The Cadillac CTS smallest luxury sedan returns unchanged following a significant overhaul in 2008. Keep hold of its aggressive angular front end and oversize grille, the 2009 Cadillac CTS blends performance-style power and handling through the quiet comfort and rich materials associated with the Cadillac name. An automatic transmission is standard, but the 2009 Cadillac CTS remains the only Cadillac to also present a traditional manual gearbox, available on the FSI V6. The rear-wheel-drive sedan can be equipped with all-wheel drive, but only in sedans through an automatic transmission. All trims feature full power accessories, leatherette upholstery and trim, and a Bose sound system, but plenty of stand-alone or packaged selection add upscale technology and performance features.
The base engine is GM’s 3.6 liter V6, but our test vehicle had the new direct-injected V6. The manual has a ‘sport’ mode, where you choose the gears; getting in is as simple as knocking the gearshift over to the right, then pushing it forward to move up a gear or pulling it back to drop down a gear. Generally, the automatic ends up in the right gear at the right time; it does have a tendency, at times, to hang around in a lower than needed gear, in case power is suddenly needed. On the highway, hitting the gas results in a mild delay while the transmission downshifts, then a quick zoom forward once the engine digs in at around 5,000 rpm (redline is around 7,000 rpm). Experimenting with the manual override showed us that the engine makes very little power until around 3,500, when it starts to build quickly; if you stay in gear, the Caddy is sluggish at highway speeds, though it’s fine around town.
As in the usual Cadillac CTS, the automatic has paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and we’re impressed that Cadillac is offering both setups. The CTS-V adopts the STS’ Magnetic Ride Control, which reads the road and varies suspension settings to match driving conditions. An optional Performance Traction Management system aims to optimize traction with an eye toward maximizing acceleration — as opposed to conventional traction control, which mostly tries to optimize traction. Styling changes from the freshly minted Cadillac CTS include larger 19-inch wheels, a larger grille and the requisite lower body cladding. The cabin features deeply bolstered Recaro seats with grippier suede-like inserts, as well as dark obsidian trim and a microfiber-lined steering wheel