2008 Cadillac CTS

As I walked out to my driveway and took in the brilliance of the all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS that had been delivered, I could hardly wait to take it for a spin.

But before I could slip behind the wheel, I found myself walking around and admiring its outward appeal. For 2008, the exterior has been reworked substantially, and Cadillac's entry-level - hardly seems fair to call it that - sport sedan features an athletic and luxurious coupelike physique.

I like the crisp, edgy styling. The side air extractors in the front fenders pay homage to previous Cadillac models and the impressive grille was inspired by the Cadillac Sixteen concept car.

The CTS has been widened slightly, and the wider stance gives the model a more planted look. Front-to-back, the '08 CTS looks great. Around back, the polished exhaust tips and LED tail lamps add to the overall elegance.

The interior is equally pleasing. The cabin is spacious and luxurious. There's plenty of head and legroom for six-footers in front, but the back could use just a bit more headroom.

I was very impressed with the high level of craftsmanship inside the CTS tester. French stitching is used throughout the interior, including the upper instrument panel, door trim, seats and shifter boot.

Aside from the luxurious and comfortable perforated leather seats, I especially enjoyed the Bose audio system, available pop-up touch screen navigational system, and the elegant white LED lighting that kept the cabin nicely lit at night.

The base audio system features an eight-speaker Bose system. The tester came with the optional Bose 5.1 surround sound system that delivered concertlike qualities that you'd typically experience from a high-end home system.

Another likable available feature I appreciated was the pop-up navigation system. You can retract the screen when not in use. The nav system features a large, easy-to-use touch screen with voice recognition and informative traffic and weather data.

OnStar telematics comes standard, but to my dismay, the CTS does not offer Bluetooth connectivity. Also, there could be a bit more storage space inside.

Two 3.6-liter V-6 engines are featured in the CTS. The 263-horsepower base V-6 is a carryover from last year, while the high-output 304-horsepower version is all-new and features direct fuel injection to increase performance, yet maintain nearly identical fuel economy as the base engine. I like that both engines only require 87-octane fuel.

To keep up with the competition, CTS can be had with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic. An all-wheel drive option is available, too.

The rear-wheel-drive tester featured the high-output V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission. The tester also came with the Performance Collection ($3,300) upgrade that added larger wheels, sport suspension and a few more goodies.

The CTS delivered very good throttle response with plenty of power for starting off and for passing. Even though my tester was equipped with a sport suspension, the ride was very agreeable. While Cadillac did extensive testing at the famed Nurburgring race course in Germany to dial in the suspension, the CTS isn't quite as nimble as some of its competitors.

Still, the car is exceptionally comfortable and feels well-planted at just about any speed. I also noted that the air conditioning system keeps the cabin nicely cooled on extremely hot days. For those that like open-air motoring, CTS buyers can opt for the Ultra-View double sunroof that provides front and rear passengers with an ultimate view of the sky.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS is a world-class sport sedan with all the ingredients to please the most discerning customers. Hopefully, those that would otherwise look to the imports for a luxurious sport sedan will come to appreciate this re-engineered Cadillac offering.

2008 Cadillac CTS V-6
Engine: 3.6-liter (304 hp) V-6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Drive type: RWD

Fuel economy: 17 city/26 highway

Base price: $35,045

As tested: $43,980 (including $745 for destination)

Web site: www.cadillac.com