Posts tagged Cadillac

Thanks to all of the big news about Cadillac’s high-performance V-series cars, the upcoming all-new CTS and its expansion in the European market, the updated STS sedan kind of snuck up on me. But just like that, one showed up in my driveway, a familiar design with a bigger grille and a more expressive face, and the acres of leather and class that Cadillac is known for. This American challenger to the luxury sedans from Europe is still in the game, and it’s steppin’ out with a new set of clothes.

The changes to the STS are more than skin deep, however. In addition to the new styling, there’s more technology, to keep the STS at the cutting edge of the gadget revolution that’s all-important in luxury cars. Most importantly, there’s a new direct-injection V6 engine that provides V8-like performance with better fuel economy. Okay, perhaps this new Cadillac deserves a look after all.

There’s something fundamentally American about the STS’ design, and for once that can be said in a good way. Apart from the bolder grille, a number of styling changes set the new STS apart from its predecessor. The details of this angular, three-box sedan have been exaggerated slightly, so the headlights, taillights and body contours seem somehow larger. Fog lights and turn signals are stacked neatly under the vertical headlamps, and the fender vent that’s fast becoming a Cadillac trademark has been applied at the base of the A-pillar. These details make the STS look more up-to-date without mimicking the competition from Europe and Japan.

Hit the interior and there’s no doubt that this is a luxury car in the big’n'cushy American style. My tester’s black leather and exotic Sapele Pommele wood trim had passengers saying, “So this is a Cadillac,” with a degree of respect. The STS even smells expensive, possibly because the interior trimmings have been upgraded for ’08. The Bose sound system offers 5.1 studio surround sound and includes speakers mounted directly in the front seats. To keep up with the folks from across the ocean, the STS gets a host of new equipment, including the available lane departure warning system, blind-spot detector, DVD navigatioin, keyless entry with a pushbutton start, parking assist, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control with a head-up display. Not enough for you? The STS comes standard with XM satellite radio and GM’s OnStar concierge service, including a free year of OnStar’s Directions and Connections service. Turn-by-turn navigation through OnStar is also available. The large trunk will hold 13.8 cubic feet of luggage, and there’s a cool underfloor storage bin in lieu of a spare tire.

The only thing that might be un-American about the STS is that you don’t have to have it with a big honkin’ V8 engine. Cadillac’s all-new 3.6 liter direct-injection V6 is the standard engine in the STS, and many drivers won’t ever notice those missing two cylinders. With 298 horsepower on tap, the V6 offers a significant increase in power over last year’s model, while reducing emissions thanks to the cleaner-burning direct-injection setup. You don’t really need a V8 in this car. Of course, if you have to have one, Cadillac still offers the excellent 4.6 liter Northstar V8 as well. A six-speed automatic transmission serves both powerplants. On top of that, just to give Audi fits, the STS is available with all-wheel drive in both V6 and V8-powered versions. The 469-horsepower STS-V that debuted last year is available in rear-wheel drive only.

Handling and performance and comfort are equal with the rest of the class. In V6 form, the STS is biased more toward on-road comfort than it is outright performance. Thankfully, it doesn’t have the classic “Cadillac float.” The four-wheel independent suspension uses short-long arms up front and a multi-link rear, and is tied down neatly; the STS feels heavy, but that’s partly because it’s a two-ton car. All-speed traction control and StabiliTrak stability control are standard equipment even on rear-wheel drive STS models.

All of that is good stuff, and the STS goes out the door at a competitive price, too. The base price for the luxury STS is $42,390, which matches or undercuts many of its competitors. Don’t think that makes this Caddy a less luxurious alternative, however; it’s the equal of any of its European or Japanese competition. My test car was optioned up with 18″ wheels, heated and cooled everything, the blind-spot alert and lane-departure warning and a host of other gear, and its $56,530 sticker is still more than worth it.

Specifications:

All specs are for the 2008 Cadillac STS.

Length: 196.3 in.

Width: 72.6 in.

Height: 57.6 in.

Wheelbase: 116.4 in.

Curb weight: 3857 lb.

Cargo space: 13.8 cu.ft.

Base price: $42,390

Price as tested: $56,530

Engine: 3.6 liter DOHC direct-injection 24-valve V6

Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

Horsepower: 302 @ 6300

Torque: 272 @ 5200

Fuel capacity: 17.5 gal.

Est. mileage: 17/26