Base Price: $33,490
Price as Tested: $45,295
Why We Drove It: The previous version of the Cadillac CTS was ranked in the top 3 in its class for Initial Quality last year, and showed a strong trend toward top rankings in Initial Quality during its lifetime. The redesigned Cadillac CTS is a Top Safety Pick according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
 
In surveys that J.D. Power and Associates has conducted with verified owners of the 2008 Cadillac CTS, the people that actually own and drive one told us:


 The suspension is terrible. Going over speed bumps is almost embarrassing 
 


 [The CTS features] attractive interior lighting. The indirect wraparound lighting is beautiful, and illumination of foot areas is quite nice. 


 [The CTS] has a tendency to accelerate too fast when wanting to accelerate slowly. The throttle pedal is too sensitive. 


 The comfort of driving the CTS is beyond description. 


 Overpriced option packages [meant that I] could not get a folding rear seat without ordering a $3000 option package. 


 For this car class there should be a lot more bells and whistles. 


 [The Cadillac CTS has] inadequate interior storage. The front door side pockets, console and glovebox are too small. 


 Handling and cornering are an absolute delight. [It] takes me back to when I was young. 


 Visibility around the car is poor [when] passing or maneuvering in close spaces. 


 The navigation and sound system is awesome. I love the hard drive for [storing] music. 


 The driving dynamics deserve the highest rating. I love the way it handles. 


 The 3.6-liter engine [gives] V8 performance [from] a V6 engine that runs on regular gas. 


Top 3 Things Owners Like About the Cadillac CTS:
1. Front-end styling
2. Side profile appearance and styling
3. Rear-end styling


Top 3 Owner-Reported Problems with the Cadillac CTS:
1. Brakes are noisy
2. HVAC Controls   Difficult to use/Difficult to see and read/Poor location
3. Door Locks   Broken or not working
