Much like a ruffian attending a ritzy summer camp, the original Cadillac CTS found itself in an awkward situation. Sure, this Caddy won respect, thanks to its decent athletic ability, but it lacked refinement -- a droopy-jeaned, scruffy-bearded interloper among the Polo-outfitted, impeccably groomed class. Being larger than the typical entry-level luxury sport sedan, that first CTS offered more cabin space than its rivals and wrapped it all up in edgy styling. The latter, however, was considered too busy by some critics due to its excessive number of character lines and oversized lights. But it was the cabin that hurt this "upscale" model the most, as its style and materials quality were far behind those found in Audi's A4 or BMW's 3 Series.
Last year's rebirth saw a determined effort to bring the CTS into the Polo-wearing crowd of guys named Chip. Not only is this one Caddy that actually zigs -- to pinch an old tag line -- by adding more power and improved driving dynamics, it also dons a new set of clothes via neatly tailored sheet metal and a much-improved cabin. The latter was not merely a leap over its predecessor but a complete moon shot, with a handsome design, state-of-the-art technology and top-notch materials fitted throughout. In the span of one generation, Cadillac has gone from a segment also-ran in this regard to arguably class-leading. Wisely, the company left the 2009 Cadillac CTS well enough alone, adding only Bluetooth connectivity to the car's impressive list of features.
In this case, "well enough" means a tuned suspension that graduated with honors from the Nürburging school of handling etiquette. It also means a pair of willing V6s -- the base 258-horsepower engine as well as the optional high-output version that features direct-fuel-injection technology and makes an impressive 304 hp. Furthering its appeal, the CTS can also be had with all-wheel drive.
Now, with a legitimate player in the sport sedan game, Cadillac's boastful old tagline "The Standard of the World" might actually be believable by those who don't have firsthand knowledge of the Eisenhower years. Certainly, the 2009 Cadillac CTS, with its dashing style, fine road manners and classy cabin, can more than hold its own against rivals from Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. If you're shopping for an entry-level luxury sport sedan, the CTS is worthy of serious consideration.
