• Overall
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Prices
• Photo Gallery

Cadillac CTS - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Cadillac CTS ranks 5 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 34 published reviews and test drives of the Cadillac CTS, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The automotive press has reached a consensus: the CTS is the best sedan Cadillac has produced in a long time, and deserves consideration alongside the best German sport sedans. The midsize luxury four-door delivers good performance, sharp styling and an interior that offers genuine luxury. A few complaints remain, however. Its manual transmission suffers from stiffness and long throws, and its front seats seem to divide reviewers, so they may not fit some body types well. Its fuel economy is also a bit low for this class -- an important consideration even for luxury car buyers today.

Redesigned just last year, the 2009 CTS is identical to the 2008 model. Cadillac hasn't even offered new colors for this year. But the car's bold exterior, driver-oriented cockpit-style interior and strong performance numbers suggest that no change was needed.

The CTS is widely considered the first GM product in a long time to stack up well against imported luxury cars -- and it has acquitted itself well in comparison tests against models costing thousands more. "For that remarkable achievement, and for making us grin like lottery winners every time we drove it, the CTS is our enthusiastic choice for Motor Trend's 2008 Car of the Year," says Motor Trend. The 2009 CTS has also recognized as one of Car and Driver's "10 Best" cars -- the second time it has claimed that honor.

It still trails some of its imported competition in performance numbers.  BMW's 3-Series and Infiniti's G37 are both quicker cars, and more balanced in cornering. 

But the CTS offers a more driver-friendly cockpit than either of them -- with levels of comfort that approach what Lexus offers in the ES, but with an edgier sense of style that has won the CTS many fans.  Its unobtrusive cabin electronics seem to win particular praise.

General Motors has declared bankruptcy, but the CTS should be unaffected.  Cadillac is one of the brands GM intends to preserve, and the CTS is one of its best-selling, most critically successful cars.

The CTS is available in just one trim level, with either rear- or all-wheel drive , with either of two V6 engines, and with a manual or automatic six-speed transmission.  A high-performance version, the CTS-V, is reviewed separately.

• "Arguably the best GM car available in North America, the CTS is proof that Cadillac can build a world-class competitor against the best from the German and Japanese luxury brands.... The CTS is a refined and handsome sports sedan that will coddle traditionalists and convert buyers raised on German and Japanese sports sedans." -- Car and Driver
• "Cadillac CTS looks great and is relatively roomy inside. It's got lots of poke for the performance enthusiast with the bigger engine and available all-wheel drive. For those who don't need or want the extra stuff, there's lots of style with the standard V6 and rear-wheel drive." -- New Car Test Drive
• "The 2009 Cadillac CTS, with its dashing style, fine road manners and classy cabin, can more than hold its own against rivals from Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. If you're shopping for an entry-level luxury sport sedan, the CTS is worthy of serious consideration." -- Edmunds
• "Cadillac's smallest sedan is a legitimate alternative to cars from Audi, BMW, and Infiniti. We especially like the Direct Injection model for its refinement and performance. Competitive pricing is icing on the cake for this premium midsize sedan." -- Consumer Guide
• "Boiled down to what matters most to the basic car, the new Lansing, Michigan-built 2008 Cadillac CTS -- with its excellent powertrain, great handling, substantially improved interior and dramatic new styling -- succeeds on all levels." -- Road and Track
• "This car isn't just good -- it's world-class. ... Inside and out, it's better, cleaner and offers everything a customer is looking for in a well-priced luxury sedan." --Detroit News
• "The new CTS is still not a world-beater, but it is definitely a contender, and it deserves a lot of serious attention." -- BusinessWeek
• "With this bold, savvy, uncompromising showpiece of a sedan...GM has leapt straight from the rabble's side of the velvet rope into that coveted, highly selective inner sanctum marked 'World's Finest Cars.'" -- Motor Trend

CTS Performance - 8.8 (Very Good)

In our performance, the 2009 CTS outperforms many imports that Cadillac wouldn't dream of challenging just a few years ago. It gets a lot of power from its V6 engines, and Motor Trend raves, "It's not just the best-handling Caddy in history, but probably the best-handling American sedan ever." Equally important, it can cruise comfortably when its driver doesn't want a performance car. Two engine choices let buyers decide how much performance they're willing to pay for. continue

CTS Exterior - 8.6 (Very Good)

The 2009 Cadillac CTS is a sharp, angular car in a class full of rounded, sleek sedans.  The contrast works in the Caddy's favor. The Kansas City Star says, "There's a hint of forward movement throughout the design even while the car is standing still." The styling has won almost universal praise from the automotive press.  See it for yourself with our photo gallery. continue

CTS Interior - 8.3 (Very Good)

Cadillacs once represented luxury to American buyers, but the make's reputation fell with quality problems in the 1990s. The CTS has grabbed the mantle back for GM's luxury division. AutoWeek says, "The interior of the '08 CTS feels completely fresh yet entirely like a Cadillac, and it looks as elegant as anything on the road."  Reviewers are particularly fond of the navigation system, which hides away when not in use, and the interior LED lighting. continue

CTS Safety - 9.4 (Excellent)

The 2009 Cadillac CTS scores well in federal government crash tests, although slightly below class leaders. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2009 CTS a "Top Safety Pick" because the car earned perfect scores in the Institute's tests and offers standard stability control. continue

CTS Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2009 Cadillac CTS reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Cadillac provides a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty on all new CTS sedans. A powertrain warranty longer than what most rivals offer also makes a good value argument for Caddy's midsize sedan. continue