2009 Cadillac CTS (Courtesy of General Motors Cadillac Division)
If I could only drive one car for the year, I would want it to be the 2009 Cadillac CTS. Wow, what a great car!
Maybe it’s my imagination, but it really seems to me that each time I open the door and slide into the driver’s seat of the CTS Sports Sedan, reveling in its luxury touches, it starts to whisper soft, welcoming phrases like “Why don’t we go for another drive, it’s lovely out today.”
The CTS interior features a leather wrapped steering wheel and cohesive design elements that include Sapele wood trim, expertly hand-crafted materials, and well-lit accessory knobs. The CTS boasts convenience features like dual zone climate control, front bucket seats, 8-way power seat adjustment for the driver, power heated outside mirrors, and a terrific driver information center.
The driver’s control center is exceptionally well lit, which makes night driving a breeze.
The AM/FM Stereo, CD player, Bose 8-speaker system, and XM satellite radio also allow the driver and passengers in the CTS to hear all their musical favorites played perfectly. And with OnStar’s turn-by-turn navigation system installed, there’s no danger of getting lost on the way to an important meeting, or a day at the spa, which surely someone who drives such a wonderful car deserves.
Cadillac CTS interior (Courtesy of General Motors Cadillac Division)
Other features include antilock brake system, 4-wheel disc, 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, all season tires, Stabilitrak-stability control, all-speed traction control, tire pressure monitor, and a tire sealant and inflator kit.
Safety features include front and side impact airbags, head curtain side airbags, safety belt pretensioners, active head restraints, daytime running lamps, twilight sentinel auto lamps, and programmable power door locks.
The CTS also features a large trunk, big enough for luggage or sports gear, and Cadillac’s terrific 5-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty.
While driving and acting like the sporty luxury sedan that it is, it’s very surprising to find the CTS uses regular unleaded gasoline and averages 18 miles per gallon in town and 26 on the highway, making it far more affordable to drive than many competitors. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the CTS sedan I drove was a very competitive $35,905. However, the performance luxury package that included upgraded BOSE system, rain-sense windshield wipers, interior ambient lighting, cooled seats for the driver and front passenger, keyless access, and rear park assist added another $2,765 to the total. A Performance Collection package replaced the 17-inch wheels with 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, and added fog lamps and leather trim, convenience net for the cargo area, high intensity headlamps, and other extras for another $3,705, making the total price with destination and automatic transmission charges $44,450.
Jo Ann Holt is a journalist and car columnist based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).
