The CTS has been available since 2003, and the current 3.6-liter V6 was introduced the next year. The CTS equipped with a newly-available base 2.8-liter V6 landed in 25th place in this comparison, suggesting both just how good this 3.6-liter and just how bad the 2.8-liter are. For despite the 2.8-equipped version's price advantage, it fell far behind. The 3.6-liter is essentially everything that engine isn't; strong and refined where the 2.8 is weak and noisy, and still delivering the same gas mileage. Unfortunately, as this car's 17th-place finish shows, not all of the car's faults were amended in the other engine. For while the 2.8-liter CTS was merely a mediocre vehicle on an excellent platform (that provided an exceptional ride/handling compromise), this car is a mediocre vehicle powered by an excellent powertrain on an excellent platform. While markedly better than the other version of the CTS in all ways but price, there are still better choices. 

      The CTS has a very firm ride that still manages to capably absorb road imperfections large and small, and controls unwanted body motions extremely well, making it quite comfortable overall. And this firmness also gives the car very impressive handling capabilities. Body roll is quite well-suppressed, and the car feels very agile despite its surprising exterior size. The steering is quick to respond, and provides excellent feedback. As noted, the 3.6-liter V6 is smooth and strong, returning impressive acceleration with an excellent engine note. That engine is also very refined either when it is accelerating or when it is not, and road and wind noises are very well suppressed. The CTS 3.6 returns poor fuel economy by the standards of this group, though it is still no worse than the smaller and weaker 2.8-liter.

       Inside, the roomy front seats are firm, roomy, very well-shaped, and very comfortable overall, though the non-adjustable safety belts can be annoying for both the very short and the very tall. The rear seat is too low, not especially well-shaped, and not especially roomy, a disappointment considering the CTS's exterior dimensions. Interior quality is also mediocre by the standards of this class; while solid overall, the materials used lack a suitable luxury feel that the car's price tag deserves, and wood and aluminum trim is largely absent, leaving a drab and featureless dash. The gauges are notably large and very clear. The instrument panel is angled towards the driver, and features main instruments that are well-placed and easy to use, but some secondary controls are a bit confusing. Drivers sit comfortably, though have a poor rearward view thanks to small windows and thick roof pillars. Entry/exit is easy enough, thanks to the very large doors, though the rear's sloping roofline doesn't help. The trunk is rather small for such a large vehicle, and isn't especially well-shaped.

         The CTS was rated Best Pick in the IIHS offset crash test, but has not been subjected to the IIHS's demanding side crash test. NHTSA has not tested the CTS's frontal crash protection, but awarded the vehicle four stars for the driver and five for the rear passenger in its side crash test.

        The CTS 3.6 reviewed here is actually slightly less expensive than the 2.8 version in this comparison, but the price difference comes from greatly diminished feature content. For the car here lacks the 2.8's $3,000 Luxury Package, which includes such items as heated seats and power seats with memory. The CTS here also lacked the available stability control and navigation system, though it included such standard equipment as torso and head-protecting side airbags and an OnStar assistance system. 

        Overall, this CTS rides on an exceptional platform that provides a very impressive ride/handling compromise, and has a smooth and powerful V6. But a $33,000 car needs more than simply those two strong points, and the CTS not only lacks further strong points, but has many weak points. The CTS 3.6 is far better than the less-expensive 2.8 version, and is well worth the extra cost, but the CTS still needs improvements in other areas to give its platform and powertrain the good overall package that they deserve to be a part of.

Pros:

-Refinement

-Acceleration

-Agility

-Ride Comfort

Cons:

-Features for the Money

-Rear Seat Comfort

-Interior Quality

-Fuel Economy

Overall:

An expensive and mediocre vehicle with an excellent powertrain riding on an excellent platform.

Version Reviewed:

3.6

Price of Version Reviewed:

$33,083

Powertrain:

3.6-liter V6