The first thing I'd do is opt out of these seats. Yeah, I know they're Recaros and I guess to some that's supposed to mean performance or something, but frankly they're not that good. Support is in the wrong places, and I can't adjust them to a comfortable position. Maybe it's me, but I've never had this problem with Recaros before.
The rest of the car is OK; it's tight and solid. Something weird happened this morning when I first started the car; it was jerky under part throttle. It idled smoothly and if I got in to the gas, it smoothed out, but partial throttle it was just the slightest bit rough. Once it was warmed up it felt fine. There is enough power here, though.
The interior is nice except for the aforementioned seats, and I find the touch screen hard to see in certain light.
Overall, not a bad piece, but no way in hell I'd take one over an A6. The Audi A6 with the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 hits the sweet spot for me.
SENIOR EDITOR FOR NEWS BOB GRITZINGER: Maybe I found a button that Wes didn't, but once I let some of the pressure out of the lumbar support, that Recaro driver's seat fit like a glove. Some might find the CTS cabin a tad claustrophobic, but I find it a cozy and contained cocoon with everything right where I want it. The driving position felt near-perfect for my 5-foot-10 frame.
I agree that this V6 offers plenty of power, revving nicely when pushed and running silently otherwise, matching the whole Cadillac ethos of refined performance. It may not be quite as silky as an inline BMW six-cylinder, but what is?
Otherwise, the car rides and handles well, managing bumps without drama and smoothing out most surfaces without any disconnected softness in the suspension. The steering effort builds perfectly in cornering.
There's little here to quibble about: I'd like some clarity to the busy center stack, which combines big obvious knobs and buttons with the not-so-obvious touch-screen controls. The combination, which I think Lexus also seemed to think was smart, makes it hard to figure out which control to use to manage audio and navigation. My tendency is to grab the big knob in the middle to change map scale, or to tune the radio, and it doesn't do either. Just a little frustrating, and something that I assume an owner would figure out in due time.
Overall, this is one great sports sedan, one that drives, handles and looks the like one.
SENIOR WEB REPORTER GREG MIGLIORE: This athletic Cadillac is a great example of power and luxury. It handles very spryly, and I did a couple of energetic loops through turnarounds with ease. The chassis is nice and tight and the body well controlled. I also found the steering to be very precise, and it offers more feedback in more vigorous driving.
The V6 is a gem, and the power is strong and enjoyable. I love the rear-wheel drive. To me, that's a pillar of true luxury and performance.
This CTS cuts a sharp appearance, with sporty wheels, excellent headlights and taillights and gobs of refined attitude. When I think of gutsy styling, the CTS is the definition of those words.
The interior is quiet, and the dials very elegant. I liked the Recaros; they fit me perfectly. And I thought the interior struck the right tone for a stately yet powerful demeanor.
2010 Cadillac CTS Performance
Base Price: $42,390
As-Tested Price: $52,390
Drivetrain: 3.6-liter V6; RWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 304 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 273 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,874 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 21/19.8 mpg
Options: Performance luxury package including audible theft-deterrent system, LED interior ambient lighting, driver and front-passenger heated and cooled seats, rear split-folding seats, power tilt/telescoping wheel, keyless access, remote start, rear park assist, sapele wood-trim package, automatic cabin odor filter ($2,855); Recaro high-performance seats and metal pedals ($2,800); navigation system including premium sound, 10-speaker system, 40GB hard drive, satellite traffic ($2,145); 19-inch summer-tire performance package including 19-inch polished aluminum wheels, 19-inch summer tires, sport suspension system, steering-wheel-mounted shift controls, performance cooling system, performance cooling disc brakes ($2,090); underhood appearance package ($110)
