The CTS was born out of Cadillac’s Art and Science design language, a move aimed at making this mid-sized luxury car stand out from its Teutonic competition. It did, and simply because of its sharp, angular, lines.
When launched as a 2003 model, the CTS replaced the Catera — this car was a lesson on how to take a successful European car (the Opel Omega MV6) and turn it into a moribund offering that did little to further Cadillac’s reputation (only the Chevrolet Cavalier-based Cadillac Cimarron did more to tarnish the brand). The good news is that the CTS turned out to be, and still is, a ride that has done more than a little to return the shine to the company’s image.
When it debuted, the base CTS was offered with Deluxe and Sport packages. Along with its bold exterior style, the CTS also ushered in a new level of interior refinement. The cluttered look of old made way for a cohesive cockpit that was as easy on the eyes as it was to find and operate the key controls. It also delivered the needed interior space without making the car feel large when driven with enthusiasm. The back seat provided enough space for two adults and the 12.8-cubic-foot trunk accommodated a family of four’s luggage with ease.
The entry-level car included air conditioning, the needed power accessories including an eight-way power driver’s seat, cruise control and a decent traction control system. The Deluxe package added an eight-way power passenger seat, a garage door opener, a digital voice recorder, a driver’s seat memory package, some tasteful real wood accents and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass.
The Sport package, which included the Deluxe upgrades, brought a sports-tuned suspension with automatic rear load levelling, high-performance brake linings, P225/50R17 tires and speed-sensitive steering. It also added something that should have been standard across the board — StabiliTrak, General Motors’ sophisticated stability control system.
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