A Benchmark for Cadillac

To be named the 2008 Car of the Year by Motor Trend Magazine is no small accomplishment. There were some very heady competitors in the mix.

Having done some fairly exhaustive research on my own, the announcement from Motor Trend Magazine simply sealed the deal for me.

My first impression of the new CTS when I visited my local dealership was the new body style. I did kick the tires as I examined the car from every angle. Once I had satisfied my exterior vision I took a seat in the backseat of the car. Lets just say that I'm glad I'm not 6'4". However, at 5'11" I was OK, but just barely. It wasn't an issue with leg room, but with the ceiling in the car. The fact is I've been in many other cars where there wasn't the leg room or the ceiling height that I found in the CTS. It is satisfactory, but not stellar by any stretch.

My next stop was the drivers seat. My immediate response was to adjust the seat forward. I could barely reach the pedals, and as I moved forward I realized that the amount of leg room behind me had grown substantially. Had I been 6'4" the drivers seat would afford me plenty of leg room.

The dashboard and the interior of this car is absolutely beautiful. Everything within easy viewing and very accessible. The appointments throughout this car would be something one would expect in an automobile priced considerably higher then the CTS. It is not a cluttered mess of gauges and dials. This is a very user friendly driving cockpit.

Of course the clincher came with the test drive. I was in a CTS model with the Direct Inject Six Cylinder engine that generates 304 horsepower. Yes, it's all there! The acceleration with the vehicle was most impressive and once on the freeway I was able to run this automobile at a fairly decent clip. It begged for more and there was plenty more to give, but I'm not find of attending driving school or paying tickets. The car was flat out fast. Now, this is coming from someone who owns a Cadillac Seville SLS with the Northstar engine. I was much more impressed with the performance of the direct inject six cylinder then I was with my Northstar engine in the Seville.

Yes, after figuring out the options packages I wanted a lease was negotiated. The new CTS is in my driveway ready to be taken out for some Christmas shopping. Of course it will be at a shopping mall some distance away.