2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Test Drive

Cadillac's "Art and Science" design motif got its start in late 1997, the automaker's attempt to recapture their leadership role of the past as style and technology innovators. First off the drawing board was a stunning stealth-fighter-look concept roadster called Evoq. GM marketing (formerly product) Vice Chairman Bob Lutz was initially unimpressed but later changed his mind. "For Cadillac to get off the traditional and into this bold, hard-edged design," he said after joining GM in 2001, "is one of the boldest strokes in modern design history. It makes a statement that is aesthetically very different from Mercedes, BMW and the rest."

The base engine, as in the CTS sedan, is a new 3.0-liter 24-valve DOHC direct-injected, variable-valve-timing V-6 good for a fairly strong 270 hp, while the available 3.6-liter version of the same high-tech V-6 offers 304 eager horses. Both are happily married to an electronically controlled six-speed automatic gearbox powering the rear wheels, or all four with available all-wheel drive.

Standard on that base model are 17-inch alloy wheels, Stabilitrak electronic stability control, four-wheel power disc brakes with ABS and traction control, AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 8-speaker audio, dual-stage front and both front and rear side curtain airbags and GM's OnStar convenience and security system with a one-year Directions and Connections subscription.

Among the major options are adaptive headlamps (that follow the steering), keyless access with remote start, a rear-view camera, LED ambient interior lighting, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, a summer-tire performance package, heated and ventilated seats, premium wood interior trim, an "Ultra-View" sunroof, advanced navigation with real-time traffic and weather, 10-speaker Bose audio, a 40-gig hard drive and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

The Cadillac has the most front legroom of the above five competitors, nearly the same rear legroom as the BMW and more than the Audi or either Volvo. On the other hand, its somewhat low roof gives it a bit less front headroom and one to two inches less in back vs. its taller rivals. Its 58 inches of cargo room (rear seats folded flat) is competitive, and its 18 EPA mpg city/27 highway fuel efficiency with its standard 3.0-liter V-6 is much better than the BMW's and Volvo V70's, but not as good as the four-cylinder Audi's and the five-cylinder V50's.

Around town, on a 500-mile road trip, and on a tight, twisty racecourse, the CTS wagon proved as capable and satisfying as its well-received sedan counterpart. Its performance is good, its handling athletic, its steering crisp, its braking strong and stable, and its ride smile-inducing comfortable all day. If you like the CTS sedan, you'll likely love this handsome, highly capable wagon. Shop them all, but give this beauty a good, long look.