2010 Cadillac Cts Sport Wagon

Following Cadillac's successful launch of the 2003 CTS, XLR roadster, CTS-based SRX crossover, and STS sedan ' all designed based on Cadillac's "Art and Science" style motif, followed by the redesigned and reengineered 2008 CTS sport sedan, Cadillac brings us the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon, the first ever North American station wagon (not counting all those big truck-based Escalade SUVs). If all wagons looked this good, more automakers might still offer them. But few do any more, save European makers VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Saab. "Shooting brakes," as they are called in Europe, remain popular there, where most folks can afford only one car. But in North America, the land of SUVs and car-based crossovers, conventional wagons have lost their "cool."

The base engine, as in the CTS sedan, is a new 3.0-liter 24-valve DOHC direct-injected, variable-valve-timing V-6 good for a fairly strong 270 hp, while the available 3.6-liter version of the same high-tech V-6 offers 304 eager horses. Both are happily married to an electronically controlled six-speed automatic gearbox powering the rear wheels, or all four with available all-wheel drive.

Standard on that base model are 17-inch alloy wheels, Stabilitrak electronic stability control, four-wheel power disc brakes with ABS and traction control, AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 8-speaker audio, dual-stage front and both front and rear side curtain airbags and GM's OnStar convenience and security system with a one-year Directions and Connections subscription.

Among the major options are adaptive headlamps (that follow the steering), keyless access with remote start, a rear-view camera, LED ambient interior lighting, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, a summer-tire performance package, heated and ventilated seats, premium wood interior trim, an "Ultra-View" sunroof, advanced navigation with real-time traffic and weather, 10-speaker Bose audio, a 40-gig hard drive and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

The Cadillac has the most front legroom of the above five competitors, about the same rear legroom as the BMW and more than the Audi or either Volvo. On the other hand, its somewhat low roof gives it a bit less front headroom and one to two inches less in back vs. its taller rivals. Its 58 inches of cargo room (rear seats folded flat) is competitive, and its 18 EPA mpg city/27 highway fuel efficiency with its standard 3.0-liter V-6 is much better than the BMW's and Volvo V70's, but worse than the four-cylinder Audi's and the five-cylinder V50's.

Around town, on a 500-mile road trip, and on a tight, twisty racecourse, the CTS wagon proved as capable and satisfying as its well-received sedan counterpart. Its performance is good, its handling athletic, its steering crisp, its braking strong and stable, and its ride smile-inducing comfortable all day. If you like the CTS sedan, you'll likely love this handsome, highly capable wagon. Shop them all, but give this beauty a good, long look.

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