2012 Cadillac CTS Premium Collection

 I picked up the 2012 Cadillac CTS after spending a long (read: Disney World long) week in a rental Mazda 6, so the Cadillac's Touring-package Alcantara steering wheel and Recaro buckets were a welcome change from urethane and soiled fabric. That's not a knock on the 6--it was a base rental mobile and did its job well. But the difference in the two sedans was night and day, as it should be for about double the price.

Interesting, then, that the luggage we easily stowed in the Mazda's trunk took up all of the Cadillac's trunk and its rear-seat floor space, and the spot between the kids' car seats. Art and Science don't necessarily translate into cargo space and interior room--the CTS is a relatively cozy fit for a family of four, though the appointments are first-rate.
On the road the CTS performed well but overall was somewhat forgettable. The engine, transmission, handling, road noise--everything about the driving dynamics was competitive, but the Cadillac didn't really stand out in any particular area. It just didn't inspire the same joie de virve that I've experienced behind the wheel of an Audi A4/A6 or even an Acura TL.

Cadillac no doubt has big plans in the works for the CTS. After all, this car basically saved the division, and the fact that I'm running mental comparisons between it and a BMW 3-series speaks volumes. But right now, particularly at $55,000, there are a number of other cars I'd consider first.
 I always like driving the CTS. I forget what an all-around good car this is with the right size, good power and smooth transmission.
Yeah, I'm ready for the sheetmetal to be refreshed, not that I dislike this look but I'm just ready for an update. Overall, it's a really good driving experience. The steering is crisp and quick and the ride, in my opinion, is just the right combo with well-controlled tautness that doesn't beat you up even on Detroit streets.
The interior is well built and comfortable. All is where one would expect it to be, and the materials look and feel good. This particular interior includes the Recaro seats with the Touring package, and I appreciated the extra support those seats offer.
This is a nice car. People I know who have bought these cars are happy customers.
The CTS is always a joy to drive, either in V guise, or here, with the Premium Collection trim. The seats have a rather harsh feel when first climbing aboard, but once you get used to the stiff side bolsters, you get a feeling not unlike that of being in a race car. That feeling is enhanced with the Alcantara-covered steering wheel and the sports-car-like feeling you get behind the wheel.
The V6 is strong and feels more potent that just--and I say just kind of laughingly--318 hp. There's plenty of torque down low, and the wheel-mounted buttons allow you to choose the gear you'd like in the six-speed automatic.
I found the interior, and the overall ride, to be comfortable. I'm not a big fan of the big pop-up-out-of-the-dash infotainment screen but the interior package is so tight, I'm not sure another solution would offer the same amount of options.
In just a couple of years, the CTS has become a car that is on the radar of a lot of my friends. When they ask, I can't say enough good things about them and it would be the same for this car. Sure wouldn't mind having one in my garage.

 For those who can't quite make the leap to the hyperspace that is the CTS-V, this well-equipped Premium Collection edition is a fine option, with a lower price of entry, lower maintenance (in tires alone) and fuel economy. You still get the race-bred feel of nice Recaro buckets and an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, and a plenty of hustle and refined revs from the 3.6-liter V6 with button-shifted access to the six-speed gearbox. It won't hurl you back into the headrest like a V, but I never found myself lacking for power when I needed it. And with even the slightest bit of wet pavement, the CTS with this limited-slip rear diff became a tail-wagging joy machine.
Though smoothing choppy pavement isn't the forte of this sport suspension, it does strike a reasonable balance between ride and handling. The car always feels in control and inspires confidence. It's not an intuitive machine on the level of a BMW 5-series, but it's not far off. There is definite road feel through that velvety steering wheel.
Though the cabin can feel a little tight, some of that relates directly to the level of bolstering in the front buckets. The back seat isn't spacious, but we heard few complaints from our passengers. The trunk isn't huge, but it does help to have a pass-through for handling long items. Careful packing is the key to making use of every bit of cargo room, and even then I could see it being a tight fit for anything large, including coolers and full-size suitcases.
The CTS has come a long way since its introduction as a too-big BMW 3-series fighter and a too-small BMW 5-series, with some uneven interior appointments that weren't up to the competition. All of that odd plastic is gone and everything inside--at least in this tuxedoed model--is top-notch. I could drive this car for years without complaint.

 The 2012 Cadillac CTS Premium Collection would be one of the easiest cars on the market for me to recommend. It swung for the fences and connected, with sharp styling that's different, has an attitude and is gutsy. I'm sure the redesign will be great, not that it needs one.
The cabin is stellar. The dark materials in the special edition look and feel to be of the finest quality, especially the plush steering wheel and leather treatments throughout. I love the seat bolters. For a relatively slender guy who measures about five-foot-nine, they're the perfect combo of comfort and sportiness. The back seat is also reasonable. Two adults--one a male who's taller than six feet and his wife, who had an injured foot with multiple stitches--were adequately comfortable. It's a sports sedan, but it's also practical.
The V6 is smooth, fast and well-tuned. I think this is one of GM's best engines. The chassis is tight, sporty yet not abusive, and this smart sedan is taut when moderately pushed through corners.
I like the CTS. It delivers in the real-world, and I would argue it's closed the gap with the German and Japanese rides in regards to luxury feel and quality. Drive this back-to-back with a BMW or Lexus, and I would think the Caddy would get a lot of votes as the favorite. Anyone who says this car isn't as competitive as other entries is being duped by perceived reputation.

2012 Cadillac CTS Premium Collection

Base Price: $49,165
As-Tested Price: $55,060
Drivetrain: 3.6-liter V6; RWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 318 hp @ 6,800 rpm, 275 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,920 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 21/22.1 mpg

Options: CTS Touring package including sport-finish grille, chrome door handles, midnight sapele-wood trim, leather seat surfaces with suede-fabric inserts, Recaro high-performance seats, suede steering wheel and shifter, metal pedals, sport center-mounted stop lamp ($2,810); 19-inch summer-tire performance package including 19-inch polished aluminum wheels, performance summer tires, tapshift manual-shift control, performance cooling system, performance four-wheel disc brakes, limited-slip differential, performance suspension ($2,090); black-diamond tricoat paint ($995).