Full Test: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

[Intrepidation]

Vehicle Tested:

2009 Cadillac CTS-V 4dr Sedan

What Works:

Stunning power with surprising refinement; looks fantastic; terrific optional Recaro seats.

What Needs Work:

Standard seats are too short and too mushy.

Bottom Line:

Let's see. It looks great and it's the fastest production sedan we've ever tested. The bottom line appears to be pretty damn good.

Link to Full Article

So, what are we going to complain about? Wearing the wreath and crest makes us feel old? A perceived lack of pedigree? The interior quality?

Nope. With the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac has built what is easily the best American sedan for driving enthusiasts. And it's among the best in any regard for anything. All those years we had to endure Cadillac using the term "world-class" in its publicity without earning the credentials, and now Cadillac has finally done it.

When we saw GM's Bob Lutz at our office shortly after the Detroit show, he boasted about the CTS-V, "It'll put the M5 on the trailer." And while that's a bit of an overstatement, he isn't too far from the mark. The CTS-V does beat the target M5 both at the test track, and in terms of pure driving pleasure, on the street.

It's that good.

Edited August 30, 2008 by Dodgefan

[Oracle of Delphi]

I like the regular grille better, other than that, no complaints.

[Lamar]

I guess we'll have to wait for a magazine review to see how it responds as a daily driver.

[Robert Hall]

I like the regular grille better, other than that, no complaints.

I'd like to see a CTS-v with a standard CTS front fascia...for some reason, the V-series grille and the fascia with all the openings and bulges, etc doesn't appeal to me. A minor detail, though..it sounds like it's a hell of a car..would love to drive one on my favorite roads...

[Croc]

I'd like to see a CTS-v with a standard CTS front fascia...for some reason, the V-series grille and the fascia with all the openings and bulges, etc doesn't appeal to me. A minor detail, though..it sounds like it's a hell of a car..would love to drive one on my favorite roads...

Agreed. It makes it look like an STS.

[Lamar]

Agreed. It makes it look like an STS.

They resemble, yeah, but I personally wouldn't confuse the two. The rest of the body, esp. the hood, is the key.

[deftonesfan867]

Damnit Edmunds! Wheres the video??!

[gmcbob]

I love the CTS. I even saw a couple of them in import friendly San Francisco this weekend.

[gmcbob]

I love the CTS. I even saw a couple of them in import friendly San Francisco this weekend.

This new V Series is just insane.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Best car eva!!!!

[Robert Hall]

I love the CTS. I even saw a couple of them in import friendly San Francisco this weekend.

This new V Series is just insane.

I drove by the local Cadillac store the morning, sat at the light beside it...had to resist the urge to go in and do some test drives..they had 5 CTSes in different colors on the front street-facing row, with a white XLR and a couple STSes, and a bright red G8 GT on the rotating dias.... drooll..

[MyerShift]

I absolutely love the front of the CTS-V. It's more subtle and less ostentatious than the regular strength CTS.

I must say that this is possibly GM's most desirable car extant (Corvette aside of course!)

[G. David Felt]

Morning All, This review is awesome, about time we got people to realize just how good American Auto's really are!

Enjoy the review.

[ellives]

I'm noticing more and more of the current generation CTS on the road these days. I'd like to see a CTS-V so I can ask the driver what their impression is.