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2009 Cadillac CTS

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Cadillac CTS

Overview

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2009 Cadillac CTS Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

When GM set out in the late 1990s to resurrect its once-proud Cadillac brand, the public process began with Evoq, the 1999 stealth-fighter concept sports car that eventually evolved into the production 2004 XLR. But the 2003 all-new "entry luxury" CTS sedan brought this new Cadillac look and personality to market first. Its "Art and Science" theme was a bold blend of space-age style and technology, and its edgy styling was polarizing – some liked it, some didn't. But it delivered the right stuff in performance, features and road dynamics, while only its austere interior caught critical flack. For 2009, Cadillac has perfected the formula, bringing a CTS to market that has won rave reviews from critics and customers alike.

You'll Like This Car If...

Cadillac was once the "Standard of the World," which was more than an advertising slogan. The competition is much deeper, wider and stronger today, but if you would like an unassailable reason to own, enjoy and be proud of a Cadillac again, this is it.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If nothing short of an import luxury brand will do, there are many fine alternatives from the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus and Infiniti.

What's New for 2009

Fresh from a complete makeover in 2008, the 2009 CTS has no major changes.

Driving the CTS

Driving Impressions Our extensive CTS driving experience began on a California race track and extended through many twisty two-lanes, fast freeways, urban congestion and mixed-speed suburban sprawl, most of it in a...

performance-package model with the strong-performing 304-horsepower direct-injected V6. We expected the trade-off for its responsive steering, world-class road-holding and powerful braking to be an uncomfortably stiff rough-surface ride but found its suspension surprisingly supple even on the most troubled surfaces. We loved the posh, quiet cabin's cheerfully luxurious design, the multi-adjustable seats were uncommonly comfortable over the long haul and every control was easy to see, find and operate. This fine new midsize Cadillac can compete on equal terms with anything in its class.

Favorite Features

Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround Sound
Surrealistic sound with 40-gig hard drive and iPod integration. It will download and store your CD collection and operate your iPod from the pop-up touch screen.

Advanced Navigation System
Offers real-time traffic and weather, expanded voice prompts and 3-D imaging of major landmarks. While its large center dash-top touch screen pops up fully on demand, the top portion peeks out to display key information even when stored.

2009 Cadillac CTS Details

Interior

The 2009 CTS imparts a dramatically different interior design theme for Cadillac, with emphasis on tasteful ornamentation and hand-crafted details. The instruments, vents and other elements are framed in chrome, the center stack blends seamlessly into the lower instrument panel and console and hand-cut, hand-sewn and hand-wrapped coverings with French stitching are used throughout. The heated and ventilated front seats use "thin-seat" technology for improved rear leg, knee and foot room. Available soft, white LED backlighting in the door-pulls, footwells and between the upper and lower instrument panels creates an effect similar to recessed lighting in contemporary homes.

Exterior

The new look of the 2009 Cadillac CTS is characterized by a bold two-segment grille, chrome side air extractors and sculpted fenders emphasizing its wider tracks and more athletic chassis. Flanking the lower grille, below the vertical headlamps, are chromed wrap-around slots for additional air intakes and fog lamps. The fast-sloping roofline is nearly coupe-like in profile, the large vertical taillamps refine Cadillac's recent practice, the trunk-top center brake light doubles as an aerodynamic spoiler and an available double sunroof offers an open-sky view for both front and rear passengers.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base CTS is powered by a 263-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 driving through a six-speed manual transmission and rolls on all-season tires on 17-inch aluminum wheels. Inside its cabin are dual-zone climate controls, an eight-way power driver's seat, a Driver Information Center, a rear-seat/trunk pass-through and an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD Bose audio system with XM Satellite Radio and MP3 capability. Standard safety and security equipment includes advanced front, side and side-curtain airbags, Stabilitrak stability and traction control, daytime running lamps, Twilight Sentinel auto lamps, programmable power door locks, a theft-deterrent system and one year of OnStar security and convenience service with turn-by-turn navigation.

Optional Equipment

The available "Luxury Collection" package includes upgraded seats, sound system and additional luxury features. The "Performance Collection" adds 18-inch wheels and tires, FE2 Sport Suspension and High-Intensity Discharge headlamps with adaptive forward lighting, while the "Premium Collection" offers wood trim, a 10-speaker Bose 5.1 premium audio with a 40-gig hard drive and radio rewind and pause, iPod integration, GPS navigation and EasyKey keyless entry and ignition. Major stand-alone options include the 304-horsepower direct-injection V6, six-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, Ultraview roof, Bose premium audio (with or without navigation), the FE2 Sport Suspension and FE3 Performance Suspension on high-performance "summer" tires.

Under the Hood

The 2009 CTS offers two levels of 24-valve, double-overhead-cam, variable-valve-timing 3.6-liter V6 power, and the up-level version boasts power- and efficiency-enhancing direct fuel injection. Standard transmission is a six-speed manual, while a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are optional.

3.6-liter V6
263 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
253 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 (automatic), 16/25 (manual)

3.6-liter V6 (direct fuel injection)
304 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
273 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 (automatic), 16/25 (manual)

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2009 Cadillac CTS Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 196 Ratings for the 2008 - 2012 Cadillac CTS models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

8.8/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.3/10

I would not lease this car again

By rc (CA) on Thursday, April 26, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 34,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"It's very nice looking car, but the transmission has been terribly unreliable and the interior is smaller, more poorly made than some people what to acknowledge."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Head turner

By RonH (IL) on Thursday, April 26, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "styling turns heads"

Cons: "depreciates far too quickly in first year"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned sedans since the first year, each and every year and now own my first coupe. Never had problem with any of them. Dealer is great, coupe turns heads and over all the nicest vehicle I have owned in over 40 years of driving."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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see all 196 reviews