2014 Cadillac CTS Expert Review
Reviewed by Christian Seabaugh
Vehicle Overview
The new Standard of the World -- or at least that's what Cadillac hopes its new 2014 CTS will become. The redesigned 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan debuted in early 2013 at the New York International Auto Show to much praise. Why? Because it's longer, lower, and leaner, with competitive new powertrains that are designed to help the CTS go head-to-head with the world's best. Among the highlights for 2014 are the new powertrains. The base CTS has a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 that makes 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Optional is a 3.6-liter 321-hp and 275-lb-ft V-6 that carries over from the previous generation. The headline engine (until the next CTS-V arrives) is the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 420 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful V-6 GM has ever built. The twin-turbo V-6 comes under the hood of the CTS Vsport, the new sport trim of the CTS. The new CTS has a base six-speed automatic, with a new optional eight-speed automatic. Rear-drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is an option.
The CTS Coupe, Wagon, and CTS-V carryover unchanged from last year, good considering you still have a chance to get your hands on the very good (and very rare) CTS-V Wagon. This Nurburgring-slaying wagon is powered by a Corvette-sourced 5.6-liter supercharged V-8 that makes 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque, paired to a six-speed manual(!) or a six-speed automatic.
The new Cadillac CTS sports a completely redesigned interior, CUE infotainment, and a host of active safety features. It should go on sale by the end of 2013.
New for 2014
The 2014 Cadillac CTS is all-new this year. A list of all the changes Cadillac made to the CTS would go on for pages, so here are the headlines: the CTS sports the latest evolution of Cadillac's "Art and Science" design language on a bigger platform, making it a true rival to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Under the hood the 2014 CTS has a new base 2.0-liter turbo-4 borrowed from the ATS, a carryover 3.6-liter V-6, and 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 in the new Vsport trim. An eight-speed transmission, as well as an interior featuring Cadillac's CUE infotainment system is also all new.
The CTS is new from the ground up this year. The CTS is longer, lower, and leaner than before, making it a direct competitor to the 5 Series and E-Class. The 3.6L V-6 carries over as an optional engine but the base 2.0L turbo-4, and the CTS Vsport's 420-hp 3.6L twin-turbo V-6 is new. The Vsport comes with an 8A, and magnetic ride, among other performance items. The Coupe, wagon, and V models are unchanged for 2014.
Key Competitors
