2014 Cadillac CTS

[Nish]

That. Is a damn fine looking automobile.

Much better than the CTS. Which looks like a Xerox'd Mercedes.

I agree it looks better than the Cadillac and had felt a bit of Mercedes rubbing off the front. If Ford refined the look and decreased the girth (and maybe the ride height) I'd say they have a winner.

 

[Keef]

True, but when I make my comparisons it's all relative to other vehicles. Lexus, Beemer, and MB were all more comfortable.

So what you're telling me is the Lexus, BMW and MB are all too large

HULLO.
​

Eww, are you serious? What a gargantuan beast. I really hope the interior has been upgraded about three levels of luxury because the ones I've tried are god awful. Beyond that, it's either not roomy enough or too roomy in all the wrong ways. For example, the center stack and console are entirely too large and close to me, the driver. Worse than that, I can't even reach the door armrest with my left elbow when I'm in a comfortable driving position. I literally can flail my elbow around without touching the armrest. I have to purposely lean to the left, misaligned with the seat and steering wheel, in a most awkward driving position to reach the door armrest and by the time I get their neither elbow is actually resting on the rests, but rather brushing them in a way that they fall off every time I hit a big bump.

What a piece of trash. I'm damn near 6 feet tall and I'm entirely too small for this car. Perhaps if I weighed 250+ pounds, were 6' 6", and had a penchant toward leaning left I would actually fit. The new Explorer is even worse - by far and away the worst packaged interior I've ever had the displeasure of sitting in. An early-2000s Tahoe actually fits the shape of a human better - much more comfortable to sit in than a brand new Explorer.

Don't ever go trolling nice cars with sumo-esque garbage like this ever again.

When I'm behind one of these in my RX7 I can't even see in the rear window. That's how obtusely American this car is. From now on, Ford, god dammit, let your European arm design your cars. Don't even touch a brush. Just stop.

On another note, the new Dodge Durango has a lovely interior with nice quality materials, pretty good fit and finish, and the cockpit is actually designed to fit humans in a logical, comfortable manner. I can reach both armrests in the new Durango. I couldn't do that in my mom's old Corolla, much less the new Accord. It also has an electronic throttle which isn't a complete waste of engineering effort - it actually goes when I tell it to. The steering is about right for large cruising-type vehicle in that it doesn't require Hulk Hogan-like forearms to navigate a parking lot. IT'S NOT A DAMN SPORTS CAR, FORD, IT NEVER WILL BE. YOU'RE TERRIBLE.

 

[YSSMAN]

As for your earlier comments about the competition factor, these cars don't need to compete overseas in places like Germany because they have Opel which is German and owned by GM with GM platforms.

Yes and no. Cadillac is really looking to continue their strong sales in the Asian markets, China in particular. Being competitive against BMW, Mercedes and Audi is just as important there as it is in North America. In Europe, it's a bit of a different story. Saddled with terrible cars for far too long, Cadillac (as I recall) had pulled a significant portion of their distribution channels out of the European market... They're there, but kinda not. And in no way are they worried about Opel/Vauxhall, whom are generally more traditional Ford/Peugeot/Volkswagen/Etc competitors.

I think the issue is that in America, people don't mind buying a big car with a big engine, whereas here people tend to go for a big car with a small, torquey diesel since fuel is so much more expensive. It shows that GM is keeping Cadillac in North America and perhaps China, and leaving Europe to Vauxhall/Opel who make cheap, basic cars, and the Insignia, which sells mostly to corporate fleets.

Cadillac had been working on a smaller diesel V6 for their lineup before the meltdown in 2009, and afterward, the development was tossed into the bin. My guess would be that, if GM was to sell a diesel variant of the ATS or CTS, they'd use the same 2.0L unit that's in the Chevrolet/Holden Cruze, good for 150-160 BHP (seems to depend on the market) and 250+ LB/FT. It'd be more than adequate, but I'm not sure if it would bring home the bacon when it comes to overall performance.

It'll depend on how well the Cruze Diesel sells in the US, honestly. Word is that they plan on offering more diesel options in the future, and with how much advertising and development dollars is going to mainstream German models with diesel power now, it seems like a no-brainer for the wreath and crest folks to do it, too.

Eww, are you serious? What a gargantuan beast. I really hope the interior has been upgraded about three levels of luxury because the ones I've tried are god awful. Beyond that, it's either not roomy enough or too roomy in all the wrong ways.

It's easily the most confusing large car on sale today. I'm 6ft, of reasonable build, and while I found the front seats reasonably comfortable, the back was far too small for the overall size of the car. That center stack is just ridiculous, I haven't felt that kind of awkward separation from the passenger seat since I was last in an AM General Humvee. It's still a nice interior... It's just, weird.

Comparing it to the Toyota Avalon, or even the new Chevrolet Impala, it's mind-boggling how small the interior of the Ford is compared to it's outward size. And it only further reminds me of how much I like the new Impala...

...But that being said, I still like the Taurus. Especially the SHO. Because I'm weird.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

The front was okay, but I thought that the back was just awful. the seat was reasonably comfortable, but my knees were always touching the seat in front of me, and I'm only 5' 8". That's in the wagon, I haven't sat in the saloon.

I'm surprised you've said that about the wagon, because I found the wagon to have as much room as some American quad cab trucks and crossovers. The sedan had less room. The only one coupe I have never sat in so that I can't talk on.

Thing is, Cadillac is a premium brand and Opel/Vauxhall is not at all. They're quite cheap and don't at all compete in the premium sector, which is much larger here given that you can get a BMW 3 series that'll do 68 MPG imperial. If they had a proper lineup of engines, then they might be able to sell a lot of CTSs here, as the Cadillac name still has a lot of respect here. However, in the UK, 80 percent of cars sold in the CTS/5 series/E class/A6/XF/etc. class have diesel I-4s, and 50 percent are estates, so that leaves 10 percent of the market for the CTS right now.

I wouldn't say they aren't premium, they are to me in the same level of Buick which is also suppose to be pretty luxurious when compared to Cadillac, just cheaper. Also I'm talking about more of Germany with Opel, I never thought Vauxhall was high up in the UK with the brands they try to compete with. As for the engine picks, you would need to look at the revenue made in other regions and then you'll see where the blame can be placed. Asia, the U.S. and even West Asia sell a good number of cars and that is 2/3rds of the world really when you think about it.

I think the issue is that in America, people don't mind buying a big car with a big engine, whereas here people tend to go for a big car with a small, torquey diesel since fuel is so much more expensive. It shows that GM is keeping Cadillac in North America and perhaps China, and leaving Europe to Vauxhall/Opel who make cheap, basic cars, and the Insignia, which sells mostly to corporate fleets.

Well you also have to remember that Diesel here isn't cheap, now if people did the math with the MPG benefits of a good Diesel car vs a Good Gas/Petrol car the extra money spent would be probably around the same. However, people don't sit around like me I guess (most) and try to approximate how much of a cost benefit something is. More importantly if it doesn't have the luxury and power they probably wont buy it either. We know that these companies do or are capable of turbo diesel engines that are good, but this market as you said wont sell too many.

Yes and no. Cadillac is really looking to continue their strong sales in the Asian markets, China in particular. Being competitive against BMW, Mercedes and Audi is just as important there as it is in North America. In Europe, it's a bit of a different story. Saddled with terrible cars for far too long, Cadillac (as I recall) had pulled a significant portion of their distribution channels out of the European market... They're there, but kinda not. And in no way are they worried about Opel/Vauxhall, whom are generally more traditional Ford/Peugeot/Volkswagen/Etc competitors.

This I agree with and said in my post with regards to the Asia market. I'm not saying they are worried about Opel/Vaux as you put it Cadi doesn't need to do a job there that the overseas GM versions can do for them. Too much money to be made where they currently are and too much of a risk to make in the other areas that they are hardly in.

 

[Tornado]

A diesel Cadillac? What could possibly go wrong?

Comparing it to the Toyota Avalon, or even the new Chevrolet Impala, it's mind-boggling how small the interior of the Ford is compared to it's outward size. And it only further reminds me of how much I like the new Impala...

The current Avalon isn't a marvel of packaging either. My grandfather had one as a rental as his Lincoln was in the shop a couple months ago, and that thing doesn't seem to have any more space in it than his car does.

 

[Omnis]

Time for another random Caddy thought: I feel like the XTS sucks but would be awesome if it were stretched another 2 feet in the back. I don't know why anyone would buy one instead of an Equus. But if you're gonna throw 80 grand down on a car might as well get an S class.

 

[Turtle]

Time for another random Caddy thought: I feel like the XTS sucks but would be awesome if it were stretched another 2 feet in the back. I don't know why anyone would buy one instead of an Equus. But if you're gonna throw 80 grand down on a car might as well get an S class.

Even if it had more leg room in back I still think the XTS wouldn't be as good as an Equus, I just feel like it isn't as competitive in its class as the CTS or ATS are in theirs. Assuming we're talking about spending 80 grand on a luxury car, I'd probably go with an S-Class as well even with it's silly perfume dispenser, although that may be an optional thing (Actually according to the MB website the S-Class starts at 92,900).

 

[YSSMAN]

I would be under the assumption that Cadillac would offer an long-wheelbase version in China, but it sounds as though it's a thing that hasn't happened - yet. They did do it with the STS a few years back, but, I have no idea how successful they were with it. It's rare it would have an excessive amount of growth, however. Maybe six or seven inches at best.

My guess is that Cadillac is waiting on whatever their halo car is supposed to be. The long-promised big sedan to go head-to-head with the S-Class and 7-series. At this point, pigs may fly first.

 

[Keef]

Time for another random Caddy thought: I feel like the XTS sucks but would be awesome if it were stretched another 2 feet in the back. I don't know why anyone would buy one instead of an Equus. But if you're gonna throw 80 grand down on a car might as well get an S class.

Like @GTTurtle said, the S starts at 93. The XTS starts at 45 and maxes just over 70.

I've driven one and it was alright. Not the nicest car I've been in but the materials and whatnot were good from what I remember. The touch-screen controls the Americans are infatuated with lately are terrible. There's a time and a place and when you're rocking down a bumpy highway at 80 you need some texture. You need a ****ing knob is what you need. Or button. Knobs and buttons.

I don't remember if the interior actually fit me or not. If I don't remember that probably means I wasn't impressed with the driving position, etc. The only things that have really impressed me with how well they fit my body are the new Durango (of all things), the Fiesta (surprising because the Mazda 2 is too big), and the Volvo S40. The S40 is actually a wonderful thing to drive, I love that driving position and the feel of it. Very sporty. I'd love to drive one daily.

 

[Omnis]

That's my point. If you're going to drop 70, why not get perfection at 90?

 

[Keef]

Why would you bother getting either when you're just going to trash the interior, leaving garbage in the door panels, spilled soda in the cupholders, cigarette ashes and even dog hair and stench everywhere? That's besides all the wheel curbing and bumper scuffing on the outside. More often than not, wealthy customers' cars we get at the airport are not in the best of shape, including the Alpina B7. @Omnis

 

[Omnis]

If you can afford a plane, who cares?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

That's my point. If you're going to drop 70, why not get perfection at 90?

Are you saying at 70 perfection doesn't exist but 90-110 exist and they only do it because of a name or perception not really anything found in that extra that supposedly provides more.

 

[Omnis]

Have you been in the new S class? It's luxobarge proper. We can move this to an S class thread if we have one.

 

[Omnis]

As an example of what I'm talking about:



Look at this guy in the driver's seat during the test drive. He looks like he's in a clown car! Granted, he's fatter than I am, he's also most likely shorter. Still looks like he's squeezed into a small car from the inside, while the car looks huge from the outside.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

As an example of what I'm talking about:



Look at this guy in the driver's seat during the test drive. He looks like he's in a clown car! Granted, he's fatter than I am, he's also most likely shorter. Still looks like he's squeezed into a small car from the inside, while the car looks huge from the outside.

Um the dude is highly fat, and it doesn't look like the seat is all the way back, plus even with his girth he still as room between him and the steering wheel. It looks like it has ample room, but I'll wait till it comes out go to the local cadi dealer in my best clothes and sit in one, then report back

 

[Omnis]

Look at the lateral room, and refer back to what I was talking about in my in-person observations. He looks like he's sitting in a freaking kayak.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Look at the lateral room, and refer back to what I was talking about in my in-person observations. He looks like he's sitting in a freaking kayak.

Kind of hard to tell from a side view, and a doughnut for a waist will usually put one roll in the console and the other up against the door liner itself. Like I said I'll go to a local dealer and sit in one and report back.

 

[Omnis]

Dykes's review is up:

 

[Keef]

This new CTS looks rather large compared to the E-class. The E is...small. I'm always surprised when I see the AMGs at work how tiny they really are.

I guess they're not that much different. The E, at least the pre-2014 E, does a fantastic job of looking small. The rest of the crew look much larger, especially the Cadillac.

 

[Keef]

I'll just leave this here...

Makes you think, doesn't it? It's definitely different than the Euro coupes which have a traditional sedan-like greenhouse, in the way that the current CTS Coupe is vastly different, but this is more elegant and a little less ridiculous while being slightly retro and less boring than a regular ol' sedan-based coupe.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'd certainly hope that Cadillac is at least thinking about it. Although, the stories that they were running on Jalop today seemed to suggest that GM plans to add more body variants to the ATS than the CTS.

I'd rather have an ETC than a 635i or a E-Class Coupe. It just feels right.

 

[Keef]

So I've enjoyed stumbling across Caddy renders lately. Here's a couple I found.

 

[Cale]

that stance

 

[YSSMAN]

That's a pretty serious looking Cadillac.

So, what's the over/under that the new CTS-V looks not-so-great with that Elmiraj grille?

 

[Omnis]

If it looks more train-gratey, then that's good. I do not, however, like the idea of different sized rims and tires. The rears look two inches larger at least. It probably needs the greater contact patch though. Fingers crossed.

 

[GTboyz]

Cant wait to hear how will this compete with the european sports sedans.

 

[Keef]

that stance

Ooooo weee, look at the flushness of that rear wheel! Stancey or we out.