basically sucked. (As a luxury sedan, anyway -- it was still nicer than your basic mid-size family hauler). It was certainly not worth its price.


What Did Cadillac Do for 2008???
The 2008 Cadillac CTS is much improved. The most obvious changes are:

* Bigger engine: The base 3.6 litre is boosted to a minimum of 258 horsepower, but with the optional direct injection, it kicks out 304 horsepower --- a HOOOOOJ improvement and actually lets CTS be taken seriously on the "performance" side of the equation. Without this, everyone would continue to think that buying an Infiniti G35 instead of a CTS was a "no brainer".
* Cleaned up exterior details: the grill upgrade was long overdue. It's a bit ostentatious, but at least its not obviously cheap. The new wheel covers look pretty slick, and I even like the little vent ports on the side of the front end. The body's slightly wider too, with a noticeable extra flare in the rear wheel wells (reminiscent of a Chrysler 300).
* Radically redesigned interior cabin: Cadillac went from drab to fab with this interior! The dash is brilliantly reworked and gone are all the low-grade plastics, replaced with higher quality, more durable materials, sparse clean lines that are reminiscent of BMW's, and improved seats. Upscale appointments like the carbon fiber inlays give it class, distinction, and a modern flair that will appeal to younger drivers. Nice!

But let's take a closer look at the car...


Cadillac CTS Gets a Makeover!
I've always liked the chiseled, angular looks of the Cadillac CTS. I've also liked its masculine attitude, and I've been impressed at its proportions. It's not so long that it's an obviously oversized behemoth, but among the entry-level luxury sedans, it's got one of the bigger footprints.

For 2008, Cadillac leaves the basic shape of the car alone, with the only significant body change being the widening of its hips --- the new model displays more flare at the rear fenders than previous years, and the net effect is, I think, to even enhance its sense of bulk.

You can spot the '08 in an instant by looking at the front end. The side vents positioned just forward and below the rear view mirrors are a stylishly retro feeling dash of personality that's notably missing from too many cars. It's like the signature port holes on the front end of a Buick. The other big change is, as I've mentioned, the grill. The grill not only looks like its made of better quality materials than those of the '07 models, it also has the same look and proportions of grills on some of the bigger Cadillac models, and consistent signatures across the models is a good way to build brand identity --- with this grill, GM is saying "Make no mistake, this is a real Cadillac". Just like the liver-shaped grills that brand every BMW you see rolling out of the showrooms.

The cheesy looking plastic wheelcovers are replaced at the entry level with a 7-spoke 17-inch, machine-finish on black paint wheel. Again. HOOOOJ improvement. You can also get 18-inch wheels with different finishes.

Overall, the car looks considerably more elegant than previous models, and it looks competently ready to get out on the road.


Inside the 2008 Cadillac CTS...
No detail of the CTS interior was left untouched in this redesign. The difference is radical, and it's all good.

The seats feel better, and they look better with clean stitching lines and a stylish, though tastefully small signature logo set into the backs. The seat backs too are state-of-the-art, with thinner heft and a scopped out inset in the back, which gives the rear passengers a good inch or so of extra knee room.

Interior space is simply phenomenal. This is the most spacious interior of its class, and if you're a tall person --- even an unusually tall person, you will be very happy with the legroom on this Caddy. When I put the seat in the furthest back position I could not even touch the front floor panel. Not even close...and I'm not a short guy --- I'm about 6 feet tall. I think this car was designed with NBA basketball players in mind because I can't for the life of me figure out who else would really want to move their seats back as far as this car lets you. Push back on the seat back and you'll be as impressed as I am with the firm support that you get there, and take a look at the seat width, and feel the way your body just nestles in comfortably. This is a seat that you really could live in for very comfortable cross-country road trips. The seats are heated and ventilated (and believe me, after I chow down on a few chili cheese dogs, I need some ventilation for my seats!)

What's more remarkable is the rear seat comfort and space. Even with the front seats all the way back, a smaller passenger will still have adequate leg room and with any human of normal proportions in front, humans of normal proportions could also sit behind them. Creature comforts in the rear include an excellent pull-down center console, with drink holders and thick leather-clad padding, and rear A/C vents with controls. With rear seat space that's in line with what you get in the class above this one, plus great rear seat features and outstanding comfort, this is the act to beat for anybody whose daily needs include space for 3 or 4 (or even 5) passengers. I've got kids, and I'm looking forward to ticking them off as I move the seat up a notch or two, putting it so far forward that they won't even be able to think of kicking my seat back (the weasels!)

The cockpit design is stunningly beautiful. Its swoopy lines remind me of those in the Infinitis and the angular sides are as innovative as the visual masterpiece that Volvo's got on its hands with its "floating" center stack look. I can't recall ever being so dumbstruck by artistry and intelligently innovative design in any GM product. This is a beautiful cockpit design.

There's plastic surfaces on the dash and on the door panels, but it's good quality dense plastic that's going to wear well. Push down your thumb on the top of the dashboard and feel how well it's padded. When's the last time you've seen that kind of attention to detail in a GM car? And I absolutely love the dark strip of carbon fiber inlay that runs along the dash surfaces. Very slick, very nice, and a refreshing change from burled wood grain.

If there's one thing that Cadillac's done to tick me off though, it's in the human factors area. I'm a huge fan of excellence in ergonomic engineering, and almost everybody gives me something to nitpick about when it comes to placement, labeling, and utility of its controls. GM has done some interesting things with this car, and they've changed a lot of things. That's normally fodder for my brand of complaining. But not today. The center console is impeccably designed with intelligence and professionalism, as is the primary cluster, the steering wheel controls, and even the door-mounted controls. In fact, I have never driven a car with better-designed steering wheel and door-mounted controls, not in this class, and not in classes several notches above this one.

What Cadillac got right on the door was the smooth, clean surface design that emulates what I like best about some of the BMW models, but what they did great was the way they mounted the window controls at an angle so that they're not easily nudged by a resting arm, and the way they mounted the door lock controls in an intuitive, yet not industry-standard position just forward of the door latch. You can't miss it there, nor do you not immediately guess what its for.

I totally detested the steering wheel on the last 2007 CTS that I drove --- horrendous usability and cheap feeling quality, yet this steering wheel is large, hefty, and feels like its constructed of top-notch materials. It's also got cruise controls on one side --- and every cruise function there...not one "on" switch obscurely placed on the dash someplace, and it's got stereo controls on the other. The function of each control is clear, the buttons have great tactile feedback, they're shaped well, and they're designed to integrate with the wheel aesthetics. Somebody at GM must have gotten an "A" back in their industrial design classes, because they sure know what they're doing here.

I love the analog clock...of course it makes me think I'm driving an Infiniti, but that's not necessarily a bad thing since up to now, I've been recommending an Infiniti G35 as the best car to buy if you're seriously thinking about a CTS. Naturally, this car changes that value judgment. What really impresses me on the center stack is the design of the climate controls. 4 quadrants surround the knob to activate major functions...and the buttons are large, intelligently arranged, and obviously labeled.

The primary instrument cluster features large, well-labeled gauges. It's a clean design and I like the soft blue background lighting that it shows at night.

I also like the placement and design of the gear shift, and I love its smooth, precise action and the way it clicks into gear with authority.

Cadillac finally has an interior design that's as aesthetically clean and pleasing as the best European luxury sedans with all the functional and material quality that the best Japanese luxury cars can muster. Impressive. Very impressive.


Driving the '08 CTS...
The driving dynamics are totally changed on the '08 CTS. It handles better than ever, and for once, it can actually keep up with the pack when going for a run with cars in its class. You feel the difference right away. The most basic engine you can get outperforms last year's with a better than 20% increase in power output, and Cadillac's direct injection DOHC 3.6L V-6 brings the difference up to about 50%. In a car that's not a lot heavier than last year. The result is that the CTS will do 0-6 in under 6 seconds and can now post better acceleration specs than BMW's 328i or Lexus's IS250 (oh sure, it'll still get outrun by the 335 or IS350, but CTS will have its V-series configuration in showrooms within a couple months to blow the doors off those cars).

On the highway, the CTS transmission is smooth as buttermilk, effortlessly working its way through its 6-speed gearbox without a clunk or a jolt along the way. You get a bit of a growl from the engine when you tromp on the gas at a green light, but the car is remarkably quiet and smooth for the most part.

What really has me saying, "THIS is a Cadillac???" is the way it corner and the way it can run through a sequence of curves. I've got this wonderfully twisty little road near my house that's got steep inclines and aggressive non-banked curves posted with plenty of warning signs and a penalty zone of a 200 foot sheer drop if you screw up. It's a wonderful place to push a car just a little bit, and the Cadillac seems to love driving this stretch of road as much as I do. My friendly local Cadillac salesman tells me that the suspension's been beefed up and stiffened, borrowing elements from the Corvette-inspired V-series. While I still feel like I'm nestled into a Natuzzi leather easy chair, the car just glides around the curves with smooth stability and effortless grace, even as I edge towards double the posted "safe speed" (unless of course you're a Texas State Trooper, in which case, you just KNOW this is all rhetorical B.S., right??) Wink, wink.

For a performance luxury car, the agility of the CTS is excellent, feeling as solid and stable as an Acura with none of the wallow or ponderous hesitation that you expect to find in big cars bearing U.S. luxury brand badges. For a Cadillac, this vehicle is stunning to drive and is a car that could actually give me all the conservative luxury you expect in a Cadillac, coupled with the kind of performance you normally have to shop BMW or Acura to find.


Just the Fax...
The 2008 Cadillac CTS has an MSRP starting at $32,245. Add $1200 for an automatic. Add $995 for one of the upgraded paint jobs. Add $900 if you want the HOOOJ "ultraview" sunroof. Add even more for the 300-watt Bose stereo upgrade. The car comes with OnStar and XM radio, but of course, you'll be paying subscription prices after the initial delivery period ends.

For the record, that puts Cadillac's base MSRP a whopping $5 below the Infiniti G35 and about $1,000 above the Mercedes C-class. Frankly though, given the amount of space and the outstanding redesign job that Cadillac's done on the interior cabin of this car, I can't see myself wanting the C-class....not even to save $1K.

With 14 cubic feet of trunk space, the CTS can haul home more beer than any other entry level luxury car on the market, though I think I might actually put it in the back seat instead of the trunk so I can use those rear-seat A/C vents to keep it nice and chilly.

GM's standard 5 year, 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty is also the best in the business, so you're likely to be looking at several years of dependable, cost-effective driving.

Mileage on this car is not good at 17MPG city and 26 highway, though its greenhouse gas emissions are better than normal, so at least you're not quite the anti-social pariah that some drivers might be.

Naturally, there's no manufacturer incentives or dealer discounts on this newly introduced model, and to be honest, this CTS is so good that I'd be shocked to see them anytime soon. Get used to paying full MSRP for an American car. This one is worth it.


Should You Drive a 2008 Cadillac CTS???
GM has a sure-fire winner on its hands with the Cadillac CTS.

This entry level luxury sedan handily beats anything currently on the market in terms of interior comfort, luxury, and design sophistication and its got the kind of performance that makes it a competent contender in a market where agility, acceleration, and driving dynamics really do count. Discriminating car buyers looking for a top-notch quality luxury sedan in a mid-size footprint configuration should go out of their way to look at the new 2008 Cadillac CTS. Go now. The car rocks.



Amount Paid (US$): 35,000
Condition: New