Vehicle Tested
| 2013 Cadillac CTS-V
Base Price: $63,215
At-Tested Price: $72,100
Built in Lansing, Michigan.
Options
Recaro High-Performance Seats
Metal Pedals
Heated & Vented Seats
Gas Guzzler Tax
Crystal Red Paint
19-Inch Satin Graphite Wheels
Midnight Sapele Wood Trim Package
Red Brake Calipers
Sueded Steering Wheel & Shifter
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-liter V8
Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive
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Cadillac takes a shot at ultra-sport Euro competitors with its CTS-V. Designed to go head-to-head with the BMW 3-Series M-Edtions, the Cadillac CTS-V is anything but a typical Euro-flavored sport sedan. It's a steroid-injected race car for the street.
Utilizing the highly-decorated Cadillac CTS midsize luxury sedan as a starting point, engineers have added a V moniker in each available bodystyle--coupe, sedan, and wagon. Out goes the 3.6-liter V6 and in goes the 556-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the ZR1 'Vette. Also coming along in the conversion from pedestrian CTS to CTS-V are a sport-tuned version of GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension, seriously upgraded Brembo disc brakes at all four corners and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires mounted on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Managing all of the power is a Performance Traction Management system straight from the Corvette.
The interior also gets CTS-V treatment with available Recaro-brand seats, Alacantara suede-like microfiber wrap for the steering wheel and shift level, LED lighting, and hand-cut-and sewn interior accents. The CTS-V-exclusive gauge layout includes a boost gauge, a lateral acceleration display and an LED-lit "tracer" function in the tachometer that flashes as the engine nears the red line.
Unlike other CTS models, which offer available all-wheel drive, the CTS-V is only offered with rear-wheel drive.
Regardless of bodystyle, the CTS-V lists for $64,515. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic with manual-shift capability. Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, traction control, rear-obstacle-detection system, rear-view camera, tire-pressure monitor, wiper-activated headlights, daytime running lights and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags.
Standard features on the CTV-V include limited-slip differential, navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic information, air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, OnStar assistance system with one year service, power tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio and climate controls, cruise control, leather/alcantara upholstery, heated 10-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), center console, trunk pass-through (sedan), split-folding rear seat (coupe, wagon), heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, Bose AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with USB port and hard drive, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, variable-intermittent wipers, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, power liftgate (wagon), rear wiper/washer (wagon), automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, steering-linked adaptive HID headlights with washers, fog lights, 255/40YR19 front and 285/35YR19 rear tires and alloy wheels.
Options include sunroof (panoramic on the sedan and wagon), wood and interior trim, heated and ventilated front seats and polished alloy wheels. Like other CTS models, the V has a $895 destination charge and is assembled in Lansing, Michigan.
Get Up and Go Regardless of bodystyle, CTS-V is extremely fast -- in a way that will humble even world-class supercars. Stomp on the go pedal from a standstill and the V will rush from 0 to 60 mph in a tick over four seconds. Keep your foot planted for a total of ten seconds and you are traveling in excess of 100 mph. Even more impressive is the way the CTS-V accelerates. There's no drama or fuss, the engine simply vaults the car forward with the thrust of a rocket whenever your right foot demands it.
With all that acceleration on tap, you'd think the CTS-V would be cumbersome to drive in traffic. That's far from the case. It's as demure and refined as you'd expect a Cadillac to be, even in rush-hour slogging.
Complementing the engine are two great transmissions. The six-speed automatic upshifts seamlessly and quickly responds to even slight throttle input to downshift for more power. Under hard acceleration, the transmission shifts with precision befitting the finest European automatics. The same can be said for the manual, which has a solid and connected feel. Though the clutch is expectedly beefy in feel, it never grows tiresome and has a consistent pickup point.
With more than 550 horsepower routed to just the rear wheels, the CTV-V thankfully comes standard with traction control. That helps maintain control in hard acceleration, but Chicagoans will want to consider snow tires or high-quality all-season rubber in winter months. Don't try and drive the CTS-V with the optional summer tires in the snow, you will regret it -- and you'll get to know the body shop manager on a first-name basis.
When equipped with the automatic transmission, the CTS-V is EPA rated at 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. Manual transmission models net out slightly better at 14 and 19. Dismal as those numbers are, the news gets even worse as Cadillac says the thirsty supercharged V8 requires premium-grade gasoline. In routine driving, expect to average 15-17 mpg, perhaps 20 mpg if your daily commute includes a fair amount of routine expressway driving. Keep in mind that fuel economy will dip alarmingly every time you exercise the lusty V8.
On the Road Though the CTS-V sports ultra-wide 19-inch tires, it rides with an air of comfort over all but the most badly-broken roads. Minor road imperfections are nicely quelled and larger bumps are softened -- somewhat. There is simply no float or bounce on wavy roads. Enthusiasts will appreciate the firm and accurate steering and powerful brakes. Body lean is nil and the tires have ample grip.
The CTS-V isn't the quietest luxury sport sedan on the road. The engine sounds refined in acceleration and emits a soothing burble when cruising. Wind noise is low but tire noise intrudes on coarse concrete pavement.
Overall, the CTS-V is sophisticated and composed and matches European competitors at Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz step for step on twisty roads.
Behind the Wheel CTS-V has an interior befitting a super luxury-sports car. Materials are top notch and assembly quality is excellent. An optional stitched-leather dash top, a feature found only in very expensive premium luxury cars, is especially impressive.
Despite the abundance of electronic gadgets, basic interior controls are familiar, easy to reach, and clearly marked. Thankfully most of the technology is optional, so people who just want basic luxury don't have to put up with awkward control inputs that are common in other luxury cars. Sadly, CTS doesn't get the innovative and functional CUE system found on the newer-design ATS and XTS.
Front sports seats are firm and confining. They aren't as soft or broad as traditional Cadillac seats, but they are comfortable and offer exceptional support in spirited driving. With plenty of seat adjustments and a tilt-telescope steering wheel, most drivers will find it easy to get comfortable. Outward visibility is good forward, but restricted by thick rear pillars.
The rear seats are comfortable and nicely finished. If the front seats are pushed more than halfway back, knee room is very tight. The driveline hump is quite large and precludes sitting three across.
Cargo capacity jumps from 13.6 cubic feet on the sedan to a full 25 cubic feet on the wagon. Folding down the rear seats increases cargo capacity to 58 cubic feet, just shy of most crossover SUVs. The standard power tailgate is a nice touch but not all that necessary. Interior storage is adequate, highlighted by small front-door map pockets and a large glovebox.
Bottom Line Simply put, the CTS-V is a Cadillac with the heart of a Corvette. There's no denying its performance credentials, but perhaps more impressive is the way it maintains levels of sophistication and refinement that make run-of-the-mill CTS models class-leaders.
No doubt fuel economy is the biggest weak point of the CTS-V. That said, if you can afford a $70,000 wagon, fuel prices are probably the last of your concerns. Kudos to Cadillac for having the chutzpa to make a car like the CTS-V, it's a one-on-a-kind American dream machine.
Specifications 2013 Cadillac CTS-V
| Dimensions
| 4-door sedan
| Engine
| Supercharged OHV V8
| Wheelbase, in.
| 113.4 | Size, liters/cu. in.
| 6.2 / 376
| Length, in.
| 191.3
| Horsepower | 556 @ 6100
| | Width, in. | 72.5
| Torque (lb.-ft.)
| 551 @ 3800
| | Height, in. | 57.3
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | Weight, lbs.
| 4219
| EPA MPG
| 14 city / 19 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 13.6 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gal.
| 18.0
| Warranty | Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 4 years / 50,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 38.8
| Powertrain
| 7 years / 70,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 42.4
| Corrosion
| 6 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 37.2
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 6 years / 70,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 36.1
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| 4 years / 50,000 miles
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