2017 Cadillac CTS 3.6L RWD

More spacious than the entry-level ATS and nimbler than the larger CT6, the Cadillac CTS is the American luxury brand’s Goldilocks product. It’s just right.

Following last year’s introduction of a new version of its mid-level V-6 engine, the CTS entered 2017 with a lightly restyled grille, a refreshed rear fascia, and a redesigned infotainment system. Cadillac also simplified its CTS lineup for the fourth model year of the third-generation car. The 3.6-liter V-6 is available in just two of the five trims: Luxury and Premium Luxury. The former starts at $54,690 and the latter, tested here, at $60,190. (Cadillac also sells the CTS with a turbocharged inline-four in the base and Luxury trims and with a twin-turbo V-6 in the V-Sport and V-Sport Premium Luxury. The CTS-V with a 640-hp supercharged V-8 is considered a separate model.)

Extra Six-y

The CTS’s new 3.6-liter V-6 shares little with its predecessor. Even its displacement is slightly larger, at 3649 cubic centimeters rather than 3564. Power is now rated at 335 horses, 14 more than before, while torque climbs to 285 lb-ft at 5300 rpm from the previous 275 at 4800 rpm. All that grunt is sent to the rear wheels by way of an eight-speed automatic transmission controllable by a pair of meaty steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters made of magnesium. We tested a rear-drive model, but all-wheel drive is available for $2000 more.

The added oomph paid dividends at the track, where this CTS went from zero to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds—0.3 second better than a 2014 rear-drive model with the older engine. A quarter-mile time of 14.2 seconds at 101 mph bested the previous 14.6-second run at 99 mph. But that’s not enough to trump the turbocharged six-cylinder BMW 540i, which eclipsed this Cadillac by a full second both to 60 mph and in the quarter-mile. The Bimmer also is rated at 335 horses but recorded a quarter-mile trap speed of 109 mph; credit its 332 lb-ft of torque developed over a broad rpm range and, perhaps, BMW’s conservative power ratings.

According to the EPA, the 3.6-liter CTS drinks 87 octane at a rate of 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Over the course of our time with the Caddy, we observed an average of 20 mpg and recorded 27 mpg in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test.

Added Lightness

This 3.6-liter CTS may not be the quickest option in its segment, but it certainly is among the most enjoyable to drive, as General Motors’ Alpha platform remains the gold standard for dynamic behavior in the mid-size luxury-sedan segment. The sturdy structure provides the CTS with both sharp reflexes and a comfortable ride, while ample use of aluminum components keeps the CTS’s heft in check. At 3795 pounds, this CTS weighed 276 pounds less than the aforementioned BMW 540i.

Thanks to a responsive and communicative electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering system, near 50/50 weight distribution, and a firm brake pedal with loads of feedback, the relatively lightweight CTS is an ideal partner on curvy roads. Our CTS Premium Luxury test car also benefited from standard adaptive dampers as well as the $1465 V-Sport package that adds specific suspension tuning, 13.6-inch front brake rotors (1.0 inch bigger than standard), a set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Run Flat summer tires, and a meatier three-spoke steering wheel.

Around our 300-foot skidpad this CTS gripped the tarmac at 0.94 g, matching the lateral adhesion of a $136,975 Audi RS7 Performance we tested. Meanwhile, the CTS’s standard Brembo front brake calipers worked with the V-Sport package’s stickier tires and bigger brake rotors to bring the CTS to a halt from 70 mph in a fade-free 153 feet.

Inferior Interior

Unfortunately, the CTS’s alluring chassis dynamics are let down by its interior. Fit and finish leave much to be desired, with our test car showing large panel gaps around the glovebox and noticeably misaligned wood trim. Additionally, this CTS featured a $395 dealer-installed, microsuede-wrapped steering wheel that feels great in your hands, but its appearance was cheapened by scrunches and wrinkles in the fabric.

The CTS still suffers a comparatively cramped rear seat with 35.4 inches of legroom, down two inches from that in the Audi A6 and an inch to the BMW 5-series. At least the 60/40 split-folding bench is well cushioned, and the Premium Luxury model adds heaters to the outboard rear seats and a separate climate zone for the aft compartment. (Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated and ventilated front buckets are standard even on the lower-level 3.6-liter Luxury.)

Our Premium Luxury test car also was equipped with the $2850 Technology package, which adds a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, aluminum pedals, 20-way power-adjustable front sport seats, automatically cinching seatbelts, an automated emergency braking system that operates when driving both forward and in reverse, adaptive cruise control, and additional security measures such as laminated rear windows and an upgraded alarm system. Other options included $1500 worth of Kona Brown leather seats, a coat of $595 Phantom Gray Metallic paint, a $525 dealer-installed rear spoiler, and a $250 extra-capacity cooling system, bringing this CTS’s as-tested price up to $67,770—$6080 more than the base price for the 420-hp CTS V-Sport.

CUE Wanted More

Every 2017 CTS delivered to dealers after March 2017 benefits from the latest iteration of the Cadillac User Experience, better known as CUE. The all-new infotainment system features logically arranged menus and a simplified home screen that can show a condensed navigation map, climate-control information, basic radio controls, and pertinent phone information all on a single page.

Anchored graphical buttons at the bottom-left corner of the 8.0-inch touchscreen make it easier to explore CUE’s countless functions without getting lost within the system’s many menus. The touchscreen also is more forgiving to slightly misaimed pokes and requires less fingertip pressure to respond. Not all issues have been solved, though, as CUE’s troublesome touch-capacitive stereo volume and climate controls remain.

Despite its imperfections, the Cadillac CTS remains the best vehicle that the American luxury brand produces—as well as one of the most engaging mid-size luxury sedans.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $67,770 (base price: $54,690)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 223 cu in, 3649 cc
Power: 335 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 285 lb-ft @ 5300 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.6 in
Length: 195.5 in
Width: 72.2 in Height: 57.2 in
Passenger volume: 97 cu ft
Trunk volume: 14 cu ft
Curb weight: 3795 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 26.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 101 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.94 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY:
Observed: 20 MPG
75-mph highway driving: 27 mpg
Highway range: 510 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
Combined/city/highway: 24/20/30 mpg