As Cadillac celebrates its centennial this year, the automaker whose name was once synonymous with luxury is taking a third crack at an "entry level" car to lure younger buyers.
Its first attempt was the shameful Cimarron in the '80s — a barely disguised Chevrolet Cavalier. Then in 1997, the underwhelming Catera tried to breathe life into the brand that's particularly popular with morticians.
The third time, though, may be a charm. The new CTS is about as far from a funeral car as you can get. Just as the Cadillacs of a half-century ago tried to emulate spaceships, the CTS favors the sharp-edged technology and angular surfaces of a Stealth bomber.
Starting at $29,990, the CTS is Cadillac's first rear-wheel-drive model in 50 years with a manual transmission. Its new 3.2-liter V6 engine delivers 220 horsepower. The five-speed stick is a bid for sports-car status and a direct challenge to the Lincoln LS and BMW stick-shift offerings.
In Kiplinger's test car, the German-made Getrag gearbox was smooth — although not quite as silky as the stick in the BMW 530i with which we compared it.
The longer CTS stick increased the effort it took to shift gears but still permitted good performance during acceleration. The CTS also offers an optional five-speed automatic transmission — a $1,200 gem made by BMW.
The CTS packs lots of amenities as standard equipment: leather seats; front, side and head-curtain air bags; eight-way adjustable seats; dual-zone climate control; and an AM/FM stereo (satellite reception isn't available yet) that includes a CD player. Anti-lock brakes, traction control and Cadillac's OnStar system round out the basic package.
Putting the new Cadillac through its paces on a winding road is a delight. The sports suspension sucks up bumps, and you can count on the Caddy's StabiliTrak stability-control system to keep you on course as you aggressively attack curves.
But before you rush out and buy one, consider that Cadillac is planning to add a bigger engine in 2004 and refine the interior. Also, you need to consider the competition.
Among competitively priced rear-wheel-drive automobiles, such as the BMW 325i ($27,745) and Lexus IS 300 ($31,350), the CTS is bigger and faster — it does zero to 60 in just under seven seconds, according to Cadillac.
It's also roomier than comparable front-wheel-drive entry-level luxury cars, such as the Acura 3.2TL ($29,480), Infiniti I35 ($29,295) and Lexus ES 300 ($33,640).